What to watch this weekend

Some family members of yours might think that since Reign and Sounders aren’t playing you won’t be watching soccer. Little do they know that two of the greatest soccer tournaments in the world open up this weekend. Euro 2020 (played in 2021 with sparse crowds because the Covid-19 pandemic still exists) opens today with Italy vs. Turkey. You can watch the Euros on ESPN and Univision channels. France are the favorites, but here we root for chaos.

Copa America starts on Sunday with Brazil hosting Venezuela at 2 PM PT on FOX/Univision (the total ratings for that might be bananas). FS1/2 and Uni’s TUDN/UniMas will have most of the games.

There are still World Cup Qualifiers for a bunch of men’s national teams. Concacaf’s are mostly on Paramount+/Telemundo properties. Women’s national teams are playing friendlies with RoValks providing coverage of the USWNT, since there are three Reign players on the squad.

Sidebar: The A-League elimination finals are Saturday and Sunday night at 10:05 PM PT. Sunday’s match features Jesse Daley’s Brisbane Roar. Catch them on ESPN+.

The only local side to play this weekend is Tacoma Defiance. Wade Webber’s men head to their toughest opponent of 2021. Phoenix Rising host the Baymen on Saturday at 7:30 PM PT (ESPN+). We’ll have a gamethread for that.

NWSL games to watch

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OL Reign fans get a weekend off before their squad returns to action on CBS, when the royalty invade North Carolina Courage (June 19, 1 PM PT). That game could see the debut of the OL loanees.

MLS games to watch

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Seattle Sounders fans are in their second off weekend. Which means the season is about to pick up pace. Seattle’s next game is also June 19, but at 6 PM PT on JOETv/Prime. Raul will be back.

Sure, you could watch Sporting KC vs. Austin FC at noon Saturday on ESPN+, but you have honor.

USL games to watch

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Las Vegas Lights v. San Antonio FC - Friday at 7:30 PM PT on ESPN+

First, I have to apologize for suggesting this match for presentation reasons. There will be lens flare — lots of it. There may be some other funkiness to the broadcast. But, Tacoma needs Vegas to lose, always. Also, San Antonio has Sounders loanee Shandon Hopeau (usually a sub), and a now-healthy Justin Dhillon. They’re an attractive, winning side who should pummel the road team in this contest.

• The next USL linear TV match is on ESPN Deportes when Indy XI host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on June 15 at 5 PM PT (this match is also on SiriusXM FC). Pitt is a strong, defense-first side that should be expected to be at least a quarterfinalist in 2021. Indy have cool kits.
• SiriusXM FC has two matches this weekend. The better of them from a Sounders/Defiance angle is Austin Bold at New Mexico United (June 12, 6:30 PM PT). Both of those teams are Defiance opponents and have former Sounders on the squad (Hinds, Fernandez, Azira). You can also listen to Hartford Athletic and Charlotte Independence on June 13 at 4 PM PT.

This is your AmSocc open thread for the weekend of Friday, June 4 through Tuesday, June 8. Watch with us because what else are you going to do this weekend?

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