USMNT midweek viewing guide: Following in Sir Alex’s footsteps

As the Gold Cup continues, it’s a quieter week, with 37 Americans potentially seeing action across MLS, Argentina, friendlies, Conference League, and Champions League qualifying.

Let’s get into it! Here’s a snapshot of USMNT players in action:

Tuesday

• Omonia Nicosia v Dinamo Zagreb, 12p on Paramount+: Mix Diskerud and Omonia are at home in Cyprus to protect their 2-0 lead in this Champions League qualifier.
• HJK v Malmö FF, 12p: Romain Gall’s parent club continues Champions League qualifying away in Finland, up 2-1 on aggregate.
• FK Žalgiris v Ferencvaros, 1p: Henry Wingo and Ferencvaros bring a 2-0 lead with them to Lithuania for this Champions League qualifier.
• Manchester City v Preston North End, 2p: This friendly could feature Zack Steffen, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Netherlands dual-national CB Philippe Sandler on the City side, as well as Matt Olosunde for Preston.
• Bournemouth v Chelsea FC, 2:45p on chelseafc.com: Christian Pulisic and Matt Miazga could see action for Chelsea in their friendly.

In friendlies:

• Beşiktaş v Istanbul Basaksehir, 12p: Tyler Boyd
• Eltersdorf v Bayern II, 1p: Malik Tillman, Taylor Booth
• Cambridge United v QPR, 2p: Charlie Kelman, Andre Dozzell
• Fleetwood Town v Huddersfield, 2p: Duane Holmes

Wednesday

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest, 9a: Ethan Horvath could see action for Forest, along with England dual-national winger Alex Mighten (only 19), who curled a goal from the corner of the box in one of their recent friendlies.
• Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach, 12p: A friendly in Germany with a lot of US involvement, this one could include Chris Richards, Taylor Booth, and Malik Tillman (Bayern), as well as Joe Scally (Gladbach).
• Unión Santa Fe v Banfield, 1:15p on Paramount+, Fanatiz, fuboTV: Joel Soñora has played in both games for new club Banfield so far in the new Argentine club season.
• RB Salzburg v Atletico Madrid, 1:45p on ESPN Deportes, fuboTV: Brenden Aaronson could take part in Salzburg’s friendly with Atleti. Swiss dual-nat CB Bryan Okoh was with Salzburg for preseason, but appears to have returned to feeder club Liefering in the second division for another loan.
• Galatasaray v PSV, 2p on Paramount+: DeAndre Yedlin and Galatasaray got smoked 5-1 by PSV away, now they return home with a big job ahead of them in Champions League qualifying. No news on Richie Ledezma’s anticipated return from injury for PSV.
• Young Boys v Slovan Bratislava, 2:15p: Jordan Pefok and Young Boys come into this second leg tied 0-0, but will be at home in this Champions League qualifier.
• Independiente v Patronato, 5:45p on Paramount+, Fanatiz, fuboTV: Alan Soñora has yet to appear for Independiente two games into the Argentine season.
• Sporting KC II v Louisville City, 8p on ESPN+: Jonathan Gomez has 2 goals and 5 assists in his last 7 games for Louisville. Seems safe to say he’s ready for the next level, whether that’s Sociedad or elsewhere.
• LAFC v Minnesota United, 10:30p on ESPN+, fuboTV: Hassani Dotson and Minnesota take on Marco Farfan and LAFC. 20-year-old ‘keeper Tomás Romero has started 7 straight in the net for LAFC.

In friendlies:

• Valencia v Real Zaragoza, 12:45p: Yunus Musah (out due to injury)
• MK Dons v Tottenham Hotspur, 2:45p: Cameron Carter-Vickers
• FC Porto v AS Roma, 3p: Bryan Reynolds, Sebastian Soto
• Saint-Etienne v Marseille, 3p: Konrad de la Fuente

Thursday

• BK Häcken v Aberdeen, 12:30p: Christian Ramirez scored last week in his Aberdeen debut, as they cruised to a 5-1 win at home in Conference League qualifying. They travel to Sweden with that same 5-1 cushion.
• Maccabi Haifa v Dinamo Tbilisi, 1p: Josh Cohen and Haifa lead 2-1 going into this Conference League qualifying second leg.
• Raków Częstochowa v FK Suduva, 1p: Ben Lederman and Raków are tied 0-0 going into this Conference League qualifying second leg.

That’s it! Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below. Let’s see who impresses this week!