USMNT Oct 2-4 Champions League and Europa League viewing guide and open thread

We’re back with another midweek edition of the viewing guide and open thread, thanks in large part to the Wednesday Champions League matches featuring USMNT players. Here’s what we’ll be watching:

Wednesday

Paris Saint-Germain v Crvena Zvezda - 12:55p on Univision Deportes

There are four Champions League teams playing on Wednesday with United States internationals on the roster. Two of the players seem likely to feature, while the other two may be fortunate to find the bench. Timothy Weah unfortunately falls into this second category, as the 18-year-old has not made a match day squad in the past six weeks, even with a three game suspension for Kylian Mbappe and a more recent injury to Julian Draxler. Perhaps, if PSG are able to rack up enough points early in the group stage, Weah will get a chance for an appearance later on. But, it seems unlikely we’ll see him on the field tomorrow.

Lokomotiv Moscow v Schalke 04 - 12:55p on Univision Deportes en vivo or B/R Live

Weston McKennie and Schalke travel to Russia on Wednesday to take on Lokomotiv Moscow, who qualified for the Champions League by virtue of their first place finish in the Russian Premier League last season. Lokomotiv lost their group stage opener at Galatasaray 3-0 and will be looking to get things back on track at home. Schalke tied their opening Champions League match thanks to an assist from McKennie in the 1-1 home draw with FC Porto. McKennie made a substitute appearance in a return from injury this weekend as Schalke picked up their first points of the Bundesliga season.

Borussia Dortmund v AS Monaco - 3p on Univision Deportes en vivo or B/R Live

Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund host Monaco Wednesday afternoon in the second match-up of the day likely to feature a USMNT player. Dortmund began their Champions League group stage with a 1-0 win at Club Brugge thanks to a goal by Christian Pulisic, and they can put a lot of pressure on Monaco with a win at home. Monaco lost their opener at home to Atlético Madrid 2-1 and have work to do if they hope to progress out of the group stage. It’s been a disappointing start to the domestic season for Monaco, as well as they currently sit in 18th place with 6 points through 8 games

Other Notes:

• Ethan Horvath has made the bench in each of Club Brugge’s games this season and seems likely to be there with a front row seat against Atletico Madrid as well at 3p on Galavision.
• William Yarbrough’s Leon play Pumas UNAM in the Copa MX quarterfinals at 9:55p on Univision Deportes. Yarbrough has yet to play in League action this season but has started all five of Leon’s Copa matches, even serving as captain in three of the five.

Thursday

FC Astana v Stade Rennes - 10:50a on Univision Deportes

Stade Rennes and Jordan Siebatcheu opened their Europa League group stage with a win over Jablonec and will look to build on that when visiting FC Astana on Thursday. Astana drew 2-2 at Dynamo Kiev in their opener and will look to build on that offensive momentum. Siebatcheu’s minutes have been a little irregular for Rennes in league play but he started and played the full 90 in their win over Jablonec.

Anderlecht v Dinamo Zagreb - 12:55p on B/R Live

Kenny Saief has been seeing substitute minutes for Anderlecht since returning from injury two weeks ago, including 25 minutes off the bench in their 1-0 loss to Spartka Trnava in their first Europa League game. With both Zagreb and Trnava winning their opening games, Anderlecht will need to turn things around at home or they’ll find themselves in an early hole that will be difficult to crawl out of.

Malmö FF v Besiktas - 3p on B/R Live

Malmö FF also lost their opener and will need to turn things against an opening round winner in Besiktas. Romain Gall came on as a late substitute for Malmö in the loss to Genk in which they were outshot 24-2 and lost 2-0. Gall has 10 goals in 22 league appearances for Malmo this season, so perhaps he can provide an offensive boost for the team as they look to make a statement at home.

Other Notes:

• The U.S. Women’s National Team has their World Cup qualifying match Thursday night against Mexico at 7:30p on FS2 and Univision Deportes. Stars and Stripes FC will have full coverage of the match - One Nation. One Team. One Goal.
• Update: Here is the SSFC USWNT World Cup Qualifiers guide.