USMNT Nov 9-11 viewing guide and open thread

There’s a full slate of games this weekend, including Premier League action, the U-20s looking to wrap up their place in the next stage of World Cup qualifying, and a potential American face off in the Bundesliga. But, the headline will be a Der Klassiker matchup that’s likely to feature at least an appearance from Christian Pulisic. So, without further adieu, let’s jump into the fixtures you can watch this weekend.

Friday

Hannover v Wolfsburg - 2:30p on FS2 and Univision Deportes

The weekend starts off with a potential matchup between two Americans plying their trade in one of the top leagues in all of soccer. Bobby Wood has appeared in 9 of 11 games for Hannover this season, including starting four straight. Unfortunately for Wood and Hannover, they’ve managed just one win on the season and sit in 16th place with 6 points through 10 games. Wood has two goals on the season, both coming in the teams 3-1 win over Stuttgart a month ago.

John Brooks has played every minute for Wolfsburg this season, a steady presence in the back. The team is comfortably in the middle of the table, in 11th place, and coming off a relatively respectable 1-0 loss to what has been a dominant Dortmund team.

Other Notes:

• The U20 men’s team plays Suriname at 4:30 on Univision Deportes, looking to wrap up their passage to the next round of World Cup qualifying. The team has been dominant thus far, outscoring opponents 32-2 through their first four games.
• Omar Gonzalez and Atlas have only lost once in the past five games and have crawled out of dead last and now sit in 17th place. Gonzalez has played in 14 of 15 games for Atlas thus far. The team plays Pachuca (his former team) at 10p on Univision Deportes.

Saturday

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

Borussia Dortmund have been off to a dominant start on the season: they have yet to lose in league play, they have a +20 goal differential, and they lead the standings by 4 points. In fact, even if Bayern are able to beat them, they would remain a point back in the standings. However, Dortmund likely realize that the league still goes through Munich and if they’re going to really make a statement, it’s going to require taking down the league giants head-to-head. Dortmund have managed just one win over Bayern in their last four meetings and a victory this Saturday would establish them a as a front runner for the season.

Christian Pulisic and Dortmund are coming off a frustrating 2-0 loss to Atlético Madrid in Champions League play, their first loss in any competition this season. Pulisic started the match but was unable to get much going and was subbed out just 60 minutes in to the game. Pulisic has appeared in every game for which he has been available but has rotated between starting and substitute appearances, including appearing as a sub in the teams last three league matches. Due to the rotation pattern and Pulisic’s start on Tuesday against Atlético, it’s a little challenging to predict what role he might play on Saturday, but it’s a big matchup against Bayern and his role would seem to give a strong indication of his standing with manager Lucien Favre.

Other Notes

• Fabian Johnson appeared for the first time in five matches for Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend as they defeated Düsseldorf 3-0. The team takes on Werder Bremen at 9:30a on FS1. Josh Sargent has been heavily teased for Werder, but has yet to see the bench for the senior team.
• 90-minute lock Ventura Alvarado and Necaxa take on Monterrey at 10p on Univision and Univision Deportes. Necaxa haven’t won in their past six games and currently sit in 16th place.
• Rubio Rubin saw 30 minutes off the bench for Tijuana last weekend in their 3-1 loss to Lobos. The team looks to bounce back against Morelia at 10p on Saturday in a game that can be seen on FS2.

Sunday

Liverpool v Fulham - 7a on NBCSN

Tim Ream’s Fulham have been struggling this season, their one win coming in August and losers of five straight with the defense being a main culprit. The team has given up a league worst 29 goals this season, including 15 goals in the four game stretch that Ream started in his return from injury before being sent back to the bench for their recent 1-0 loss to the previously last place Huddersfield Town that had only managed to score four times previously.

Clearly Fulham is going to need to get their defense sorted out if they’re going to remain in the top flight and hopefully Ream can be a part of that but they will certainly have their work cut out for them this weekend against a third place Liverpool team that is averaging nearly two goals a game.

Eintracht Frankfurt v Schalke 04 - Noon on FS2 and Univision Deportes

Weston McKennie has appeared in a substitute role for Schalke’s last four matches including Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League action so that may be the role the team sees him best suited for at the moment. The team has figured out how to score more recently and after starting the season with five losses have now lost just once in their past five Bundesliga matches and are undefeated in Champions League play as well.

Schalke will be facing an Eintracht Frankfurt team that currently sits in fifth place and is coming off a 3-2 midweek Europa League victory over Apollon Limassol and a 3-0 win over Stuttgart last weekend in their last Bundesliga matchup. Timothy Chandler remains unavailable for Frankfurt with a knee injury that will keep him out until at least February.

Other Notes:

• Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake played to a 1-1 draw in the opener of their two game playoff matchup. Americans Brooks Lennon and Nick Rimando started for Real Salt Lake with Justen Glad, Sebastian Saucedo and Corey Baird all coming on in relief. Graham Zusi, Ike Opara and Matt Besler started in defense for SKC, while 16-year-old Gianluca Busio did not appear off the bench. The teams will kickoff game two at 3p on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
• Atlanta United had a hard fought 1-0 road victory against New York City FC last Sunday and will look to close things out at home this week at 5p on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Darlington Nagbe, Brad Guzan, Greg Garza, Michael Parkhurst and Jeff Larentowicz all started for Atlanta in the winning effort. Sean Johnson and Ben Sweat were on the losing side with NYCFC.
• The Columbus Crew SC take a 1-0 lead into game two against the New York Red Bulls thanks to a goal scored by Gyasi Zardes and a clean sheet by Zack Steffen. Wil Trapp also started for the Crew. The Red Bulls will look to get things turned back around at home with a team led by Tim Parker, Aaron Long and Tyler Adams. The game will be shown on FS1 beginning at 7:30p.