USMNT Oct 5-7 viewing guide and open thread

Three solid days of games across two continents, in four leagues involving United States internationals makes for a busy weekend. Let’s get right to it:

Friday

Werder Bremen v Wolfsburg - 2:30p on FS2

Some USMNT fans have been speculating that perhaps Josh Sargent would see a call-up to Werder Bremen’s first team with the club having four games to play in just under two weeks. However, there’s been no sign that Sargent is training with the first team. The team is off to a solid start without the young American in the squad, tied for fourth through six games.

Sitting two points back of Werder Bremen is John Anthony Brooks and his Wolfsburg team. Wolfsburg have just one loss through their first six and Brooks has played the full 90 in each game adding an assist and a goal as well.

Other Notes:

• Omar Gonzalez’s Atlas team has finally won a game, actually managing two whole goals in the process! That’s twice as many goals as they had scored in their first ten games combined! They’ll look to keep that momentum rolling this Friday against Santos Laguna at 8p on Univision Deportes.
• Ventura Alvarado and Necaxa take on Veracruz at 10p on Univision Deportes. Alvarado has been a consistent 90 minute starter for the club.

Saturday

Manchester United v Newcastle - 12:30p on NBC

Newcastle currently sit in the relegation zone with just two points through seven games. Their defense hasn’t been the primarily culprit, allowing ten goals which is good enough for top half of the league, and DeAndre Yedlin has been involved in half the goals that Newcastle have scored. Unfortunately, that’s sort of the problem for Newcastle, as they’ve managed just four goals through their first seven games.

Newcastle face a struggling Manchester United side that lost to Championship club Derby County in the Carabao Cup, was easily handled by West Ham United 3-1 in their most recent league game, and were held to a scoreless draw in their midweek Champions League match-up with Valencia. Certainly they’ll be looking to get things turned around but with the amount of unrest that is reportedly swirling at Old Trafford there may be an opportunity for Newcastle to take advantage and collect their first win.

Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach - 12:30p on FS2

If you’re ready for some split screen action you may be able to watch two Americans playing in two of the worlds top leagues simultaneously Saturday as Fabian Johnson’s Gladbach side kick off at the same time as Newcastle.

Unfortunately Johnson’s minutes have been diminishing over the last several games, first being pulled at the half, then coming on a sub in the 83rd minute, and most recently failing to make it off the bench.

Other notes:

• Christian Pulisic is unavailable as Borussia Dortmund face Augsburg at 9:30a on FS2.
• Following last week’s loss to the New York Red Bulls, Atlanta United are just one point up with three games remaining. Brad Guzan, Darlington Nagbe and company will look to get things back on track against the New England Revolution.
• It’s a league game for León, so William Yarbrough is unlikely to play against Morelia at 8p on ESPN Deportes.
• Similarly, Joe Corona has appeared only in Cup games recently for Club América so is unlikely to be seen as they face Tigres UANL at 8p on Univision.
• Rubio Rubin has seen only a handful of minutes for Tijuana all season, as they play Querataro at 10:36p on FS2.

Sunday

Fulham v Arsenal - 7a on NBCSN

Tim Ream returned from injury and was immediately inserted back into the starting lineup last weekend, so for the second straight day you’ll be able to catch an American defender taking the field for a Premier League team. Fulham have won once and tied twice through seven, so they sit 17th currently in what is a rather crowded bottom half of the table. The team has given up a league-leading 16 goals in their first seven games, so hopefully Ream can help them right the ship defensively, climb to the middle of the table, and avoid a relegation fight. Things certainly won’t be easy Sunday as they take on a fifth-place Arsenal team that has averaged two goals a game.

D.C. United v Chicago Fire - 1p on ESPN

D.C. United continue their push for the playoffs with a winnable match against lowly Chicago. D.C. are currently 2 points out of the last playoff spot but with 2 games in hand. None of the core of Bill Hamid, Russell Canouse, or Paul Arriola were called in for the USMNT October matches, but this is likely more a reflection of US Soccer playing nice with a D.C. team making a playoff push as it is a look at where the players currently stand as it relates to the national team.

Other Notes:

• Michael Orozco has been a consistent starter for a Lobos team that has won their past two after losing five straight. The look to continue their positive streak against Puebla in a game that can be seen at 7p on Univision Deportes.
• The USWNT looks to build on the positive momentum of their 6-0 thrashing of Mexico when they face Panama at 5:00p on FS1. Dos a Cero is for suckers, so how about Seis a Cero folks!