USMNT Aug 10-12 viewing guide and open thread

The Premier League season kicks off this weekend along with Ligue 1 which, combined with leagues like Liga MX and MLS already being in action is really starting to fill up the weekend viewing opportunities. In addition, the German Super Cup this weekend is likely to feature at least one American with a possibility that a second will see the field as well.

Friday

Morelia v Necaxa - 10p on Univision Deportes

Kick off the weekend with a little Liga MX action as Ventura Alverado’s Necaxa side take on Morelia Friday night on Univision Deportes. Necaxa have won two of three to start the season with Alverado playing the full ninety at center back in all three.

Saturday

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur - 7:30a on NBCSN and Universo

The English Premier League season kicks off this weekend with the first American action coming Saturday morning when DeAndre Yedlin and Newcastle United take on Tottenham Hotspur. Newcastle finished in 10th place in the EPL last season with Yedlin playing in 34 straight games, including 31 starts during that time.

Schalke 04 v Fiorentina - 10a on ESPN3

The Bundesliga season doesn’t kick off until August 24th so the clubs are in preseason action this weekend. Weston McKennie’s Schalke squad finished a distant second in the Bundesliga last season and he should have a number of opportunities to impress this season as the club will be playing in the Champions League in addition to their regular Bundesliga schedule.

Lobos BUAP v Atlas - 6p on ESPN Deportes

A pair of USMNT players face off south of the border as Michael Orozco’s Lobos take on Omar Gonazlez’s Atlas. Atlas are still looking for their first win, having lost two and picked up one draw in their first three with Gonzalzez having started in two of the three games. Lobos BUAP have won two of three, most recently loosing to Necaxa. Orozco has started all three games at center back and gone the full 90 in each.

Quick hits on other potential games of interest:

Werder Bremen (Josh Sargent) v. Villarreal - 8:30a on ESPN3 - Preseason for Werder Bremen as well, Aron Johannson is out for several months but perhaps there will be a Josh Sargent sighting for the preseason match?

Borussia Monchengladbach (Fabian Johnson) v Espanyol - 9:30a on ESPN3 - Fabian Johnson and Gladbach take on Espanyol in preseason action.

Leon (William Yarbrough) v Querataro - 8p on ESPN Deportes - Yarbrough seems to have been pushed to the role of second keeper.

America (Joe Corona) v Monterrey - 10p on Univision - Joe Corona and America take on a Monterrey team that, much to the chagrin of US fans, doesn’t have any USMNT players on it.

Sunday

Eintracht Frankfurt v Bayern Munich - German Super Cup - 2:30p on FS2

The German Super Cup pits the runaway winners of the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich, against the team that defeated them in the 2017-18 DFB-Pokal Final, Eintracht Frankfurt. Frankfurt’s Timothy Chandler struggled a bit with injuries early in the ‘17-18 season but came back mid-way through the season and for a period of time was one of the hottest American’s playing abroad. The German Super Cup isn’t the most premier of competitions but it’s always nice to win a trophy and Chandler will likely see significant minutes.

Paris Saint-Germain v Caen - 3p on beIN Sports

Paris Saint-Germain kick off their Ligue 1 season with a match-up against Caen. It remains to be seen how much playing time (if any) Weah will get with the team this season, he started the French Super Cup, but several players had not yet returned from their post World Cup time-off. The fact that he remains with the team would seem to indicate that coach Thomas Tuechel has a role in mind for Weah but it remains to be seen what that might be. Perhaps we’ll have an early indication this weekend as PSG kick off their season.

Toronto FC v New York City FC - 4p on ESPN

Perhaps Toronto FC have finally turned things around, they tied with Atlanta United on a last gasp goal after winning their last two. The resurgence coincides with the return of Jozy Altidore who has a goal and an assist in the three games since he’s returned to play. Michael Bradley continues to be a regular for the team, with Marky Delgado seeing time as well. Toronto are now in ninth place in the East, 6 point back of the final playoff spot with 12 games remaining in the season.

NYCFC sit in third place in the East with nearly twice as many points as Toronto and are coming off a 2-2 draw with Vancouver. However, as per the usual, there’s not much to see from the American’s perspective on this side of the ball.

Quick hits on other potential games of interest:

Borussia Dortmund (Christian Pulisic) v Lazio - 11:30a on ESPN Deportes / ESPN3 - Pulisic and Dortmund continue their preseason with a match-up against Lazio.

DC United v Orlando City SC - 8p on FS1 - The return of Billy Hamid as DC United take on OCSC. Other USMNT players potentially appearing include Paul Arriola, Chris Durkin, Dom Dwyer, and Sacha Kljestan.

Tijuana (Rubio Rubin) v Crus Azul - 9:06p on Fox Deportes - Rubin did not make it on the pitch for Tijuana’s most recent match, he’s likely a 50/50 bet to play Sunday.

Seattle Sounders v Dallas FC - Christian Roldan, Clint Dempsey and company take on Jesse Gonzalez, Reggie Cannon and FC Dallas.