5 to Watch This Weekend
Where Is the Best U.S. Soccer Action? It's Right Here
What are you doing this weekend? Watching soccer? Watching Americans play soccer? Great. Us, too. Jon Arnold provides his weekly look at the five best games that should be on your screen.
BY
Jon Arnold
Posted
December 14, 2012
9:49 AM
Last week brought us a pair of showdowns featuring U.S. national team members on both squads. We’re not quite as lucky this week, but we still have a USMNT v. USMNT match to take in along with several other football treats. Here’s what to watch this weekend:
SATURDAY
Liverpool v. Aston Villa
10 a.m. (all times Eastern)
FoxSoccer2Go
Last week not only saw Brad Guzan keep a clean sheet for Villa, but also had an appearance from Eric Lichaj as well. The defender played well, but also made a midweek appearance, so you’ll have to tune in to see if he gets another shot. Guzan will seek to keep Liverpool off the scoresheet.
Everton v. Stoke City
10 a.m.
FoxSoccer2Go, Tape Delayed on Fox Soccer at noon
Tim Howard wasn’t able to keep Clint Dempsey off the board, though the netminder got the last laugh as Everton hit back with two late goals to win. Howard's USMNT foe this week will be easier to stop. Geoff Cameron doesn’t score often for the Potters, but he’s a versatile part of their defense and should feature prominently Saturday.
SUNDAY
Tottenham v. Swansea
8:30 a.m.
Fox Soccer
December might be a cooler month, but Dempsey has been on fire. He scored last week and has also been serving up luscious assists that are turning once-doubting Spurs fans into believers. Will Brad Friedel get the start as well?
Hoffenheim v. Borussia Dortmund
9:30 a.m.
GolTV
Fair warning: This probably won’t be pretty for Americans Fabian Johnson and Danny Williams. Dortmund has a tremendous attack and Hoffenheim, struggling Williams included, are still adjusting to their interim coach. With that said, you never know when the American duo will bust out with a goal or move that’ll get talked about around the water cooler... if you work at an office full of USMNT superfans, that is.
Werder Bremen v. Nuremberg
11:30 a.m.
GolTV
Timmy Chandler said he’s fully commited to the U.S. national team. You could wait and see if he suits up in Honduras, or you could be fully committed to watching his club matches on television in December. These two clubs are sitting 12th and 13th and could use a boost. Chandler got great ratings in last week’s win against Fortuna Dusseldorf. See if he can continue the strong showings this week for "The Legend."
BEST OF THE REST
Find a stream of Michael Bradley taking on former club Chievo or Sacha Kljestan and massively favored Anderlecht against OH Leuven with your Belgian waffle.
NO U.S. ANGLE BUT...
La Liga: FC Barcelona v. Atletico Madrid (2:55 p.m. Sunday, beIN Sport)—A one versus two matchup in Spain will give Atletico a chance to assert themselves as real title contenders.
Club World Cup: Corinthians v. Chelsea (5:30 a.m. Sunday, Fox Soccer)—This is a kind of goofy competition, but the final this year will actually present an interesting match up between the South American and European champions. If you’re up way too early or stayed out way too late, it’s sure to be the best thing on TV.
So what are you watching this weekend? Which matches did we miss that we should tune in for? Let us know in the new and improved comments section.
Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) is a freelance writer based in Phoenix and the co-host of MLS in 30 on NASN.TV.
December 14, 2012
9:49 AM