USMNT midweek viewing guide: It’s finally here!

There have been a lot of requests for a midweek match thread, especially with so many Americans in the Champions League this year. So here it is! The first Stars and Stripes FC midweek viewing guide, and in bullet-point format, since most of the games are not televised. It’s a relatively quiet week, with over a month until the next Champions League or Europa League action, but there are still a few Americans with midweek league or cup action. Let’s get into it:

Tuesday

• Sheffield United v Newcastle United - 1p: DeAndre Yedlin looks to continue his run of form against the worst side in this year’s Premier League, as Sheffield United have only managed 2 points from 17 matches so far.
• Sunderland v Port Vale - 1p: Lynden Gooch and Sunderland face fourth-tier side Port Vale in the EFL Trophy matchup.
• Dundee United v St Johnstone - 1:30p: American duo Ian Harkes and Dillon Powers have both been regulars with Dundee United, helping them gain promotion to the Scottish Premiership last year.
• Luton Town v Queens Park Rangers - 2p: Geoff Cameron and US U-20 Charlie Kelman face Luton; their QPR side is close to the relegation places in the Championship.
• Bournemouth v Millwall - 2:45p: Cameron Carter-Vickers made an impressive return from injury at the weekend for Bournemouth, who are well-positioned for the Championship playoff as things stand.
• Heracles Almelo v FC Emmen - 3p on ESPN+: Luca de la Torre has appeared off the bench in the last several games for Heracles, they face Eredivisie foe Emmen. US right back Desevio Payne is on the books at Emmen, but hasn’t been in the squad of late.
• Wolves v Everton - 3:15p: Owen Otasowie looks to continue his burgeoning early Premier League career against the Toffees.
• Pumas Tabasco v Tapatio - 8:05p: Our evening viewing comes from the Liga de Expansión, Mexico’s newly-reorganized second division, as former US U-20 winger Jonathan Suárez looks to continue his regular play for Pumas UNAM’s reserve side.

This one is actually on TV:

• Bayer Leverkusen v Eintracht Frankfurt - 2:45p on ESPN Deportes: Timmy Chandler has seen his minutes dwindle this fall; his Frankfurt side faces Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal.

Wednesday

• Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion - 1p: Zack Steffen has been given a precious opportunity with City first-choice stopper Ederson sidelined due to covid. City could jump to 3rd from 5th in the table with a win over Brighton, who are only 3 points above the drop.
• Juventus v Genoa - 2:45p on ESPN+: Your favorite American, Weston McKennie, faces Genoa in the Coppa Italia round of 16.
• Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham - 3:15p: Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream will look to slow down Spurs’ counter-attack, and one of Europe’s top scoring duos in Harry Kane and Son.
• Lanús v Velez Sarsfield - 7:30p: Two Argentine sides face off in Copa Sudamericana action. 18-year-old dual-national GK Rocco Rios has made the bench for Lanús twice already in 2021. Rios was born in Los Angeles, but played with Argentina at last year’s U-17 World Cup, and has been with their U-20s as well.

These ones are actually on TV:

• Holstein Kiel v Bayern Munich - 2:45p on ESPN 3: Chris Richards will look for minutes as Bayern face the 2. Bundesliga side in the early rounds of the DFB-Pokal.
• Real Sociedad v FC Barcelona - 3p on ESPN Deportes: Dest and Konrad will look to give Barça a boost in their Supercopa semifinal against David Silva and La Real.

Thursday

• Heerenveen v Waalwijk - 12:45p: Uly Llanez will look for more minutes as Heerenveen continue their Eredivisie season against Waalwijk, who sit just two points above the relegation zone.
• FC Twente v Ajax - 2p on ESPN+: It’s unlikely a USMNT player will appear in this Eredivisie matchup, as Netherlands dual-national CB Kik Pierie faces Ajax, who loaned him to Twente. Alex Mendez has played exclusively for Jong Ajax since pre-season friendlies, but you never know who Ajax will slip into their squad.
• Arsenal v Crystal Palace - 3p: This Premier League tie could feature Folarin Balogun, who has appeared in the Europa League, but not yet in the league. Balogun is widely rumored to be leaving Arsenal this window.

So there it is, the first-ever midweek match thread. Let us know what you’re looking forward to in the comments section below!