Around the Leagues: Holiday Weekend Showcasing Great Slate of Soccer
November 25, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) - Sacramento Republic FC News Release
The U.S. Women's National Team returns to play while MLS Playoffs are heating up and headline the long weekend's action from the beautiful game around the globe
The Thanksgiving Day feast is always something to look forward to but over the next few days, soccer fans will have the wonderful chance to feast on observing highly anticipated footy action from all over the world.
USWNT
Perhaps the squad soccer supporters are most looking forward to watching over the weekend is the triumphant return of the U.S. Women's National Team who will be playing their first match in 261 days and also their final fixture of 2020. Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski's 23-player side will take on the Netherlands on Friday at 9:30 a.m. PT in Breda, Netherlands.
The match will mark the first game Alex Morgan since last year's World Cup final victory against the very same international team she last suited up against.
MLS Playoffs
Domestically, the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs are in full swing and have already produced some outrageous outcomes including New England Revolution knocking out Supporters Shield winner Philadelphia Union on Tuesday night and expansion-side Nashville SC upsetting Toronto FC.
Now, the Semifinals are set and return to play and will be nationally televised on Sunday when Orlando City SC host the Revs at noon PT followed by Nashville visiting Columbus Crew at 5:00 p.m. PT. The Western Conference clashes will take place midweek next week when FC Dallas travels to second-seed Seattle Sounders on Tuesday night and the top-seed in the west Sporting Kansas City hosts Minnesota United on Wednesday night.
European Leagues
In Europe, club play is back in full force including an upcoming weekend of massive league matches following a slew of sensational midweek fixtures in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League competitions.
Thanksgiving Day even features a few tempting Europa League clashes including French-club Lille hosting Italian giants AC Milan and Scottish-side Rangers - head coached by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard - host Portuguese powerhouse Benfica.
Saturday showcases a full slate of European soccer from all the major leagues but one of the more interesting matchups is the derby in the German Bundesliga when VfB Stuttgart host FC Bayern Munich in what's known across Bavaria and Swabia as the South Derby.
The weekend wraps up with a massive matchup between two London rivals when Tottenham Hotspur visit Chelsea in a heavyweight bout between two of the English Premier League's top teams in 2020. A win for USMNT player Christian Pulisic's third-place Chelsea would see the Blues leapfrog Spurs for the top spot.
Liga MX Postseason
Europe isn't the only continent with games on Turkey Day as Mexico's Liga MX 2020 Playoffs kicked off last weekend and a pair of first leg matches will play out on Thursday. Tigres UANL will host Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM pay a visit to Pachuca. Saturday sees two second leg fixtures that finished scoreless from the first leg including Leon hosting Puebla and Guadalajara visiting Club America.
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