USMNT players and fans are dealing with a slew of injuries coming back from the international break (though most were known prior). You could name a lineup of notable players who are out or questionable that would compete with the available players if healthy. However, there is still some action to keep an eye on this weekend, in particular in Italy where Christian Pulisic looks to continue his hot start and Tim Weah returns to action.
Friday
Borussia Dortmund v St Pauli – 2:30p on ESPN+
Reportedly close to returning prior to the international break Gio Reyna has had yet another injury setback and is “definitely out” this weekend according to Nuri Sahin though the long term outlook is not known at this time. Dortmund are in seventh place, though just four points off the leaders six matches into the season.
Monaco v Lille – 2:45p on beIN Sports
Folarin Balogun was off on a hot streak but also injured just ahead of the international window and will reportedly be out until November with a shoulder injury. Monaco currently sit top of the table, ahead of PSG by five points.
Saturday
Preston North End v Coventry City – 7:30a on Paramount+
Haji Wright and Coventry City are off to a slow start for the 2024-25 season. Wright has three goals in nine games and the team has already lost five matches and currently sit in 20th place.
Borussia Mönchengladbach v Heidenheim – 9:30a on ESPN+
Joe Scally has once again played nearly every minute for Borussia Mönchengladbach but the team has just two wins to four losses to start the season and they currently sit just two points out of the relegation playoff spots. Meanwhile Heidenheim and Lennard Maloney have won three and lost three, which is good enough to have them just inside the top half of the table, three points ahead of Gladbach.
Fulham v Aston Villa – 10a on Peacock
Antonee Robinson and Fulham fell to Manchester City 3-2 heading into the international break but remain in 8th place heading into this weekends matchup with fifth place Aston Villa. Robinson continues to play every minute for Fulham and has been gaining recognition as a top leftback.
Osasuna v Real Betis – 10:15a on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Johnny Cardoso continues to have rumors about his next step swirl but in the meantime his playing time with Real Betis has been a bit inconsistent. Cardoso missed the international break due to injury and has been spotted wearing a knee protector in training but his injury is not considered serious and he is available this weekend as Betis look to move up in the table, facing fifth place Osasuna.
AC Milan v Udinese – Noon on Paramount+
Christian Pulisic was given a bit of extra rest over the break as he returned to Milan ahead of the US showdown with Mexico. He has been seeing a lot of minutes for club and doing the most he can with them with a four match scoring streak and goals in five of his last six. Yunus Musah has not seeing the same minutes with club and did stay with the national team through the Mexico match. Musah picked up his first goal with the USMNT against Panama, playing on the outside no less, but his time with Milan has been more inconsistent to start this season. Milan as a team have also been a bit inconsistent to start the season as they have two losses and two draws in their first seven games and currently sit in sixth place, two points back of their opponent this weekend, Udinese.
AZ v PSV 12:45p on ESPN+
Richie Ledezma was back in the starting lineup for PSV just prior to the international break after having missed the previous two matches, apparently due to injury. Ricardo Pepi has appeared in seven out of eight league matches for the team though he has just one start over that stretch. Meanwhile, the third member of the current US trio at PSV, Malik Tillman, has started every match for PSV as the team is off to a perfect start through eight matches. Their opponent this weekend, AZ Alkmaar are in third place but are already eight points back of the league leaders.
Juventus v Lazio – 2:45p on Paramount+
Weston McKennie was brought into training with the USMNT over the international break but sat out both matches with what was reportedly a minor injury. Given McKennie’s injury recovery history it would be surprising if he misses an extended period though he has been ruled out for the weekend. However, Tim Weah is reportedly back for Juventus who currently sit in third place thanks to four draws already this season. The opponent this weekend, Lazio, are tied with Juventus on thirteen points.
Celta Vigo v Real Madrid – 3p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Luca de la Torre has reportedly returned to training though his availability or usage with Celta Vigo remains questionable. Celta currently sit in ninth place, coming of a 1-0 win over Las Palmas
Sunday
Le Havre v Olympique Lyon – 9a on beIN Sports
Tanner Tessman came off the bench in Lyon’s last match before the international window, playing 16’ minutes in the 2-0 win over Nantes. With the win Lyon moved to eighth place in the Ligue 1 table, four points ahead of this weekends opponent Le Havre.
Venezia v Atalanta – 9a on Paramount+
Gianluca Busio and Venezia sit at the bottom of the Serie A table with just one win and a draw through seven matches. Busio has started every match for the club and has shown flashes but it is looking like another short stint in the top flight of the Italian pyramid.
Toulouse v Angers – 11a on beIN Sports
Mark McKenzie and Toulouse have lost three straight and currently sit in sixteenth place. They face last place Angers this weekend who are still looking for their first win on the season.
Wolfsburg v Werder Bremen – 11:30a on ESPN+
Kevin Paredes has returned to training but remains out this weekend as Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen face off. Wolfsburg won their most recent match 3-1 but remain a point behind Werder Bremen and in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table.
Monday
Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace – 3p on USA Network
Chris Richards has missed the last two Crystal Palace matches due to injury and USMNT teammate Matt Turner remains in a backup role for Palace as the club face Nottingham Forest on Monday. Palace are still looking for their first win on the season and currently sit in the relegation zone while Forest are just inside the top ten of the standings.
