Today marks the first full day of MLS action since the 2011 season kicked off on Tuesday, but before we get into the day's heavy menu of MLS match-ups, there are plenty of quality games to watch around the world today.
Manchester United takes on Stuart Holden and Bolton in one of the morning's marquee match-ups, while U.S. teammates Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey will face each other as Everton plays host to Fulham.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will play the latest installment of their rivalry in a match that should have its share of goals.
If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today's TV Schedule is after the jump):
TODAY'S SOCCER ON TV
8:45am- ESPN2- Tottenham vs. West Ham United
10:30am- GolTV- SC Freiburg vs. Bayern Munich
11am- Fox Soccer Channel- Manchester United vs. Bolton
11am- Fox Soccer Plus- West Bromwich Albion vs. Arsenal
11am- FoxSoccer.tv- Aston Villa vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
11am- FoxSoccer.tv- Stoke City vs. Newcastle United
11am- FoxSoccer.tv- Wigan vs. Birmingham City
1pm- DirecTV- Mallorca vs. Real Zaragoza
1pm- Fox Soccer Plus- Lazio vs. AC Cesena
1:30pm- Fox Soccer Channel- Everton vs. Fulham
1:30pm- ESPN3.com- Borussia Dortmund vs. Mainz 05
2pm- FoxSoccer.tv- Auxerre vs. Sochaux
2pm- FoxSoccer.tv- Brest vs. Lille
2pm- Fox Soccer.tv- Lorient vs. Saint Etienne
2pm- FoxSoccer.tv- Montpellier vs. Lens
2pm- FoxSoccer.tv- Toulouse vs. Nice
3pm- GolTV- Barcelona vs. Getafe
3:45pm- Fox Soccer Channel- Palermo vs. AC Milan
5pm- ESPN3.com- Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid
5:30pm- GolTV- Bragantino vs. Santos
6:30pm- Direct Kick- Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Toronto FC
6:55pm- Azteca America- Cruz Azul vs. Toluca
7pm- ESPN3.com- Chile vs. Venezuela (CONMEBOL Under-17 Championship)
7pm- Telemundo- Monterrey vs. Club America
7:30pm- Direct Kick- D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew
7:30pm- MSG- New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders
7:30pm- GolTV- Atletico Nacional vs. Cucuta
8:30pm- Direct Kick- FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire
8:30pm- Direct Kick- Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union
8:55pm- Galavision- Santos Laguna vs. Morelia
9pm- Fox Soccer Channel- Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers
9pm- Telemundo- Chivas Guadalajara vs. Queretaro
9:10pm- ESPN3.com- Brazil vs. Paraguay (CONMEBOL Under-17 Championship)
10:30pm- Direct Kick- Chivas USA vs. Sporting Kansas City
10:30pm- Direct Kick- San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake
11pm- Galavision- San Luis vs. Atlas (Delayed)
11pm- Telefutura- Atlante vs. Jaguares (Delayed)
Spector not in 18 according to soccernet. Dude needs a new squad.
Dude got 55 minutes at striker last game…and didn’t strike.
Spector’s been getting decent playing time, and lower end of EPL is his level.
As a utility player.
Spector is 12th man; been getting plenty of playing time. My guess is slight knock or some arrangement with Bradley or combination. Nice artlicle on him this week on Hammers website where they refer to him a doing very well and a favorite of Grants. I wouldn’t worry.
Stu has a nice little feature in the United match program today (via @BrianPrestidge), titled: “American Idol” ha.
link to yfrog.com (image)
Lichaj own goal in the 56th minute
Bradley starts on bench. Holden, Jones both in starting line-up. Don’t know why Lee Chung-Yong doesn’t start in a wide position instead of Elmander. Probably because Elmander will whine if he doesn’t start.
West Ham are so freakin’ cynical. Only play for a draw? Come on! Boring!!!
Of course when West Ham is easy to get on ESPN3, Specs isn’t even in the lineup.
New article on WHUFC website calls him “the popular midfielder,” which, as a West Ham fan who’s listened to fans whine about him for years, is kind of nice to finally hear.
are you kidding? A point at the Spurs is precious and they played well. The last save from Green was amazing. Was a perfectly fine game even if it wasn’t a ‘cracker”
Any streams for the Nurnberg Game? Chandler is starting again
Jeez this kid’s stock has plummeted, no?
ha yeah, that was an excellent point at White Hart Lane. Great 2nd half from Green. Take that point any day! And, until the last 5 minutes or so, the Hammers were attacking and coming up with a few chances.
