There’s a real rollercoaster happening for USMNT fans trying to tack players across Europe to start the season. Some players are off to a hot start – Christian Pulisic continues to put up goals, Weston McKennie is inevitable – while others are already dealing with injury and some appear to already be out of favor. With so much going on we’ll try to give you the rundown of where you might be able to watch this weekend to see players performing:
Friday
Borussia Dortmund v Bochum – 2:30p on ESPN+
Gio Reyna will not return this weekend but is progressing well and according to Nuri Sahin he could be available Tuesday for the team’s Champions League matchup against Celtic. Dortmund were pounded 5-1 by Stuttgart last weekend and will need to bounce back quickly. Their opponent this weekend, Bochum, are still looking for their first win on the season.
AC Milan v Lecce – 2:45p on Paramount+
Christian Pulisic’s goal helped AC Milan secure a huge win in the Milan Derby last weekend as he opened the scoring with a phenomenal individual effort in the 10th minute of a match that Milan would go on to win 1-0 over rivals and defending title holders Inter. Yunus Musah did not see the field last weekend, the first league match this season in which he did not appear for Milan. Musah could be in line for more minutes this weekend as Milan may choose to rotate the squad ahead of a big Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
Saturday
Derby County v Norwich City – 7:30a on Paramount+
Josh Sargent started and went 90’ for Norwich City as they defeated Watford 4-1 last weekend. Sargent has played all but one minute across six matches for Norwich to start the season.
Wolfsburg v Stuttgart – 9:30a on ESPN+
Kevin Paredes remains out for Wolfsburg who fell to Bayer Leverkusen last weekend 4-3. Wolfsburg have just one win in their first four matches and currently sit 13th in the Bundesliga table.
Mainz v Heidenheim – 9:30a on ESPN+
Lennard Maloney started and played 71’ last weekend for Heidenheim as they fell to Freiburg 3-0. It was Heidenheim’s second straight loss by at least two goals. This weekend they face a Mainz side coming off a 3-2 win over Augsburg.
Borussia Monchengladbach v Union Berlin – 9:30a on ESPN+
Joe Scally and Borussia Monchengladbach face off against fellow USMNT member Jordan Pefok and Union Berlin this weekend. Scally has played every minute for Gladbach to start the season but the team has just one win and has suffered three defeats to start the season. On the other end of the spectrum, Union Berlin are undefeated to start the season with a pair of wins to go with a pair of draws. Pefok picked up his first goal contribution of the season last weekend with an assist in the 23’ but was removed at the half with Berlin up 2-0.
Everton v Crystal Palace – 10a on Peacock
Chris Richards was back in the starting lineup for Crystal Palace last weekend as the team held Manchester United to a scoreless draw. Richards return to the lineup came one week after he did not make it off the bench.
Nottingham Forest v Fulham – 10a on Peacock
Antonee Robinson and Fulham picked up their second win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Newcastle last weekend. Robinson has played every minute to start the season for Fulham who have lost just once and currently sit in tenth place
Willem II v PSV Eindhoven – 10:30a on ESPN+
Malik Tillman picked up two goals last weekend in PSV’s 3-1 win over Fortuna Sittard while Ricardo Pepi came in for the final ten minutes of the match and Richard Ledezma was not included in the squad due to a minor injury and is expected to be available again this weekend as undefeated PSV take on a Willem II side coming off a 3-2 loss to Utrecht.
Genoa v Juventus – Noon on Paramount+
Weston McKennie has now started two straight matches for Juventus while Tim Weah has come off the bench in the past three since returning from injury. Juventus have played three straight scoreless draws in league competition but they are undefeated on the season and just two points back of the league lead as they have yet to give up a goal this season.
Le Havre v Lille – 1p on beIN Sports
Emmanuel Sabbi came off the bench last weekend in Le Havre’s 3-1 loss to Monaco. Sabbi has appeared in three of his teams five matches to start the Ligue One season.
Monaco v Montpellier – 3p on beIN Sports
Folarin Balogun picked up his first goal of the season last weekend in Monaco’s 3-1 win over Le Havre. Monaco are undefeated to start the season and are in a three-way tie for the Ligue One lead early in the season.
Sunday
Celta Vigo v Girona – 8a on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Luca de la Torre continues to be left out of the picture at Celta Vigo with the explanation being given that he continues to deal with injury. However, preseason statements that de la Torre was no longer in the clubs plans leave the situation uncertain and he may need a transfer come January.
Toulouse v Olympique Lyon – 9a on beIN Sports
Mark McKenzie and Tanner Tessmann could square off in France if McKenzie, who missed Toulouse’s most recent match, is able to return from injury. McKenzie had started three straight before he was sidelined. Tessmann did not make it off the bench in last weekend’s 3-2 loss to Marseille but saw 22 minutes midweek in Lyon’s 2-0 win over Olympiacos in UEFA Europa League play. It was Tessmann’s longest appearance of the season to date.
Roma v Venezia – 9a on Paramount+
Gianluca Busio scored his first goal of the season and Venezia recorded their first victor last weekend in a 2-0 win over Genoa. Venezia remain in the relegation zone even with the win and they face a tough Roma side this weekend though the side also picked up their first win of the season 3-0 last weekend over Udinese.
Real Betis v Espanyol – 12:30p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Johnny Cardoso returned midweek to get the start and play a full 90’ as Betis drew Las Palmas 1-1 on Thursday. Betis are in 11th place and will face 14th place Expanyol on Sunday, a side just two points back in the table early in the 2024-25 season.
Strasbourg v Olympique Marseille – 2:45p on beIN Sports
Caleb Wiley has missed two straight matches for Strasbourg, both of which ended in draws. His side remains in tenth place headed into their matchup with a Marseille side that has yet to suffer defeat and are tied with Monaco and PSG for the league lead.
