USMNT Sept 14-16 viewing guide and open thread

There are a number of viewing opportunities this weekend, as many 13 featuring former, current or potential future USMNT players, but they may be impacted by player availability, beginning with Friday’s game between Dortmund and Frankfurt.

Friday

Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt - 2:30p on FS1

Christian Pulisic remained in Germany over they international break due to “muscular problems” and manager Lucian Favre said on Wednesday that he was unlikely to play Friday as his recovery is ongoing.

Pulisic’s injury is not serious and it sounds like he is close to returning but USMNT will likely not have the chance to catch him this afternoon.

Other Notes:

It was hoped that Timothy Weah might see some minutes with Kylian Mbappe’s 3 game suspension but he’s been left off Friday’s squad, perhaps due to travel (Neymar was also left off the squad).

Saturday

RB Leipzig v Hannover 96 - 9:30a on FS2

Bobby Wood played 45’ off the bench in Hannover’s last game before the international break, a 0-0 draw with Dortmund. It remains to be seen if his international travels impact his availability for Saturday’s match. Wood played just 10’ minutes on Tuesday so he should be reasonably well rested, even given the rigors of international travel. Hannover have settled for two draws in their first two games, managing just one goal. They’ll be taking on an RB Leipzig team that has given up 5 goals in their first two and is still looking for their first win.

Borussia Moenchengladbach v Schalke 04 - 12:30p on FS2

Fabian Johnson and Gladbach are off to a fine start on the season, in fifth place through just two games with Johnson picking up a goal in their 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to start the season.

Gladbach are taking on a Schalke team that has lost their first two and may be without Weston McKennie who scared USMNT by coming out early on Tuesday evening with a non-contact knee injury. However, more recent reports have been positive and it sounds like McKennie may even be available for Saturday’s game:

Other Notes:

Tim Ream continues to miss time with what has been revealed to be a back injury, his return is unknown but he’ll miss Fulham’s game Saturday against Manchester City (NBCSN).

The Colorado Rapids with Tim Howard, Edgar Castillo, and Kellyn Acosta will be taking on Atlanta United with Brad Guzan and Michael Parkhurst in a game that could be a painful reminder both of how good our goalkeeper situation was and how far these two have dropped off. The game is on Univision and Twitter at 3:30p

William Yarbrough has struggled to see time for Leon this season, though he did somehow pick up a yellow card from their bench in their last game. Their game is on Univision Deportes at 5p this weekend.

Joe Corona has been on the bench for the last four games for America who face off against Morelia at 8p on Univision.

Ventura Alvarado has been a regular 90 minute performer at CB for a Necaxa who sit in 15th place, they play first place Cruz Azul at 9:45p on Unimas

Sunday

D.C. United v New York Red Bulls - 1p on ESPN

Russell Canouse, Bill Hamid, Paul Arriola and Chris Durkin have been recent contributors for a D.C. United team trying to make a late push for the MLS playoffs. They sit two points back with a game in hand and five games remaining on their schedule. Arriola was with the USMNT recently for their game against Brazil before being sent back to D.C. ahead of the game against Mexico. Hamid does not seem to be in the picture currently while Canouse also hasn’t been called in since Camp Cupcake in January but his recent performances have some fans wondering if that could change soon.

D.C. United will have their work cut out for them against a NYRB team making a push for the Supporters Shield and featuring the USMNT’s lone goal scorer from the recent International Break.

Other notes:

Michael Orozco and Lobos BUAP will look for just their second win of the season against Pumas UNAM at 1p on Univision.

The Chicago Fire and Orlando City SC face off at 5p on FS1.

Omar Gonzales’ Atlas team finally picked up their first goal of the season in their 8th game, however they’re still looking for their first win. They’ll look to get it against Tijuana at 7p on Univision. Rubio Rubin has failed to appear in the last four games for Tijuana.