USMNT Aug 30-Sept 1 viewing guide and open thread

It’s a decent weekend of European action headlined by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Zack Steffen all playing in televised games. There are a few others in action as well though the weekend is dampened a bit by injuries to Tyler Adams and Timothy Weah that will keep them out of their respective teams’ matches. Here’s what we’ll be watching this weekend.

Friday

Borussia Monchengladbach v RB Leipzig - 2:30p on FS2

As was previously mentioned Tyler Adams won’t be available for RB Leipzig yet as he’s reportedly still a couple of weeks from a return from injury but on the opposite side of the field Fabian Johnson will likely see time for Borussia Monchengladbach. Johnson got the start last weekend for Gladbach and went 81’ in a 3-1 win over Mainz. It was Johnson’s first start of the year and he’s not a guaranteed starter but he does seem like a key piece for the team and he did see nearly 30 minutes in the teams only other game thus far this season. Gladbach and Leipzig both have top four aspirations this season and this is a key early season matchup for the two teams.

Saturday

Schalke 04 v Hertha Berlin - 9:30a on FS2

Weston McKennie and Schalke are looking for their first win and first goal of the season when they face Hertha Berlin on Saturday. Schalke are coming off a 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich following a scoreless draw to start the season. The team had a pretty rough 2018-19 season and would certainly like to rebound this year but they’ll need to find a way to consistently score some goals to make that happen. This weekend they’ll be facing a Hertha Berlin team that also opened the season with a draw (2-2 with Bayern Munich) before losing 3-0 to Wolfsburg last weekend.

Chelsea v Sheffield United - 10a on NBCSN

It’s time for some dual screen action because 30 minute after Weston McKennie takes the field with Schalke his Thanksgiving buddy Christian Pulisic will be kicking off with Chelsea when they face Sheffield United. Chelsea are coming off their first win of the season, a 3-2 win over Norwich City that saw Christian Pulisic pick up the assist on Chelsea’s second goal.

This weekend Chelsea are facing a Sheffield United team coming off a 2-1 loss to Leicester but who are fitting in just fine so far with four points in their first three games since being promoted to the Premier League.

Sunday

Eintracht Frankfurt v Fortuna Dusseldorf - Noon on FS1

It’s some good old fashioned USMNT v USMNT action on Sunday when Timothy Chandler’s Eintracht Frankfurt side takes on Zack Steffen, Alfredo Morales, and the rest of the Fortuna Dusseldorf side. Chandler has just 13 minutes of league action so far this year (though he did notch one assist in those few minutes) but he may see some additional time this weekend with Frankfurt coming off a Thursday Europa League match.

Across the pitch we will almost certainly see Zack Steffen and somewhat surprising (though certainly deserving) September call-up Alfredo Morales play a full 90’ for Fortuna Dusseldorf. Both players have seen the full 90 in their teams’ first two games, a 3-1 win over Werder Bremen followed by a 3-1 loss to Bayern Leverkusen, with Morales providing the assist on Dusseldorf’s loan goal.

Other Notes:

• Werder Bremen will face Augsburg at 9:30a on FS1 looking for their first points of the season. Josh Sargent has seen limited action thus far this season.
• The Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy matchup at 6:30p on FS1. Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan will see the field for the Sounders while fellow September call up Sebastian Lletget will play for the Galaxy.