I disagree. They failed to score. IMO a scoreless draw is only entertaining if the teams are playing at a very high level. I didn’t see that from either team.
Fair enough, we’ll have to agree to disagree. I thought this was one of the more entertaining 0-0 draws I’ve seen recently.. from the Hammers, at least.
Holden skies it but good to see him getting into an attacking position. Decent pace so far.
What a nice moment this must be for Stuart Holden. In Houston last year, starting mid now at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Hope he scores today… but hope he doesn’t score as many as United, ha.
Hannover’s up 1-0.
Agree with you Redline…not a bad 0-0 game and it is nice to see the Hammers actually look like they belong in the EPL.
He was not in Houston in 2010.
Hmm, it seems from the comments here that I’m the only one not watching one of the yanks. Freiberg-Bayern Munich has been good. 1-1 at half.
of course you’re right. It said “just over a year ago” in my head before I typed it.
Direct Kick does indeed appear to be free this weekend. The MLS schedule has popped up on all the assigned channels on my cable service.
I’m going to watch TFC-Whitecaps. Vancouver did well in pre-season so I’m curious to see if they can carry it over into the regular season. Plus, it seems like forever since I last saw DeMerit play.
bolton are playin their hearts out right now…
PennyTalk ad — Has anyone here ever taught your little brother how to make a penalty kick?
Muamba got bricks for feet. Just needs to pop one of these and get it on target.
Anyone know why Bayern are wearing black armbands?
maybe something japan related?
Perhaps feeling extra confident as a result of his national team call-up, Zak Whitbread has scored a goal.
Zac Whitbread with a goal for Norwich City. Header off a free kick
Scored it against Brad Guzan for Hull
Hannover up 2-0 now.
Seems like the rest of the league is conspiring against West Ham today, despite the point they picked up.
yeah, the guy sure looks terrible, the fact that he had good chances makes him look even worst.
Maybe you’re right. I just noticed the Freiberg players are wearing black armbands, too.
Any black armbands in the EPL?
Who are Hannover playing?
How many Champs League spots does the Bundesloiga get? Hannover is sitting in third place, and will maintain this position with a W today, so hoping to see Stevie C get some CL action next year.
*Bundesliga*
Unfortunately, I think West Ham are doomed to make the drop. I expect two of the other “W” teams will join them
No way, I’m thinking WHU will stay up. The past month has been much better and it looks like they’re finally playing like a real team. If the mid stays healthy it’s solid now… Upson and Bridge are gelling better now, and Ba is looking dangerous all the time. Let’s say I’m “cautiously optimistic”! ha
Bundesliga get two automatic spots and one for the qualifying round.
It will help Hannover cause if Bayern-Freiberg ends in a draw. Bayern has mounted a fierce 2nd half attack.
Well, I guess it’s possible. Birmingham haven’t been playing well, depite their League Cup win. Has a relegated team ever played in Eurpoe the following season?
Then again, Birmingham do have a game in hand. And West Ham next opponent is Man U.
Apparently Chandler has been sent off after a second yellow.
Ribery scored in the 88th minute to make it 2-1. So it looks like Bayern will keep pace with Hannover.
yeah, i’m not saying they look spectacular, but i’m optimistic! ha
and i googled your previous question, and it looks like Ipswich Town was promoted and promptly won the top English league in ’61-’62… but not that I could find about the modern EPL, or regarding CL/Europa. Perhaps someone else knows?
ya, im not sure how to take it though. off course its bad he was shown red but as long as he isnt too debilitated by this then it should be no worry for the upcoming USA game
holy crap, arsenal is self-destructing
Wow. Arsenal.
Just…wow. Say what you want about Cesc Fabregas’s fitness and skills this season–they’re sorely missing his leadership out on that field right now. Painful to watch.
ah, i think I misread your question… but if I’m reading it correctly now: Portsmouth (last year) qualified for Europa through the FA Cup, but were relegated from EPL. Of course they couldn’t play because they became broke and couldn’t apply for a EUFA club license, ha. (Wiki)
Bayern win 2-1. Hannover holds onto third this week, but there’s bad news next week — Bayern host Monchengladbach and Hannover are away to Dortmund.
or sent soccer shoes to Mexico?
