Top games to watch this week
Friday, June 9
Australia vs Selection Mediterranee (Toulon Tournament)
Mexico vs Qatar (Toulon Tournament)
Saturday June 10
Manchester City vs Internazionale (UEFA Champions League final)
Mexico vs Cameroon (Friendly)
Boca Juniors vs Lanús (Argentine Primera Division)
New England vs Inter Miami (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Cincinnati (MLS)
Hoston Dynamo vs Los Angeles FC (MLS)
Sunday June 11
Spezia vs Hellas Verona (Serie A)
Marítimo vs Estrela (Primeira Liga)
FIFA U-20 World Cup (Third-place match)
FIFA U-20 World Cup (Final)
England XI vs Soccer Aid World XI
Saudi Arabia vs Costa Rica (Toulon Tournament)
France vs Venezuela (Toulon Tournament)
St. Louis City vs LA Galaxy (MLS)
Portland Timbers vs Dallas (MLS)
Monday June 12
Germany vs Ukraine (Friendly)
Mexico vs Australia (Toulon Tournament)
Selection Mediterranee vs Qatar (Toulon Tournament)
Tuesday June 13
Japan vs Cote D'ivoire (Toulon Tournament)
Panama vs Morocco (Toulon Tournament)
Wednesday June 14
Netherlands vs Croatia (UEFA Nations League)
Uruguay vs Nicaragua (Friendly)
Los Angeles FC vs Houston Dynamo (MLS)
Thursday June 15
Spain vs Italy (UEFA Nations League)
Panama vs Canada (CONCACAF Nations League)
USA vs Mexico (CONCACAF Nations League)
Argentina vs Australia (Friendly)
Most-watched soccer games in the USA: May 29-June 4, 2023
The viewership numbers for soccer matches aired in the USA between May 29 and June 4, 2023 are in and it produced some interesting results given that there were no Liga MX or Premier League matches. To no one's surprise, a fixture involving one MLS side and one Liga MX club dominated the list as the LAFC-Leon matchup in the CONCACAF Champions League final grabbed the top two spots on the podium.
The honor of the most-watched fixture in the USA last week went to the second leg showdown at the BMO Stadium, which Leon won 1-0 to be crowned the champions. This game brought in 307,000 average viewers for TUDN while 242,000 viewers tuned in to FS1 to catch this encounter, meaning over half-a-million viewers watched Los Panzas Verdes lift the trophy.
Sandwiched between those two broadcasts is the MLS showdown between Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, which garnered just over 300,000 average viewers. This match, sadly, had no goals as it ended in a nil-nil draw to hand the Thorns a huge blow in the Western Conference.
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New England vs Inter Miami live this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. exclusively on MLS Pass on Apple TV
Inter Miami will take to the field for the first time since it was announced that Lionel Messi will be joining the MLS side. However, the Herons, who recently sacked head coach Phil Neville, are bottom of the Eastern Conference after winning only five of their 16 games so far. New England, on the other hand, are in fourth thanks to their 12-point advantage over the Miami franchise. However, the Revs are on a six-game winless streak, which includes a 2-1 defeat they suffered at the DRV PNK Stadium earlier this year.
St. Louis vs LA Galaxy live this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX Deportes, FOX Network, FOX Sports App, Foxsports.com, and MLS Pass on Apple TV
Over to the Western Conference, MLS fans will be treated to a clash between first and last as St. Louis City host LA Galaxy in what should be an interesting tie. The hosts have begun life in the USA top flight in spectacular fashion, with the MLS debutants picking up 28 points from their opening 15 games. However, while the expansion team is top of the table, they are only one point ahead of second-placed Seattle Sounders. LA Galaxy, on the flip side, are dead bottom in the West. With 12 points out of 15 games, Greg Vanney's side look set to miss out on the final series unless they pull off a brilliant comeback, starting with Sunday's trip to CityPark.
Although all of Europe's major leagues have now concluded, there are still plenty of games to follow, even in Europe. For example, the leagues in Scandinavia, namely in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, are still in full swing, while over in North America, the NWSL season is fully underway with a very closely-contested title race that has seen the league leaders change several times already.
Here's all you need to know ahead of another week of women's soccer.
NWSL
Matchday 11 starts on Friday, June 9th, as San Diego Wave travel to face Racing Louisville. The Wave presently sit in second place on 19 points, only behind current league leaders Portland Thorns on goal difference, and given that their match will be the first of this round, could move into top spot.
Meanwhile, the Thorns will be wrapping up matchday 11 with a road game against Orlando Pride, who were beaten 2-0 by Houston Dash last time out. Elsewhere, Gotham FC, who started matchday 10 on top of the table, have slid into fourth place following their 1-0 defeat to San Diego last time out, but could technically re-claim top spot if they defeat the aforementioned Houston Dash on Sunday and Portland, San Diego, and Washington Spirit all fail to win their respective ties.
