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No, you don’t get a break just because a majority of MLS players do. You have soccer to watch, lots of it. There’s a bunch of NWSL action, a full slate of USL Championship games, and if you know the dark arts you can even find a way to watch Sounders players rep their national teams in World Cup Qualifying games in 110-degree heat.
NWSL games to watch
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Washington Spirit v Orlando Pride - Sunday at 11 AM PT on Paramount+
Are Orlando really the class of the league? Well, I’m not convinced. But we should get a good test of that theory this week when they take on the Spirit. Washington has the best player between the teams (Trinity Rodman) and are playing at Audi Field.
- The Twitch game of the week is Thorns v Racing, which fine, I guess. It’s at 7:30 PM PT on Saturday night, if you’re a glutton for roses and gushing over an old greyhound track/baseball stadium that’s falling apart in the half that didn’t get renovated. The best thing about Portland is the current season of Top Chef. Watch that if you need to see the flavor of Portland.
If you have Fubo TV (affiliate link) or YouTube TV you get CBSSN.
USL games to watch
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Phoenix Rising v. San Diego Loyal - Saturday at 7:30 PM PT on ESPN+
Both teams added talent as MLS sides loaned out more dudes they weren’t using. This is a huge match for Loyal, who have stumbled to a brutal 1-4-0, -6 start. Rising are the powerhouse everyone expected, and score like 4 goals a game in June.
- Real Monarchs v. New Mexico United Friday at 7 PM PT is on Sirius XM FC. Both of these teams face Tacoma Defiance later in the year. A total of five matches are on national radio this weekend, also including the Sacramento Republic v Orange County game on Saturday at 8 PM PT.
- LA Galaxy II are all the way over in Charleston facing off against the Battery Friday night at 4 PM PT. That’s a rough road trip to pick up an L.
MLS games to watch
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Nothing. They’re off for the international break.
Games relevant to Puget Sound American Soccer Fans (Am Socc). There are four current Seattle Sounders players, plus a Tacoma Defiance player called up into international duty.
Cameroon at Nigeria (Friendly) - Friday at 11:30 AM PT on nothing
Nouhou is with the senior side in what looks to be a regular thing for the best defender in MLS. Though they are at Nigeria, that’s only technically true. The match is in Germany or Austria, or something.
Brazil vs Ecuador (WCQ) - Friday at 5:30 PM PT on FuboTV
Xavier Arreaga’s Ecuador is currently 3rd in CONMEBOL qualifying, with Brazil in first. Big challenge for Xavi.
USA vs Mexico - Sunday at 6 PM PT on CBS SN/TUDN/Paramount+
DeAndre Yedlin is back with the US, now as a seasoned veteran surrounded by young upstarts. As is usual, Mexico is the favorite. They are also the home team.
Australia vs Taiwan - Monday at Noon on nothing in the US
Brad Smith is all the way over in Kuwait for World Cup Qualifying. His exhausting journey ends in temps over 110 and heavy clouds next week. Kuwait City is not a dry heat. Also, my first ever outdoor soccer game was at that stadium, a ‘97 WCQ.
Puerto Rico at Guyana (WCQ) - Tuesday at 1 PM PT on maybe Facebook or YouTube, who knows
Alec Diaz and PRMNT are ahead of Trinidad & Tobago, but still need a strong win and help to make it to the next round of World Cup Qualifying.
Ecuador vs Peru (WCQ) - Tuesday at 2 PM PT on FuboTV, maybe
Two for one action for Seattle Sounders fans as both Xavi and Raul will be available for selection.
This is your AmSocc open thread for the weekend of Friday, June 4 through Tueday, June 8. Watch with us because what else are you going to do this weekend?
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