USMNT weekend viewing guide: facing off

It’s a weekend of head-to-head matchups with American on American action in three of the top five leagues this weekend which feels like it must surely be a first. The highlight is in Italy on Saturday but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, here’s what we have leading up to that point.

Friday

Bochum v Hoffenheim - 2:30p on ESPN+

John Brooks and Hoffenheim get the weekend started as they face Bochum on Friday afternoon. Brooks saw 20 minutes off the bench, his third straight substitute appearance since returning from red card suspension, last weekend in Hoffenheim’s 4-3 win over Borussia Monchengladbach.

Saturday

Freiburg v Wolfsburg - 9:30a on ESPN+

Kevin Paredes came off the bench last weekend as Wolfsburg picked up a key win over Bochum last weekend to pull four points clear of them in the relegation battle. Wolfsburg face seventh place Freiburg who are five points out of European qualification.

Fulham v Crystal Palace - 10a on Peacock

Our first head to head matchup of the weekend pits Antonee Robinson and Fulham against Chris Richards and Crystal Palace. Robinson once again started last weekend in Fulham’s loss to Liverpool though Tim Ream remained on the bench. Chris Richards returned to the lineup last weekend in Palace’s 5-2 thumping of West Ham and played again midweek in their 2-0 win over Newcastle. A three match winning streak have Palace in 14th place and officially clear of the relegation fray while Fulham sit just ahead of them in 13th.

Newcastle United v Sheffield United - 10a on USA Network

Auston Trusty started yet again and for Sheffield United last weekend in their 4-2 loss to Manchester United and the positive news is that he has played over 2,200 minutes against clubs playing at a Premier League level. The bad news is that Sheffield United do not play at a Premier League level and ten points from safety with four matches to play are likely to be mathematically relegated this weekend when they face seventh place Newcastle.

Juventus v AC Milan - Noon on Paramount+

The showdown of the weekend pits Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus against Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan in Serie A action. There isn’t a ton to play for in this particular match as Inter sealed the league title against AC Milan last weekend and both Juventus and Milan need just two wins in five matches to seal their Champions League qualification. Juventus’s midweek Copa Italia match against Lazio, where they lost 1-0 but won the semi-final on aggregate could impact playing time but Yunus Musah has started the last two matches for AC Milan.

Deportivo Alaves v Celta Vigo - 12:30p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+

Luca de la Torre saw 12 minutes off the bench in his return from injury as Celta Vigo picked up a crucial 4-1 win over Las Palmas and pulled six points clear of Cadiz in the relegation battle with six matches to play in La Liga.

Sunday

Bournemouth v Brighton and Hove Albion - 9a on Peacock

Tyler Adams continues to miss time due to a back injury sustained shortly after his extended hamstring layoff. It’s unclear when he could return.

Borussia Monchengladbach v Union Berlin - 9:30a on ESPN+

It’s another head-to-head matchup as Joe Scally and Borussia Monchengladbach take on Union Berlin on Sunday morning. Union are back to within just two points of the relegation playoff position and Gladbach are only two points removed from them as the teams have both suffered through disappointing campaigns this season.

Nottingham Forest v Manchester United 11:30a on USA Network

Giovanni Reyna has suddenly gotten two straight starts for Nottingham Forest but they lost a brutal 2-0 match to Everton last weekend as Everton pulled seven points clear and Forest remained just a point ahead of Luton Town in the relegation battle.

Olympique Marseille v Monaco - 1p on beIN Sports

Folarin Balogun started his second straight as Monaco defeated Lille 1-0 on Wednesday to pull six points ahead of them in the race for Champions League qualification with four matches to play.

Darmstadt v Heidenheim - 1:30p on ESPN+

Leonard Maloney suffered another injury last weekend after having only recently from three matches off due to another unrelated injury. Heidenheim fell to RB Leipzig last weekend thought they remain in tenth place.

Real Betis v Sevilla - 3p on ESPN Deportes and EPSN+

Johnny closes out the weekend as Real Betis face twelfth place Sevilla looking to close a three point gap on Real Sociedad for European competition qualification over the last six matches.