USMNT weekend viewing guide: A quiet week could lead to an interesting weekend

Hello and Welcome to the weekend viewing guide...

Saturday

Burnley v Chelsea - 11a on NBCSN

Christian Pulisic came off the bench midweek in Chelsea’s match against Krasnodar in Champions League action, which would suggest that he would be likely to get the start this Saturday on the quick turnaround. Add to that the fact that the Chelsea team completely transformed when Pulisic entered the game as a sub and it seems nearly guaranteed. Pulisic entered the match in the 71st minute with his team already up 1-0, but it was at that point that things really turned for the team. In the 75th minute, Pulisic drew the penalty that would be converted to see his team go up 2-0. Chelsea scored again in the 79th minute and then Pulisic would complete the score line with his goal to make it 4-0 in the 90th minute. This weekend, Pulisic and Chelsea will be facing 18th place Burnley. Burnley’s issue thus far this season has been an inability to score goals. The team’s 9 goals allowed is fairly mid-table quality, but they have scored just three goals in their first five matches.

Other Notes:

• FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo play at 3:30p on Univision. FC Dallas continue to be among the teams to watch for folks looking to see some young Americans in action.

Looking through the paywall:

• Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen face off at 10:30a on ESPN+. Josh Sargent and Werder Bremen haven’t been pretty to watch but have lost just once in their first five matches which has them currently sitting in 7th place.
• Chris Richards has returned from injury but been appearing with Bayern II so we may not see him Saturday when Bayern Munich play Köln at 10:30a on ESPN+.
• Giovanni Reyna was actually the one American to start midweek in Champions League action for his club as Borussia Dortmund defeated Zenit St. Petersburg 2-0. This weekend, the team faces Arminia Bielefeld, who have lost three straight after starting their promotion year with a draw and a win.
• Tyler Adams missed RB Leipzig’s Champions League match with an injury, and his status is uncertain at this time, though reports seem to indicate he will miss several weeks. Leipzig face Borussia Mönchengladbach in a matchup of top four hopefuls at 1:30p on ESPN+. Update: Julian Nagelsman has communicated that Adams is dealing with knee pain but there is no structural injury.
• Sergiño Dest did not make it off the bench in Barcelona’s 2-0 loss to Juventus in Champions League play. The young fullback did not look out of place last weekend in El Clásico and it would not be surprising to see him get the start this weekend against Deportivo Alavés at 4p on beIN Sports.

Sunday

Columbus Crew v Philadelphia Union - 3:30p on ABC

The Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union hit primetime on Sunday afternoon on ABC. While it does have the misfortune of facing off against NFL action the match is a nice showcase of the first place Union and third place Columbus, who have been bolstered by the recent return of Darlington Nagbe. The Union are undefeated in their past six matches and lead the league but did loose to the Crew in their last match. The Crew actually lost to a surging (?!?) . The Union are pushing to clinch the Supporters’ Shield, apparently needing 2 points from their final two matches to earn it. Meanwhile, the Crew lost to a surging (?!?) D.C. United team in their last match, but have already clinched a playoff spot and are very close to bypassing the initial round(s) (full disclosure: I actually have no idea how the MLS playoffs and “final series play-offs” work this season). Brendan Aaronson will be headed to Champions League caliber RB Salzburg in January, but remains a part of the Philadelphia Union playoff run this season.

Other Notes:

• DeAndre Yedlin has found playing time hard to come by but remains with Newcastle United, who face first place Everton on Sunday at 9a on NBCSN.
• It seems unlikely that any players on either side will see the field for the United States, but ESPN is carrying the USL Championship match between the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Phoenix Rising at 8:30p.

Looking through the paywall:

• Weston McKennie came off the bench in Juventus’ 2-0 win over Barcelona in Champions League group play, which is better than Cristiano Ronaldo can say. Juventus plays Spezia at 9a on ESPN+.
• John Brooks and Wolfsburg face Hertha Berlin at Noon on ESPN+. Wolfsburg have drawn four times in their first five matches. The good news is that the defense has been stout, allowing just three goals through the five games.
• Timothy Weah has struggled to see the field so far this season, but Lille did play a Thursday Europa league match which could give him an opportunity this weekend when they face Olympique Lyonnais at 3p on beIN Sports.

Let us know what you’re watching this weekend and be sure to treasure your time with those you love.