USMNT Dec 21-23 viewing guide and open thread

There are just three Bundesliga games of USMNT interest being broadcast nationally this weekend before they head to their winter break and take the next month off. On top of that, two of the three games are likely to have substitute appearances at best. Having said that, here are the opportunities you might be able to take advantage in watching.

Friday

Borussia Dortmund v Borussia Mönchengladbach - 2:30p on FS1

The first game of the weekend features a matchup of the top two teams in the Bundesliga, neither of whom is named Bayern Munich which is a bit unexpected halfway through the season. Dortmund stumbled for the first time this season in their 2-1 loss to Fortuna Düsseldorf Tuesday, which was also Christian Pulisic’s first League start in two and a half months. To be fair, Pulisic did start every Champions League match during that time for which he was available (missing one due to injury). Given Favre’s usage patterns, it seems likely that Pulisic will make at best a substitute appearance in today’s game.

On the other side of the ball, Fabian Johnson also started for the first time since September in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s midweek 2-0 win over Nurnberg, a result that pulled the team within six points of first place Dortmund. Prior to the start, Johnson had been making substitute appearances in about half of the teams matches, not seeing the field in the others.

While the matchup of first and second place teams certainly sounds like a good one on paper, and should be worth watching regardless, it’s probably best not to get your hopes up for an extended appearance from either American in this game.

Saturday

RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen - 9:30a on FS1

Tyler Adams will be joining RB Leipzig shortly, but at least for the time being there are no Americans to watch on the Leipzig side of the ball for a fourth place team coming off a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich.

On the other side of things, we have a ninth place Werder Bremen team coming off a 1-1 midweek draw with Hoffenheim, a game in which Josh Sargent made the bench but failed to appear. Florian Kohfeldt continues to preach patience for the young American forward so it seems unlikely we’ll see anything more than a substitute appearance at most in this game as well.

Sunday

Augsburg v Wolfsburg - 9:30a on FS1

The third and final broadcast game of the weekend is the most likely to feature an American as John Brooks has started and gone the full 90 in every game in which he’s been available, missing one due to yellow card accumulation. Wolfsburg are in 6th place midway through the season and are coming off a 2-0 win over Stuttgart. This week they’ll be facing an Augsburg team that is looking for their first win since October.

Let us know what you’re seeing or what other matches you’re following in the comments below.