USMNT Jan 11-13 viewing guide and open thread

We’re back with some more typical previews after a couple of irregular weekends, as the EPL is back in action and Liga MX has kicked off their second season as well. We’ll have to wait one more week for the Bundesliga to return to action, but there are a handful of games to catch this weekend, including DeAndre Yedlin’s Newcastle team in action.

Friday

Veracruz v Lobos BUAP - 8p on Univision Deportes

Michale Orozco’s Lobos BUAP got things started on the right foot last weekend with a 2-0 win over Santos Laguna who had finished the fall season in fourth place. Orozco started at center back for BUAP and played the full 90 in the teams win. Orozco started and played every minute of the Fall campaign for Lobos so would seem likely to continue to receive consistent playing time. This week Orozco and Lobos will take on a Veracruz team that finished dead last in the Apertura.

Atlas v America - 10p on Univision Deportes

Omar Gonzalez started and went 90 for Atlas in their opener last Saturday, a 2-1 win over Queretaro. The goals were a welcome sight for Atlas, as they only managed 11 goals through 17 games in the Apertura, a pace that was worst in the league though they managed to finish a point above Veracruz narrowly avoiding last place. Gonzalez was a regular starter for Atlas in the Fall and it’s good to see him maintain that coming into the Clausura. He did pick up a yellow card just six minutes into the game but was able to put that behind him and plan the full 90’.

Saturday

Chelsea v Newcastle - 12:30p on NBC

There’s no Christian Pulisic yet for Chelsea, but DeAndre Yedlin should see the field for Newcastle in a game that’s being broadcast nationally on NBC. Yedlin has started nearly every game for Newcastle this season having missed one due to injury, another due to red card suspension and starting the following game on the bench as well, perhaps also fallout from his red card.

Unfortunately, the match for which Yedlin was suspended is the only win Newcastle has gotten in their past eight attempts. The team currently sits in 15th place in the Premier League table. On the bright side for fans of the American defender the main culprit in both cases has been their inability to score as they have just 15 goals through 21 matches, a pace that’s only marginally better than Huddesfield Town’s league worst 13 goals.

Other Notes:

• William Yarbrough was back on the bench for Leon on Saturday. In the fall, Yarbrough rode the bench most of the season (though he did play every Cup match) before starting four of the last five for Leon down the stretch. The fact that he was back on the bench does not seem promising. Leon face Monterrey at 6p on FS1.
• Jonathan Suarez Cortes saw 12 minutes off the bench for Queretaro last weekend in their 2-1 loss to Atlas. The team plays Pachuca this weekend at 8:06p on ESPN Deportes.
• Ventura Alvarado was the team captain and scored a goal in Necaxa’s Thursday cup win over second tier San Luis. They turn right around and face Pumas UNAM at 10p Saturday in a game that can be seen on ESPN Deportes.
• Joe Corona’s loan with Club America ended and he returned to Tijuana over the winter break. Corona did not make it off the bench in his first game back with the team, a 2-0 loss to Chivas. Tijuana face Tigres UANL at 10p on FS1.

Let us know what you’re watching this weekend and how things are going for the USMNT players in action in the comments section below.