USMNT May 10-12 viewing guide and open thread

This weekend in the viewing guide Christian Pulisic will look to continue a strong finish to his Borussia Dortmund career, D.C. United continue to push for top position in the East, and Liga MX playoffs are underway. After a slow start on Friday things will be active over the weekend so let’s get to it.

Saturday

Borussia Dortmund v Fortuna Dusseldorf - 9:30a on FS1

Christian Pulisic got things started off right for Borussia Dortmund last weekend, scoring the opening goal just six minutes into the game.

Unfortunately, BVB saw all realistic hope of claiming the Bundesliga trophy this season when they coughed up a 2-0 lead to Werder Bremen and drew 2-2. The result saw them fall four points behind Bayern Munich who can clinch the title with a win on Saturday. Dortmund can mathematically stay alive with a win and a Bayern Munich draw but Bayern hold such a strong goal differential lead that even a point this weekend virtually assures them of a first place finish.

Given his strong showing last weekend and Marco Reus serving the second game of his suspension it seems likely that we’ll see Pulisic in action again this weekend when Dortmund face Fortuna Dusseldorf. Dusseldorf are coming off a 1-1 draw with S.C. Frieburg and don’t have much to play for the last two weeks of the season as they currently sit in 10th place, out of contention for a top six finish and easily free of the relegation zone as well. Alfredo Morales saw 20’ for Dusseldorf last weekend and has been hit-or-miss the past two months of the season with just one start since February and a handful of substitute appearances.

Other Notes:

• Tyler Adams will be out again this weekend as RB Leipzig face Bayern Munich at 9:30a on Univision Deportes. While we’ve not heard officially it wouldn’t be surprising if Adams has been shut down for the season. Leipzig have clinched a top four spot and have the luxury of taking the long term view with their young American.
• John Brooks has missed the past two games due to injury and is unavailable for Wolfsburg’s match against Stuttgart at 9:30a on FS2. Wolfsburg are currently in seventh place, tied on points with Borussia Monchengladbach and currently missing out on Europa League play due to goal differential where Gladbach has a three goal advantage.
• FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls will play at 2p on Univision Deportes. Aaron Long started and scored the Red Bulls lone goal in a 2-1 midweek loss to the Montreal Impact. Tim Parker also started for NYRB. FC Dallas are coming off a loss by the same scoreline to the Houston Dynamo. Paxton Pomykal and Edwin Cerrillo are among the U-20 callups who could see time for Dallas while Reggie Cannon are members of the senior side who could also see time.
• The LA Galaxy and New York City Football Club will play at 4p on ESPN. Sebastian Lletget and the Galaxy are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew while Sean Johnson and NYCFC are coming off a 2-0 win over Montreal. James Sands missed the game due to injury and is likely out this weekend as well.

Sunday

D.C. United v Sporting Kansas City - 7p on FS1

D.C. United will face Sporting K.C. in what should have been a match-up of top tier teams from each conference but thus far SKC have not lived up to the billing. Last years Western Conference winners are off to a rough start this season with just ten points through nine games, due primarily to a defense that has conceded 11 goals in their last three games. Matt Besler and Graham Zusi will look to tighten things up while Gedion Zelalem may make another appearance off the bench in search of his first MLS goal or assist.

On the other side D.C. United have seen things go more along the lines of expectations as they currently trail the Philadelphia Union only due to goal differential in the Eastern Standings. Russell Canouse returned from injury last weekend in United’s 3-1 win over Columbus and sent U-20 Chris Durkin back to the bench. Paul Arriola and Bill Hamid have started every game of the season for D.C. with Arriola picking up his second goal of the season last weekend against Columbus.

Other Notes:

• Eintracht Frankfurt will face twelfth place Mainz 05 at Noon on FS1 looking to move one step closer to Champions League qualifying. Currently Frankfurt are tied for 4th place with Bayer Leverkusen and hold a five goal advantage. Timothy Chandler saw his first minutes of the season last weekend, coming on late in Frankfurt’s embarrassing 6-1 loss to Leverkusen.
• Atlanta United and Orlando City will play at 2:30p on Fox. Atlanta were off to a surprisingly slow start this season but have been coming on strong lately having won their past three games. Brad Guzan, Miles Robinson, and Darlington Nagbe will see the field for Atlanta while George Bello has been ruled out for a couple of months which means Brek Shea is also likely to see additional time. Dom Dwyer will likely start for OCSC while Sacha Kljestan has come on as a sub in the past three games.
• Ventura Alvarado and Necaxa will face Monterrey at 9p on Fox Deportes in the second leg of their Clausura playoffs. Necaxa defeated Monterrey 1-0 in the first leg.

Let us know what you’re seeing or what else you’re watching this weekend in the comments below.