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Club soccer takes a break around the world (save for the USA and Mexico) which means international fixtures take center stage this weekend.There are crucial World Cup qualifiers and high-profile friendlies headlining this weekend's action.
The European World Cup playoffs are the most important matches internationally, while American fans will be focused on the MLS Conference finals as well as the USA-Slovakia friendly. Then there is a trio of top-notch international friendlies featuring six of the world's best teams.
In other words, there will be PLENTY of great matches to watch this weekend. Here is a rundown of our picks for the Top Ten Matches to Watch, as well as the weekend's full TV schedule:
Top Ten Matches to Watch
1. Slovakia vs. USA. No Landon Donovan or Tim Howard? No problem? This match should provide a good glimpse of the depth of Bradley's squad.
2. Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo. One of the most talent-laden conference finals in MLS history kicks off tonight in a must-see battle (assuming you can stay up late enough to watch).
3. Ireland vs. France. One of these European powers will miss the World Cup and we'll get a step closer to knowing which team it will be after this showdown.
4. Portugal vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina. Can Portugal win without Cristiano Ronaldo? We are about to find out as a very dangerous Bosnian team stands in Portugal's way in this first-leg World Cup playoff match.
5. Spain vs. Argentina. Never thought you'd see Lionel Messi going against Xavi and Iniesta? Well here's your chance in this star-studded friendly.
6. Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake. Not nearly the same star power as LA-Houston, but when you have an underdog like RSL and a villain like Cuauhtemoc Blanco, you have a knockout match worth watching.
7. Brazil vs. England. This match would be higher if not for the big names to drop out of this friendly. That said, it will still be fun to watch.
8. New Zealand vs. Bahrain. Yes, it is a 2am match, but how do you pass up a chance to see a winner-take-all World Cup play-in game?
9. Italy vs. Netherlands. Remember when the Dutch torched the Italians during Euro 2008? Yep, and so do the Italians. Look for fireworks in this friendly.
10. Pachuca vs. Tigres. Jose Francisco Torres vs. Edgar Castillo in a battle of players you wish were in Slovakia this weekend instead of Mexico.
This Weekend's Soccer on TV
FRIDAY
8pm- FSC- Princeton vs. Yale
11pm- ESPN2- Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo
2am- FSC- New Zealand vs. Bahrain
SATURDAY
10am- FSC/Galavision- Slovakia vs. USA
10am- ESPN360- Wales vs. Scotland
11am- Setanta USA- Russia vs. Slovenia
Noon- FSC- Brazil vs. England
1pm- Setanta USA- Greece vs. Ukraine
2pm- FSC- England vs. Portugal(UEFA Under-21 Championships)
2:45pm- GolTV/RAI- Italy vs. Netherlands
3pm- Setanta USA (Pay Per View)- Ireland vs. France
3pm- Setanta USA- Portugal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
4pm- ESPN Deportes/ESPN360- Spain vs. Argentina
6pm- Telefutura- Pachuca vs. Tigres
6pm- Telemundo- Monterrey vs. Morelia
6pm- FSE- Jaguares vs. Atlas
6pm- Azteca America/ESPN Deportes- Puebla vs. Toluca
7:45pm- Setanta USA- Greece vs. Ukraine
8pm- FSC- Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake
8pm- Telemundo- Chivas de Guadalajara vs. Cruz Azul
8pm- Telefutura- Queretaro vs. San Luis
8pm- GolTV- Independiente Medellin vs. Once Caldas
9:30pm- Setanta USA- Portugal vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (Delayed)
SUNDAY
10am- ESPN360.com- Colombia vs. Spain (Under-17 World Cup Third Place game.)
1pm- ESPN360/Galavision- Switzerland vs. Nigeria (Under-17 World Cup Final)
1pm- Telemundo-UNAM Pumas vs. Indios
5pm- Univision- Santos Laguna vs. Club America
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Which matches are you most looking forward to? Who do you see winning the big friendlies? Ready to break a personal record for soccer viewing hours?
Share your thoughts below.
