Clubs will truly be restarting their seasons this weekend after the initial phase was interrupted so quickly after it had started by the international break. While the break wasn’t kind to the USMNT, it did allow key players who weren’t called in to further integrate with their teams or recover from early season (or in some cases even preseason) injuries. It’s a very full weekend, particularly on Saturday, and here’s what we’re keeping an eye on.
Friday
Borussia Dortmund v Heidenheim – 2:30p on ESPN+
Gio Reyna was ruled out for several weeks on his return to Borussia Dortmund and will be unavailable as Dortmund take on league leading Heidenheim and Lennard Maloney. Maloney had to leave Heidenheim’s last match 40 minutes in but is reportedly fit and ready to face his former club.
Real Betis v Leganes – 3p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Johnny Cardoso will look to bounce back from a rough international break when Real Betis face Leganes on Friday afternoon. Betis fell 2-0 to Real Madrid heading into the break with Johnny coming in as a sub in the 57th minute and the club is still looking for their first win of the season.
Saturday
Lees United v Burnley – 7:30a on Paramount+
Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United face Burnley in an early season English League Championship match that could have end of season impact on the promotion race. Four matches in Aaronson is the top scorer for Leeds with two goals.
RB Leipzig v Union Berlin – 9:30a on ESPN+
Jordan Pefok and Union Berlin went into the break with their first win of the 2024-25 campaign. The got off to a hot start last season as well, winning their first two, before loosing nine straight league matches. They face last seasons run away winners RB Leipzig on Saturday morning.
Wolfsburg v Eintracht Frankfurt – 9:30a on ESPN+
Kevin Paredes has missed the start of the Bundesliga season but should be returning within the next week or so if early reports have held true. Wolfsburg fell to Bayern Munich in their opener but defeated Holstein Kiel heading into the international break.
Borussia Mönchengladbach v Stuttgart – 9:30a on ESPN+
Joe Scally has started Borussia Mönchengladbach’s first two matches and gone the full ninety in each as the opened their season with a 3-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen but rebounded with a 2-0 victory over Bochum. Stuttgart are looking for their first win of the season after giving up three goals in each of their first two matches, including a 3-3 draw with Mainz just prior to the break.
Crystal Palace v Leicester City – 10a on USA Network
Chris Richards will be one to keep an eye on as Crystal Palace have a glut of centerbacks following the transfer window closing. Richards has started the first three matches for Palace but they have suffered two losses and one draw so it will be interesting to see if changes are made coming out of the break.
Fulham v West Ham – 10a on Peacock
Antonee Robinson has notched an assist in Fulham’s last two matches and gone the full ninety in all three to start the season. He was left off the US squad for the international break but it sounded like primarily a matter of rest for a player who has seen a ton of minutes over the last couple of seasons as he prepares for a crucial role yet again for his club.
Swansea City v Norwich City – 10a on Paramount+
Josh Sargent and his ankles of glass didn’t see any minutes for the US but he is reportedly available for Norwich City this weekend as they face Swansea. Sargent has two goals and an assist already this season but Norwich have just one win in four matches.
Watford v Coventry City – 10a
Haji Wright also has a pair of goals to start the season for Coventry but his team likewise has just one win to show for it as they sit in 17th place and head into a matchup with a Watfor side that has one three of their first four matches.
PSV v NEC – 10:30a on ESPN+
Ricardo Pepi saw his first extended minutes of the season as Luuk de Jong was removed with an injury. However, most match reports seemed to indicate that an extended absence isn’t likely. Richard Ledezma continues to start at rightback while Malik Tillman is racking up the minutes in the midfield for PSV who haven’t missed a beat coming into the new season.
Empoli v Juventus – Noon on Paramount+
Weston McKennie saw 23’ off the bench for Juventus in their last match before the break, his first minutes of the season. Tim Weah missed the match due to injury but is reportedly back in training and available for Juventus as they face Empoli this weekend.
AC Milan v Venezia – 2:45p on Paramount+
Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah and AC Milan face Venezia this weekend and fellow American Gianluca Busio who has missed the start of the season following an injury in the Summer Olympics but is reportedly available this weekend. Both clubs are off to a rough campaign and looking for their first win on the season.
Sunday
Strasbourg v Angers – 11a on beIN Sports
Caleb Wiley continues to see minutes for Strasbourg, he came off the bench in their most recent match but played 45’ and picked up his first assist for the club.
Toulouse v Le Havre – 11a on beIN Sports
Mark McKenzie of Tolouse and Emmanuel Sabbi of Le Havre could face off in some American v American action in France on Sunday. McKenzie has started the last two matches for Toulouse while Sabbi was not included in the most recent Le Havre squad though he did see 21’ in their previous match.
Lens v Lyon – 2:45p on beIN Sports
Tanner Tessman made his Olympique Lyonnais debut just prior to the break, seeing three minutes off the bench in a wild 4-3 Lyon come-from-behind victory after they had been down 3-1 to Caleb Wiley’s Strasbourg. Presumably the international break will have allowed Tessman to further integrate with his new club and he should be in line for additional minutes.
