USMNT viewing guide: Putting all our chips on Saturday

Thank heavens for Saturday! Overall the weekend slate is a bit weak this weekend, further diminished by Josh Sargent’s injury keeping him out of action on Sunday, but there are some solid options on Saturday including Pulisic, McKennie, Morales, and Steffen in action. Due to the way the schedule breaks down we’ll be focused on Saturday this weekend but give you a couple tidbits for Friday and Sunday as well.

Friday Notes

• Sergino Dest and Ajax will be in action on Friday afternoon at 2:15p on ESPN+. Dest has come off the bench for his teams past three league games, albeit still getting significant minutes. The club has a Champions League game midweek followed by a top of the table match-up next weekend against AZ Alkmaar so it seems likely that Dest will see significant time over the next week.
• Timothy Chandler and Eintracht Frankfurt face Jurgen Klinsmann and Hertha Berlin at 2:30p on FS2. Chandler was not in the squad for Frankfurt on Monday, the fourth straight match in which he has not appeared. Klinsmann is looking for his first win in his new role after loosing to Borussia Dortmund last weekend 2-1.

Saturday

Everton v Chelsea - 7:30a on NBCSN

Christian Pulisic started his eight straight match on Wednesday, a 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Chelsea also have a Champions League match next week so it wouldn’t be shocking to see Pulisic get a bit of rest but his form continues to be strong for the fourth place team. This weekend Chelsea will play an Everton side that has just 14 points through 15 games and currently sit in 18th place, the final relegation spot. The weak opponent could be another excuse to give Pulisic some rest ahead of their Champions League match against Lille next Tuesday.

Borussia Dortmund v Fortuna Dusseldorf - 9:30a on FS2

Alfredo Morales got the game tying assist and Zack Steffen allowed one goal on six shots on target last weekend as Fortuna Dusseldorf drew 1-1 with Hoffenheim. The point was enough to keep Dusseldorf out of a tie for the relegation playoff spot with Hertha Berlin. This weekend Steffen is once again likely to see a number of shots as the team plays fifth place Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund haven’t been without their struggles this season including a shock draw to SC Paderborn two weeks ago but remain a dangerous side.

Other Notes:

• Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayern Munich face off Saturday in a crucial match for the top of the table. Gladbach currently sit in first place, one point ahead of RB Leipzig, and four points ahead of fourth place Bayern. Fabian Johnson has returned to the bench following a long injury layoff but has not seen any match minutes since August. The match will be played at 9:30a on FS1
• Weston McKennie and Schalke will play Bayer Leverkusen at 12:30p on FS2 with both teams looking to make their own push to the top of the table. Schalke sit in third place, three points back of the league leaders and while Leverkusen are in 7th they remain just six points back of first and two points out of a coveted Champions League spot.

Sunday Notes

• Out of nowhere Owen Otasowie has made a couple appearances on the bench for the Wolverhampton Wanderers, most recently their 1-1 draw against Sheffield United last weekend. While he still hasn’t seen the field and was not in the squad midweek this is one we’ll continue to keep half an eye on. It would be a significant development for the young man to see minutes for the fifth place EPL side. The team plays Brighton this Sunday at 11:30a on NBCSN.
• Werder Bremen will be facing last place Paderborn on Sunday at Noon on FS1. Unfortunately the afforementioned injury to Josh Sargent will keep him out through the winter break.

Let us know what you’ll be tuning into this weekend and follow along with the community as we track all the activity in the comments section below.