What to Watch This Weekend
With Most Top Leagues Off, MLS Owns the TV Spotlight
Jurgen Klinsmann doesn't want MLS to play on FIFA international dates, and we don't blame him. But the American top flight won't have to compete for eyeballs with European leagues this weekend.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL TEAM coach Jurgen Klinsmann didn't necessarily want to call in the likes of Alfredo Morales, Rubio Rubin, Emerson Hyndman, and Cody Cropper for Wednesday's friendly against the Czech Republic. A few key injuries, however, along with Major League Soccer's defiant scheduling policies, forced his hand.
ASN's Jeffrey Donovan wrote about the hubbub from Prague a few days ago, and I encourage you to 1) read his piece and 2) consider Klinsmann's point of view.
In the meantime, here is your curated guide to the best U.S.-centric soccer this weekend (all times Eastern).
10:30pm; NBCSN
Colorado has lost six in a row, Los Angeles has won four in a row, and there's nothing about this match that would suggest anything other than a lopsided victory for Bruce Arena's men. So why watch? Because Landon Donovan's career is winding down and Gyasi Zardes' is revving up. You have only a handful of chances left to see the iconic attacking midfielder before he hangs up his boots for good. And Zardes, a young striker who seems impossible to stop, is the most interesting uncapped American in MLS.
Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia
2pm; UDN, MLS Live
For all we know, Toronto FC GM Tim Bezbatchenko may be the smartest, most strategic executive in MLS, but it has to be said that the optics of his recent power play in Ontario are unreservedly bad. The sequence of events: 1) CEO Tim Leiweke announces imminent departure, creating power vacuum; 2) Bezbatchenko runs to media, publicly undermines Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen; 3) team loses badly; 4) Nelsen responds to GM's public rebuke; 5) Bezbatchenko fires Nelsen, installs his own guy, Greg Vanney, as team's ninth manager in eight years. Bezbatchenko, who had LOTS to say about Ryan Nelsen's shortcomings in recent weeks, was nowhere to be found after his guy lost to New England on Wednesday. How will the Toronto players respond to all of the front office chaos? Will the fans act out? And will Bezbatchenko be available for comment if Vanney's men lose again? New York Red Bulls vs. Sporting KC
7:30pm, NBCSN
Looking for a goal-fest this weekend? I suggest you start here. Peter Vermes' team has given up three goals in each of its last three contests—an almost unthinkable statistic given the quality of his players and the ambitions of the franchise. And thanks to its Thierry Henry/Bradley Wright-Phillips strike partnership, New York can score on pretty much anybody. Irresistible force, meet moveable object. Mexico vs. Chile
10pm, ESPN3
It’s El Tri—you’ve gotta keep tabs.
7pm, MLS Live
Let’s call this the Blind Draw Bowl. Both teams wanted U.S. national team star Jermaine Jones, but dumb luck granted the dreadlocked midfielder to New England. So far, so good: The Revolution are 2-0 with Jones, and the team can solidify its playoff standing with another victory against the Fire (which is scheduled to have a press conference later today. Hmmmm.) That's what we're watching this weekend. What about you? John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now.
Friday
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids10:30pm; NBCSN
Colorado has lost six in a row, Los Angeles has won four in a row, and there's nothing about this match that would suggest anything other than a lopsided victory for Bruce Arena's men. So why watch? Because Landon Donovan's career is winding down and Gyasi Zardes' is revving up. You have only a handful of chances left to see the iconic attacking midfielder before he hangs up his boots for good. And Zardes, a young striker who seems impossible to stop, is the most interesting uncapped American in MLS.
Saturday
Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia2pm; UDN, MLS Live
For all we know, Toronto FC GM Tim Bezbatchenko may be the smartest, most strategic executive in MLS, but it has to be said that the optics of his recent power play in Ontario are unreservedly bad. The sequence of events: 1) CEO Tim Leiweke announces imminent departure, creating power vacuum; 2) Bezbatchenko runs to media, publicly undermines Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen; 3) team loses badly; 4) Nelsen responds to GM's public rebuke; 5) Bezbatchenko fires Nelsen, installs his own guy, Greg Vanney, as team's ninth manager in eight years. Bezbatchenko, who had LOTS to say about Ryan Nelsen's shortcomings in recent weeks, was nowhere to be found after his guy lost to New England on Wednesday. How will the Toronto players respond to all of the front office chaos? Will the fans act out? And will Bezbatchenko be available for comment if Vanney's men lose again? New York Red Bulls vs. Sporting KC
7:30pm, NBCSN
Looking for a goal-fest this weekend? I suggest you start here. Peter Vermes' team has given up three goals in each of its last three contests—an almost unthinkable statistic given the quality of his players and the ambitions of the franchise. And thanks to its Thierry Henry/Bradley Wright-Phillips strike partnership, New York can score on pretty much anybody. Irresistible force, meet moveable object. Mexico vs. Chile
10pm, ESPN3
It’s El Tri—you’ve gotta keep tabs.
Sunday
New England vs. Chicago7pm, MLS Live
Let’s call this the Blind Draw Bowl. Both teams wanted U.S. national team star Jermaine Jones, but dumb luck granted the dreadlocked midfielder to New England. So far, so good: The Revolution are 2-0 with Jones, and the team can solidify its playoff standing with another victory against the Fire (which is scheduled to have a press conference later today. Hmmmm.) That's what we're watching this weekend. What about you? John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now.