Hannover beat Hoffenhiem, keeping them in 3rd place, 2 points ahead of Bayern Munich and 2 points behind Leverkusen who play Schalke tomorrow. Third place keeps them in CL qualifying, while 4th or 5th gets them into Europa.
if any EPL manager needs to go, my vote would be for houllier. Aston Villa has so much attacking talent but somehow he cant put together a good starting lineup. AV are too good to be relegated, but the way the season is going, it could still happen.
Stuart Holden’s knee badly damaged.
oh grossss…. giant gash on Holden’s knee form an Evans challenge. Red card to Evans for studs up. Looked 50-50 from live angle, btu the replay is not pretty. Left the ground, lead with the bottom of his foot. Hope stu’s all OK.
Holy crap! Holden is down and Jonny Evans is sent off! Holden’s knee is bleeding!
Evans sent off for a tackle on Holden. Stretchered off and will be subbed out.
shttt…….this does not look good.
Oh motherf***er.
Elmander’s kick off the mark. Damn.
I wonder if the damage is more of a gash than a structural issue. It appeared so when they showed the close up. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Evans is a dirty player, not the first time I’ve seen him injure someone. Get well soon Stu
Noooo Not again Holden!
What a ridiculous tackle.
Yeah. Not the worst tackle, but def reckless and stupid. Poor Stu.
Hoping that’s just a surface wound and not anything torn. hope Stu is alright.
Holden injured AGAIN! I guess BB doesn’t have to worry about who is going to play center for the NATS
Hopefully just a bad gash and not some structural damage…..
total roller coaster ride for Arsenal fans
Why the hell is Muamba still in this game?
crap. nasty challenge.
Well there went our chance of seeing Stu, MB, JJ, on the field at the same time. (Edu at CB)
Maybe it is just wishful thinking, but that is what it looked like to me.
STU!!!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!1
Man U haven’t slowed their attack despite being down to 10 men.
Taylor had a perfect chance and headed it straight to Van Der Sar.
We love Stu’s tenacity and heart every game, but sometimes he pays the price. Same situation as his injury against Holland, stetching out to get the ball. Really bad through ball to Stu from Yong Lee, had him wide open and played the ball in a dangerous position for Stu. Crap, hopefully it just looked terrible and he needs a few stitches.
Man U look on the verge of scoring the winner.
did it just look like a gash?
Berbatov scores. Game over.
NOT STU. NOT WHEN I’M ABOUT TO SEE YOU PLAY LIVE IN A WEEK.
I feel like if it was just a gash, he would have been able to walk off?
Goal should not count.
Berbatov was onside, but the other Manchester United player that trucked over the Keeper was not.
Bad gash up around his kneecap….no idea if it was anything worse, though…..
Well, at least I’ll score fantasy points for Evra’s “assist.”
Ouch, Holden. I hope it’s just a gash and a bruise, but I can’t see him playing in the friendlies now.
Yes, it is Japan related. All players in the Bundesliga wear a black armband this weekend. And ahead of every match there is a minute of silence as well.
It has to be sad that there are quite a few Japanese players in the Bundesliga.
Crap, I guess it’s not an assist because Jaaskelainen touched it last. Oh well. At least Evra gets points for the clean sheet.
It looked like a giant gash that was fleshy and not bleeding quite yet.. even if it wasn’t structural, looked like he’d need a lot of stitches, so would not be able to return either way.
I’m seeing around the internet that Stu’s leg is broken, but nothing confirmed.
God. That poor kid. Really, really hoping that it’s just a gash and a bad bruise.
Oh, it was Nani’s shot. Eh, never mind.
Oh man not good. Poor kid.
replay shows both players were clearly onside, Robinson kept both on. Bolton prob deserved the draw, but that was a definite good goal.
they were both on side.
can’t agree more, he is the whole reason i bought tickets!
pretty sure it was, Holden out of the game, muamba still in the game, game over.
muamba had such a horrible game, those first touches look like Findley playing out there
omg… really a horrible week for Yanks abroad so far
Lichaj OG, Chandler Red, & possibly a severe Holden injury (could just be laceration tho)
Bolton was hanging on to the match, but looked like they just lost the ability to keep doing it after Holden went down.
Not a great week for the USMNT abroad.
Technically, I think you’re right. But it was given as an assist… to Nani, who took the shot. Evra wasn’t involved.
Holden’s challenge was pretty reckless in its own right. A few inches the other day, and it looked like it could have very well been Stu putting his spikes into Evans’ knee. Hopefully the damage will prove to be less severe than it looked.
