USMNT weekend viewing guide: A super weekend

It’s a super weekend with a super important game! We’re talking of course about Americans going head-to-head in the Bundesliga again this weekend when RB Leipzig and Schalke 04 meet on Saturday morning. In all seriousness, it’s another pretty full weekend that includes a lot of Bundesliga action, Fulhamerica on NBC, and even a potential (though pretty unlikely) matchup of Americans in Serie A. Let’s get to it!

Saturday

Schalke 04 v RB Leipzig - 9:30a on ESPN+

Matthew Hoppe has inevitably cooled off since his ridiculous run of five goals in three games that was obviously unsustainable. His team did squeeze out a point last weekend against Werder Bremen but still sit 9 points back of safety, a number which is even more daunting when you realize they’ve managed just 8 points this season.

To make matters worse, Schalke will be facing second place RB Leipzig this weekend, though Leipzig have shown that they can fall asleep a bit as they did two weeks ago in a shocking loss to Mainz 05. Tyler Adams has started three straight for Leipzig including their midweek DFB-Pokal victory over vfl Bochum. The race for 1st place in the Bundesliga already seems to be over, with Bayern Munich out to a 7 point lead. Still, the competition for the Champions League spots will be tight, and Leipzig need to avoid further stumbles against relegation bound teams.

Other Notes:

• Antonee Robinson is back from his red card suspension and immediately back into the lineup for Fulham. Fulham currently sit in the relegation zone as well, 8 points from safety. They’ll be facing West Ham United at 12:30p on NBC.

Looking through the paywall:

• John Anthony Brooks and Wolfsburg look to continue their run at a Champions League spot when they face Augsburg at 9:30a on ESPN+.
• Pellegrino Matarazzo and Stuttgart face Bayer Leverkusen at 9:30a on ESPN+. Matarazzo has Stuttgart comfortably midtable in their return to the Bundesliga.
• Giovanni Reyna and Borussia Dortmund face Freiburg at 9:30a on ESPN+. Reyna was a sub midweek for BVB’s DFB-Pokal match, but still played 55 minutes as the club needed extra time to defeat SC Paderborn.
• Weston McKennie and Juventus face off against Roma and newly acquired Bryan Reynolds, though it seems highly unlikely Reynolds will see the field right away. The match is at noon on ESPN+.

Sunday

Sheffield United v Chelsea - 2:15p on Peacock

Christian Pulisic seems to be in a substitute role for new coach Thomas Tuchel. He has been on the bench and come in as a substitute in each of the coach’s first three games. The team has been getting the results, with a draw and two wins in the last three matches, so it may be a trend we see continue. Though, with a calendar that is rather crowded, surely Pulisic will get his opportunities. The team plays last place Sheffield United this weekend in a must win match. One would think it wouldn’t be too difficult, but the Blades did defeat Manchester United a week and a half ago and Chelsea cannot afford a similar stumble if they are going to maintain Champions League aspirations.

Other Notes:

• Owen Otasowie’s Wolverhampton Wanderers play Leicester City at 9a on NBCSN. Otasowie has made the matchday squad, but seen very few minutes recently and that seems unlikely to change against third place Leicester.

Looking through the paywall:

• Chris Richards has joined Hoffenheim on loan, so we will be tracking their matches moving forward. This weekend, they face Eintracht Frankfurt at 9:30a on ESPN+.
• Josh Sargent and Werder Bremen meet Arminia Bielfeld at Noon on ESPN+. Werder Bremen are coming off a 2-0 win over Julian Green’s Greuther Fürth in the DFB-Pokal.
• Sergiño Dest and Barcelona face Real Betis at 3p in a match that can be seen on either beIN Sports or Fanatiz.

There you have it, a solid slate of action. Let us know what you’re watching in the comments section below.