USNT weekend viewing guide: Finishing touches

It all comes down to this, all being the 2020-2021 season anyway. Chelsea FC and Borussia Dortmund look to clinch Champions League spots, Werder Bremen are staring relegation in the face, Barnsley look to come from behind in an attempt to achieve promotion, and Timothy Weah and Lille look to claim the Ligue 1 title on Sunday afternoon in what is a very important weekend for USMNT players across Europe. Let’s get to it.

Saturday

Werder Bremen v Borussia Mönchengladbach - 9:30a on ESPN+

Josh Sargent and Werder Bremen need some help to ensure safety but can wash away months of frustration on Saturday if they can manage a win against Borussia Monchengladbach. Werder haven’t won a match since early March and have managed just one draw since then as well. Last weekend’s loss to 14th place Augsburg, despite going up a man in the 14th minute, was the final straw for manager Florian Kohfeldt, who was dismissed before the final match of the season. Sargent has been starting regularly for the club, but is looking for his first goal since their last win in March. Werder can’t guarantee safety with a win, they would need an Arminia Bielefeld loss or draw as well to be completely safe though the win would guarantee they at least make the relegation playoff. A loss or draw combined with a Köln win over Schalke would mean straight relegation for Werder.

Werder Bremen’s opponents this weekend have plenty to play for themselves, as Borussia Mönchengladbach currently sit in 8th place, just one point back of FC Union Berlin for Conference League qualifying position.

Other notes:

• The Portland Timbers and LA Galaxy play at 3:30p on ABC. Sebastian Lletget scored the opening goal in the Galaxy’s 2-0 win over Austin FC last weekend.

Looking through the paywall:

• Cameron Carter Vickers and Bournemouth look to close out their 1-0 aggregate lead over Brentford in the promotion playoffs at 7:30a on ESPN+.
• Matthew Hoppe finishes out his season, and perhaps his career with Schalke, when the team face Köln at 9:30a on ESPN+. Hoppe picked up a goal and an assist in the teams 4-3 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
• John Brooks and Wolfsburg have clinched Champions League qualification and look to finish out their successful season against Mainz at 9:30a on ESPN+.
• Chris Richards has missed the past two matches for Hoffenheim with a hamstring injury. The team is securely mid-table so it makes no sense to rush him back at this time. They play Hertha Berlin at 9:30a on ESPN+.
• Tyler Adams has left RB Leipzig to recover from a back injury as their team has also solidified their second place position. The team close out their season against Union Berlin at 9:30a on ESPN+.
• Pellegrino Mattarazzo and Stuttgart could sneak into European competition with a win and some help in the form of losses by Union Berlin and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Regardless, it’s been a very successful team for the American manager and his recently promoted club, who close out their season against Arminia Bielefeld at 9:30a on ESPN+.
• Timothy Chandler got the rare start in last weekend’s loss to Schalke that eliminated them from Champions League contention. The team now finish their season against Freiburg at 9:30a on ESPN+ in a game that isn’t particularly significant for either team.
• Giovanni Reyna and Borussia Dortmund have come storming back to qualify for Champions League play next season and now enter the last game of the season with their place already secured. They close out their season against Bayer Leverkusen, who are guaranteed to finish their season in sixth place. The match will be played at 9:30a on ESPN+.
• FC Barcelona are winless in their last three matches and have fallen out of the race for the league title. They could fall as low as fourth but will qualify for Champions League regardless. They finish their season against last place Eibar at nooon on Fanatiz USA and beIN Sport.
• Yunus Musah did not make the matchday squad for Valencia last weekend, the team now finish their season against Huesca at noon on Fanatiz USA and beIN Sport.
• Daryl Dike and Barnsley will need to come back from a goal down against Swansea City on Saturday at 1:30p if they are to progress to the promotion final. The match can be seen on ESPN+.
• Orlando City SC face Toronto FC at 7p on ESPN+. Chris Mueller and Andres Perea came off the bench for OCSC last weekend, while Ayo Akinola, Michael Bradley, and Jozy Altidore all started for Toronto.
• Megan Rapinoe and the North Carolina Courage face Ali Krieger, Ashlyn Harris and the Orlando City Pride at 7p on Paramount+.
• James Sands, Keaton Parks and NYCFC take on Gyasi Zardes and the Columbus Crew at 7:30p on ESPN+.
• FC Dallas face Real Salt Lake at 8p on ESPN+ in a matchup of two of MLS’ youngest teams, including David Ochoa, Ricardo Pepi, Tanner Tessmann, and Paxton Pomykal.
• Matt Turner leads the New England Revolution in a matchup with a New York Red Bulls side who have recently lost Aaron Long to a season ending injury. The match will be at 8p on ESPN+.
• Mal Pugh and Julie Ertz look to help the Chicago Red Stars rebound from a 5-0 thumping at the hands of the Portland Thorns when they face Carli Lloyd and NJ/NY Gotham FC at 8p on Paramount+.
• Cade Cowell and the San Jose Earthquakes face Gideon Zelalem and Sporting Kansas City at 10p on ESPN+.
• LAFC and the Colorado Rapids finish off the day at 10:30p on ESPN+.

Sunday

Angers v Lille - 3p on Fanatiz USA and beIN Sport

The task is pretty straightforward for Timothy Weah and Lille: win this weekend and they will be crowned champions of Ligue 1. The team had a small stumble last weekend, as they settled for a scoreless draw but they still hold a one point lead in the standings over favorites PSG. If they are able to defeat 12th place Angers on Sunday, a team coming off a 3-2 loss to Marseille last weekend, it won’t matter what result PSG is able to see this weekend and Lille will be champions. Weah was an unused substitute last weekend and has seen just 23 minutes in the last four league matches, but will still have played a significant role this season for the league leaders.

Other notes:

• Christian Pulisic and Chelsea need a victory over Aston Villa on Sunday in order to clinch their place in the Champions League next season. The match will be played at 11a and can be seen on USA.
• The Seattle Sounders and Cristian Roldan take on Miles Robinson, George Bello, and Atlanta United on big Fox at 4:30p.
• The Portland Thorns look to avoid a letdown after their 5-0 victory when they face OL Reign at 6p on CBSSN. Lindsay Horan will feature for the Thorns, while recently returned Rose Lavelle looks to make an instant impact for the Reign.
• Nashville SC and Austin FC close out the weekend at 9p on FS1. Not a lot of USMNT impact in this one, but Walker Zimmermann will see the field for Nashville.

Looking through the paywall:

• Bryan Reynolds and Roma finish their season against Spezia at 2:45p on ESPN+. Roma need a victory to guarantee their place in Europa Conference League qualifying so it would be surprising to see Reynolds play a significant role.
• Weston McKennie and Juventus need a win and some help in order to qualify for next seasons Champions League competition. The team play Bologna at 2:45p on ESPN+.
• Paul Arriola has returned for a DC United team that face the Philadelphia Union at 7p on ESPN+. Both teams also have a couple of younger members to keep an eye on as well.

Let us know what you’re watching and the results you hope to see in the comments section below.