We’ve got reasons to be thankful this weekend! There are some top of the table matchups in France and Italy and Americans facing off in Germany as well. Throw in the MLS Conference semifinals, and it’s a weekend nearly as full as Grandma’s kitchen table. Let’s see what we have to feast our eyes on this week:
Friday
Paris Saint Germain v Monaco – 3p on beIN Sports
Folarin Balogun got a rare break, coming off the bench as a substitute for 20 minutes in Monaco’s last game before the international window. Monaco played to a scoreless draw in the match and have fallen three points back of PSG in the Ligue 1 standings. Balogun went the full 90 in both matches for the USMNT over the international break and picked up one assist which came in the team’s first match, the 3-0 win on home soil.
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v Borussia Mönchengladbach – 9:30a on ESPN+
Gio Reyna made way for Joe Scally on Monday as Scally was needed to replace Sergiño Dest at right back thanks to his ridiculous red card. Reyna and Scally will now have a chance to face each other on Saturday, though Reyna’s minutes have been quite limited for club recently.
Union Berlin v Augsburg – 9:30a on ESPN+
Brenden Aaronson and Union Berlin as still looking for their first league points, and first win in any competition, since August as they take on tenth place Augsburg. Aaronson has come off the bench in the past two matches for Berlin and will now be looking to make an impression for a new coach as Urs Fischer was relieved of his duties heading into the international break.
Wolfsburg v RB Leipzig – 9:30a on ESPN+
Still just 20 years old, Kevin Paredes has started the past three matches for Wolfsburg who currently sit in 11th place. The team face fourth place RB Leipzig on Saturday.
Luton Town v Crystal Palace 10a on Peacock
Chris Richards had a quiet international window as he was an unused substitute in both of the USMNT matches. It’s been a quiet season for Richards at the club level as he continues to push for a breakthrough, so far he has just four appearances for Palace this season.
Nottingham Forest v Brighton & Hove Albion – 10a on USA Network
Matt Turner’s replacement gave up three goals in Nottingham Forest’s most recent match, but it will probably take more than one bad result for the coach to pivot back to Turner. Forest currently sit in 14th place, eight points out of the relegation zone.
Valencia v Celta Vigo – 10:15a on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
Luca de la Torre and Celta Vigo are still looking for their second win of the season and currently sit in the relegation zone on seven points, two back of Mallorca and safety.
Eintracht Frankfurt v Stuttgart – 12:30p on ESPN+
Paxten Aaronson has seen just five minutes of league action over the last two months for Eintracht Frankfurt, who face Stuttgart on Saturday. Frankfurt have just one loss on the season, but have a league leading six draws and currently sit in seventh place.
Twente v PSV Eindhoven – 12:45p on ESPN+
Sergiño Dest, Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi all played, shall we say “significant” roles for the USMNT over the international break and now return to a PSV side that look to continue their perfect run in Eredivisie play. They will face third place Twente who are currently nine points off the league leaders.
AC Milan v Fiorentina – 2:45p on Paramount+
Christian Pulisic used the international break to rest as he’s been dealing with some nagging injuries but reports are that he has returned to training and will be available on Saturday when Milan face Fiorentina.
MLS Playoffs on Apple TV:
- Orlando City SC take on the Columbus Crew at 5:30p in the first Eastern Conference semifinal match, followed by Cincinnati FC hosting the Philadelphia Union.
Sunday
Hoffenheim v Mainz – 11:30a on ESPN+
John Brooks was an unused substitute in Hoffenheim’s two matches prior to the international window. The team now face Mainz who are currently in the relegation playoff position.
Juventus v Inter Milan – 2:45p on Paramount+
Weston McKennie left the USMNT team early, before their trip to Port of Spain, due to injury but was back in training on Thursday. Juventus have a marquee matchup this weekend as the second place side will take on league leading Inter Milan.
MLS Playoffs:
- In the Western Conference semifinals the Houston Dynamo will take on Sporting Kansas City at 7p on FS1 before the Seattle Sounders and LAFC close out the weekend with a 9:30p kickoff on Apple TV.
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