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5 to Watch This Weekend

Dempsey, Guzan, Cameron Are Among Top TV Picks

Champions League inclusion, relegation battles, and winning streaks are all on the line this weekend as some of the top American players will be showcased on TV this weekend. Here are our picks.
BY Eduardo Mendez Posted
May 10, 2013
12:59 PM
Still celebrating Jozy Altidore’s game-winner in the Dutch Cup final? Then pull up a chair, grab a hold of your own silverware, and get ready to digest a slew of American soccer action this weekend. From a Champions League run to playoff intensity, we’ve got you covered.

SATURDAY
Aston Villa vs. Chelsea
7:45 a.m. (all times Eastern)
ESPN 2

Brad Guzan was named Aston Villa’s Player of the Season at the club’s awards banquet this past Tuesday. He became just the fifth American to win club MVP honors in the Premier League. But the job isn't finished yet: Villa are teetering on the border of the magical 40-point mark. A win on Saturday would mathematically ensure them a spot in the English Premier League next season. As an added bonus, a clean sheet from Guzan would aid the cause of his fellow countryman. More dropped points from Chelsea could inch Clint Dempsey closer to his Champions League dreams.

Tigres vs. Monterrey
8:00 p.m.
UniMas, Univision Deportes

Monterrey has been a thorn in the side of American soccer fans multiple times this season. First, the Los Angeles Galaxy fell victim in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal, and then Herculez Gomez and Santos Laguna suffered a similar fate just a few weeks later. Now, it appears to be Jose Torres’ turn. Tigres finds itself in a 1-0 hole after the first leg of the Liga MX quarterfinals. Fortunately, the return leg will take place before a raucous home crowd at Estadio Universitario. The opportunity is there for Torres and company to end Monterrey’s pestering results.

SUNDAY
Stoke City vs. Tottenham
8:30 a.m.
Fox Soccer Channel

Clint Dempsey played just 20 minutes in Tottenham’s momentous draw with Chelsea on Wednesday. With a quick turnaround, a rested Dempsey will look to aid his club’s Champions League prospects. But he’s not the only American battling for position at Britannia Stadium on Sunday. Stoke City sit just one point clear of the 40-point mark. Even a draw would mathematically secure Geoff Cameron’s place in the Premier League next season. That feat is essential for Brek Shea’s development as well. Shea wasn’t in the plans for Stoke City this season, but manager Tony Pulis hinted at Shea becoming an integral part of the team moving forward—preferably in the EPL and not the Championship.

A.C. Milan vs. A.S. Roma
2:45 p.m.
beIN Sport en Espanol, tape delayed at 5:30 p.m. on beIN Sport

Two points separate Michael Bradley and A.S. Roma from a Europa League spot. Only two matches remain. A shocking mid-week loss to Chievo Verona dampened Roma’s European aspirations, but there is a chance for redemption at the San Siro this Saturday. It won’t come easy, as AC Milan sit comfortably in third place with a four-point lead over Fiorentina. A victory on Sunday would secure Milan a Champions League berth for the fourth consecutive year. A loss would not derail Roma's quest for European competition, however. A victory over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final on May 26 would suffice should their league form go sideways.

Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City
8:00 p.m.
MLS Live

The Dynamo have never lost a competitive match at BBVA Compass Stadium. Thirty-six teams have tried to win there, and 36 teams have failed—a statistic Kansas City knows all too well. Houston has eliminated Kansas City in each of the last two postseasons and are 3-1-2 in the last six matches between the two. Revenge rests on the mind of Sporting KC, and it can be had in a historical fashion this Sunday. Ending the Dynamo’s impressive streak at home would temporarily remedy their postseason ailment. There is a free trial for MLS Live this weekend, so there's no excuse for you to miss this marquee matchup.

BEST OF THE REST
MLS: Seattle Sounders vs. San Jose Earthquakes (4:00 p.m., Saturday, MLS Live, Univision Deportes)—The Quakes earned a 1-0 victory over Seattle in Week 4. The Sounders will look to return the favor at CenturyLink Field in Week 11.

Liga MX: Atlas vs. Santos Laguna (9:00 p.m., Sunday, Univision Deportes)—Santos Laguna and Atlas played to a scoreless draw Thursday night. Pivotal road goals from Santos are necessary to advance.

NO U.S. ANGLE BUT...
Premier League: Manchester City vs. Wigan Athletic (12:15 p.m., Saturday, FOX Network)—The FA Cup final. Enough said.

Premier League: Manchester United vs. Swansea City 11:00 a.m., Sunday, Fox Soccer Channel)—The celebration of the English Premier league title. Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match as a manager at Old Trafford. What else could you ask for?

So what are you watching this weekend? Which matches did we miss that we should tune in for? Let us know in the new and improved comments section.

Eduardo Mendez is a Brooklyn-based writer and an ASN contributor.

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