5 to Watch This Weekend
Will Julian Green Redeem Himself Against Bayern?
Where can you find the best American soccer this weekend—the most relevant games for fans of the U.S. national team? Start here, with these five matches.
YES, I KNOW THAT Manchester City hosts Chelsea Sunday at 11am Eastern and there's going to be some attractive soccer on display at that time. I'm also aware that there's pretty good AC Milan - Juventus matchup on Saturday at 2:45pm.
Those are great games. But this weekly column isn't designed to state the obvious and tell you when the big boys are lining up against one another in HD. The way I see it, you're smart enough to figure that out all by your lonesome.
No, this recurring feature is our attempt to guide you to the five best U.S.-centric soccer matches on any given weekend. If you're reading this, you're probably obsessed with the United States national team, and this curated guide is designed for you. So let's get on with it, shall we?
9:30am; GolTV
Julian Green's new team plays host to his former team—and all U.S. soccer fans will be hoping that the 19-year-old Tampa native has more to offer than he showed last week in his Bundesliga debut against Hannover. Green was subbed off at intermission in that contest, and rightfully so. He looked nervous and physically overmatched, but perhaps a week of training will give him the confidence he needs to show he's ready for the German top flight. Burnley vs. Sunderland
10am, NBC Live Extra
Take a look at the new ASN 100. Click on the "Position" tab. Select "Forward." The 19 players listed there are the top U.S.-eligible strikers on the planet, and, at least at the moment, it's not a particularly impressive group. Age issues, injuries, poor form, and unsettled club situations are plaguing the U.S. striker pool, which is why American fans will always be curious to see if Jozy Altidore is finally going to turn things around. Will he get a start this weekend and score a few against Burnley? We'll find out soon enough..jpg?1411164029
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Columbus vs. New England
7:30pm, MLS Direct Kick
New England has one of the most exciting young rosters in Major League Soccer, the third playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and Jermaine Jones kicking ass and taking names. (Yes, we're talking to you, Calum Mallace.) Columbus is clinging to the fifth and final spot in the east and is counting on the impressive youngster Wil Trapp to help keep the team above the red line. Both teams need a result, as Philadelphia is in sixth place and would gladly supplant either team in the MLS postseason. This one should be intense, and a lot of fun. New York vs. Seattle
7:30pm, NBC Sports Network
Clint Dempsey. Thierry Henry. Lamar Neagle. Bradley Wright-Phillips. DeAndre Yedlin. Tim Cahill. Osvaldo Alonso. And, oh yeah, the match has huge playoff ramifications for the Red Bulls while the Sounders will be hungry for a result in its pursuit for an MLS Treble.
11:30am, GolTV
Is Fabian Johnson worthy of his perch atop the ASN 100? Is he really better than Michael Bradley and Dempsey and Jones? I think so, but it's up to him to prove it week in, week out. Any chance to see him play qualifies as must-see TV for hardcore U.S. soccer fans, and that's why Gladbach makes the list. That's what I'm watching this weekend. What about you? John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now.
Saturday
Hamburg vs. Bayern Munich9:30am; GolTV
Julian Green's new team plays host to his former team—and all U.S. soccer fans will be hoping that the 19-year-old Tampa native has more to offer than he showed last week in his Bundesliga debut against Hannover. Green was subbed off at intermission in that contest, and rightfully so. He looked nervous and physically overmatched, but perhaps a week of training will give him the confidence he needs to show he's ready for the German top flight. Burnley vs. Sunderland
10am, NBC Live Extra
Take a look at the new ASN 100. Click on the "Position" tab. Select "Forward." The 19 players listed there are the top U.S.-eligible strikers on the planet, and, at least at the moment, it's not a particularly impressive group. Age issues, injuries, poor form, and unsettled club situations are plaguing the U.S. striker pool, which is why American fans will always be curious to see if Jozy Altidore is finally going to turn things around. Will he get a start this weekend and score a few against Burnley? We'll find out soon enough.
Columbus vs. New England7:30pm, MLS Direct Kick
New England has one of the most exciting young rosters in Major League Soccer, the third playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and Jermaine Jones kicking ass and taking names. (Yes, we're talking to you, Calum Mallace.) Columbus is clinging to the fifth and final spot in the east and is counting on the impressive youngster Wil Trapp to help keep the team above the red line. Both teams need a result, as Philadelphia is in sixth place and would gladly supplant either team in the MLS postseason. This one should be intense, and a lot of fun. New York vs. Seattle
7:30pm, NBC Sports Network
Clint Dempsey. Thierry Henry. Lamar Neagle. Bradley Wright-Phillips. DeAndre Yedlin. Tim Cahill. Osvaldo Alonso. And, oh yeah, the match has huge playoff ramifications for the Red Bulls while the Sounders will be hungry for a result in its pursuit for an MLS Treble.
Sunday
FC Koln vs. Borussia Monchengladbach11:30am, GolTV
Is Fabian Johnson worthy of his perch atop the ASN 100? Is he really better than Michael Bradley and Dempsey and Jones? I think so, but it's up to him to prove it week in, week out. Any chance to see him play qualifies as must-see TV for hardcore U.S. soccer fans, and that's why Gladbach makes the list. That's what I'm watching this weekend. What about you? John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now.
