USMNT Nov 6-8 Champions League, Europa League and MLS Playoff viewing guide and open thread

Two Champions League games running simultaneously on Tuesday, a recovery day on Wednesday and then morning-to-late-night viewing on Thursday gives us a few things to look at this week. For Tuesday’s Champions League games, if you have access to Univision Deportes via your cable / satellite provider, you can watch the game for free via the Univision Deportes app. If you don’t have access to Univision the games are available through B/R Live with a paid subscription.

Tuesday

Schalke 04 v Galatasaray - 3p on Univision Deportes en Vivo and B/R Live

Schalke and Galatasaray played to a scoreless draw two weeks ago in their first meeting two weeks ago in Istanbul. Galatasaray had a distinct possession advantage, but Schalke had far more and better opportunities for actual goal scoring, including a goal that was disallowed for offsides. The challenge of scoring goals is nothing new for Schalke, as they have only eight goals through ten Bundesliga games and two goals through their first three Champions league games this season. However, perhaps they’ve found the breakthrough as they scored three goals over the weekend in a 3-0 win over Hannover.

Weston McKennie played only a handful of minutes this past weekend and should be available if called on. His usage patterns have been a little challenging to put a finger on. He played only eight minutes in Schalke’s last game against Galatasaray, but started the club’s Bundesliga games on either side of the match. Now coming into the second round, he was held out of Saturday’s league game.

Galatasaray currently sits in the third position in the group and if Schalke are hoping to advance, they likely need to pick up the win at home to maintain their second place position.

Atlético Madrid v Borussia Dortmund - 3p on Univision Deportes en Vivo and B/R Live

While Schalke and Galatasaray are kicking off in Germany, Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will be getting started in Madrid as Atlético play host and look to repay a 4-0 defeat they suffered in Dortmund two weeks ago. Halfway through the group stage, Dortmund are in first place and can clinch a spot in the round of 16 with a win or a draw. Atlético are in second place in the group with six points and could tie Dortmund for points with a win, but would need to make up a nine goal differential to take first place in the group.

Dortmund are coming off a 1-0 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday in which Christian Pulisic played just over 10 minutes. However, the limited use on Saturday is probably an indication that the team plans to have him play a more prominent role on Tuesday. In his last start for the team, a DFB-Pokal match against 2nd tier Union Berlin, Pulisic had a hand in all three goals the team scored. In that match, he scored one, assisted another and drew the penalty that Marco Reus scored for their third and final goal.

Thursday

Fenerbahce v Anderlecht - 10:50a on Univision Deportes

Kenny Saief and Anderlecht sit in fourth place in their Europa League group with just one point through three matches. The one point Anderlecht has gained so far was courtesy of a 2-2 draw when they hosted Fenerbahce recently, now the team will travel to Istanbul for the rematch and hope to resuscitate their Europa League hopes with a road win.

Saief had been making regular appearances for Anderlecht since returning from injury in mid September and had started the team’s last two matches, including the draw with Fenerbahce, but was left on the bench Sunday in their 2-1 victory in league play. The role he plays on Thursday should give an indication of whether that was planned rest or a result of poor form.

Seattle Sounders v Portland Timbers - 10:30p on FS1

Portland defeated Seattle 2-1 at home in the first leg of this Western Conference semifinal, thanks in part to a goal by 21-year-old Jeremy Ebobisse:

Ebobisse has been featuring regularly for Portland down the stretch and has two goals and an assist in their last nine games, including the goal on Sunday. Portland will now travel to Seattle where the Sounders will look to turn things around, but they may be without Cristian Roldan, who suffered a hip flexor injury in the opener.

One Other Note:

• Romain Gall did not appear in Malmö’s first match against Sarpsborg two weeks ago, which was a 1-1 tie in Sarpsborg. The winner of Thursday’s match would have a distinct advantage as the two teams are currently tied for second with 4 points. The game is only available on B/R Live.