Alex Ferguson’s smile boils my blood.
would be very surprised if anyone knows that already. doesn’t mean it ultimately isn’t correct, but i’d be surprised if that isn’t unsubstantiated speculation.
ouch, just saw the Holden injury. looks bad, hope his right knee is alright. sheesh, talk about bad luck for the kid.
does BB still experiment with the 4-2-3-1? Holden was the whole reason that he started going in that direction. Makes me wonder how the lineup is effected.
Wonder what he will have to say about that tackle considering how harsh he was on the Carragher tackle.
I have to disagree. you can see that stu’s leg is swinging in to kick the ball, whereas evans goes straight in with studs up. but yeah, here’s hoping it’s nothing too serious.
something self-serving.
I hate Man U. Always have, always will.
I think the best place to get Holden’s injury news would be twitter, Jen Chang is always updating his…
They arent going to play 3 defensive midfielders again, that was a disaster.
why would he be speaking english to his cousin in mexico. callin him bro and junk.
Anyone, please post an update of Holden’s status when it’s available.
Yeah, agree. From the replays, I would guess that best outcome would be a bruise, worst would be ligament damage. From the way he was hit, I don’t think that a broken leg would be the most likely outcome, but I could be wrong.
Stu just tweeted that he will post more when he knows the extent of the injury.
I might just be in a gloomy mood, but that does not sound good.
per owen coyle, via shinguardian’s twitter:
RT @DTguardian Owen Coyle on Holden ‘his knee is wide open, we’re hoping it’s just a cut, not a break or ligament damage-we don’t know yet
This is all the more ironic considering his injury.
lol@ Dempsey tryin’ to pull of something fantastic.
Hey, chins up out there fellas! I know its been a brutal day so far for our boys, but damnit, there’s still a Clint second half to watch! This isn’t the end of the world. Cmon Deuce. The Yanks NEED a goal today!!
Hey, I’m a complete newbie to this sport. Question:
How does FSC make money? All the halftime ads were for the Premier league and FSC and it seems unlikely that they can make much advertising their own product. Obviously there is something I’m missing.
Fulham didn’t really have much of an attack going in the first half but Dempsey is just so good on the ball – really excellent.
*left knee
Demps is good, but they’re not gettin the ball to him. Pretty invisible right now.
two words: Proactive Solution
beautiful build-up and a Dempsey goal!
DEMPSEY!!!
lol, never so glad to be wrong!
Deuce has scored
in an otherwise tragic day for USMNT fans, Clint Dempsey just scored for Fulham to make the score 2-1 to Everton
He can shoot well when not trying crazy stuff it seems. Well done.
Happens to the best of us Steven..lol
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! what the BLEEP did I tell ya’ll! Deuce, not only breaking the record for goals in a season by a Yank in the EPL, but he just saved a horrific Saturday for Americans Abroad!! …what Holden injury?? haha. But for real, Deuce, thank you. Still the man! And what better than to do it at an American goalie’s expense. bwhaha
that’s Dempsey…doesn’t look like he is in it an then he scores. But that doesn’t diminish his passing and ball control.
Love that dempsey immediately went to zamora to celebrate. That’s classy. And hopefully not the last time this year zamora helps deuce look good.
Demps is like a fine wine, gets better as he ages.
In an already tragic day for USMNT fans, Tim Howard conceded a goal to Fulham to make the score 2-1 to Everton.
That crazy stuff is also known as creativity and something we need out of a few more of our players
Dempsey now has scored more PL goals (10) than: Drogba, Torres, Elmander, Cahill, Malouda, and Nani, all with 9 goals so far. Only Berba, Tevez, Nolan, Bent, and Carroll have scored more so far this season. Keep it up Deuce!
BTW, Nolan, Bent , and Carroll only have 11 goals. If Deuce scores one more then only Berba, and Tevez are ahead, which nobody will catch this season.
well played Deuce. Fulham are like the USA, they give up goals early and come raging back in the second half.. unfortunately they didn’t have enough creativity today
What happened to Bocanegra?? I saw he was subbed out due to injury.
Now let’s get the MLS show on the road!
Ipswich Town was relegated in 2001-02 and won a place in the UEFA Cup via the Fair Play award. Norwich City won the League Cup and were relegated in 1984-85, but was not able to play in Europe because England was banned due to the Heysel Disaster.
madrid and lyon wore them mid week
One own goal does not a plummeting stock make…he seems to be doing just fine starting for one of the top Championship teams.
Knocking in a few goals – against ManU – earlier this season and looking like you belong on the pitch will do wonders for a player. Fans remember things like that.