Washington Spirit, who dropped points in a one-all draw against Louisville, presently sit in third spot on 17 points and will aim to keep up pressure on the teams ahead of them in the table when they host floundering Angel City on Saturday. And OL Reign, who have slid to fifth, will seek to pick up a crucial victory when they welcome struggling Kansas City Current this weekend.
Damallsvenskan, Toppserien, and Elitedivisionen
In Scandinavia, the top leagues in women's soccer are all still in process, with ongoing title races in Sweden's Damallsvenskan, Denmark's Elitedivisionen, and Norway's Toppserien. In Sweden, BK Häcken have a narrow lead over the chasing pack, but will certainly fancy their chances at possibly pulling further ahead given they will be facing relegation-threatened Brommapojkarna. Over in Denmark, reigning champions HB Køge still continue to lead the way as they aim to win a third consecutive title, but will still be wary of Brøndby, who are the league's most decorated side with 12 titles to their name.
And in Norway, who changed their league format to have all 10 teams play each other three times (as opposed to having championship and play-off matches), Vålerenga hold a commanding lead over the chasing pack.
Didn't find your favorite women's league on this list? No worries, as this is just a highlight of some of the exciting games coming up this week. Make sure to check out our special women's soccer page here at LiveSoccerTV.com for full broadcast info, match updates, news, and more.
Major League Soccer: Preview, broadcast info and news prior to Week 18
The world has been shaken to its very foundations after Lionel Messi uttered the words "I'm going to Miami." Since then, MLS has been the talk of all soccer analysis tables, and the league is set to experience a rise in audiences no one ever expected in the 2023 season.
But before the Argentine legend sets foot in the U.S., the league will carry on with exciting games set to be played in the competition. This week, Cincinnati and St. Louis City will try to defend their top spot in each conference against fierce opposition, while some of those trailing them try to pick up the pieces and catch up with the conference leaders.
Things in the Western Conference are a bit tighter, as only five points separate the first place from the fifth-ranked team. Needless to say, this weekend's games could bring a lot of changes, which will result in even more enticing matches.
Without further ado, here's what you should keep in mind before the eighteenth week of action in the MLS kicks off.
How to watch Week 18 in the MLS season?
With U.S. Open Cup games out of the way after this midweek's action, the weekend will give fans some top clashes to keep an eye on. Three games will be available on TV, starting with Saturday's Toronto vs Nashville fixture, where the away side will try to get closer to the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Next up, St. Louis City vs Los Angeles Galaxy will see the best and the worst teams in the Western Conference going at it, and to put a cherry on top of this busy weekend, Portland Timbers vs Dallas FC will determine if the team from Oregon can bounce back to the top half of their conference or if the away team can come closer to the No.1 place in the West. The rest of the fixtures for the weekend will be available to be streamed in over 100 countries via MLS Season Pass.
Top news of the week in Major League Soccer
Lionel Messi's signing helps Inter Miami set new milestone on social media
Soon after the announcement of Lionel Messi's decision to join Inter Miami by the player himself, reactions came from the league, from the league's commissioner Don Garber, and from regular fans across the globe. But perhaps the most impactful image of Messi's choice to join a Major League Soccer club came on social media, where Inter Miami's following increased from one million to FIVE million in a matter of hours. Can you see why Messi's arrival could rise the league to unsuspected heights?
Luciano Acosta claims Goal of the Week honors
Cincinnati's success this season has been closely linked to Luciano Acosta and his antics on the pitch, and to cap one of his best weeks with the blue and orange, the Argentine player added a Goal of the Matchday award for his records.
His shot may not have been the most stunning to ever see the light, but the setup to his golazo will not be forgotten easily by fans who watched the game.
LA Galaxy ace Chicharito facing potential knee injury
It has been a season of ups and downs for Javier Hernández, and with the team in last place of the Western Conference, the LA Galaxy seemed to be in need of their top striker. Unfortunately for them, "Chicharito" seemed to pick up a knee injury in the team's U.S. Open Cup match against Real Salt Lake, which forced the Mexican ace to be stretchered out of the pitch.
Speaking of his player's injury, coach Greg Vanney tried to keep calm even if initial diagnostics seem unflattering for Mexico's all-time top scorer.
"We don't know until we get an MRI to see where it's at, so our fingers are crossed. I have hopes and prayers that it's nothing serious, but I have concerns because the guy has had to come off the field. I always have concerns,"Vanney told reporters right after the game
For additional details regarding Major League Soccer's schedule, top scorers, and more, visit our bespoke MLS website here.
Biggest stories of the week
DONE DEAL: Real Madrid secure signature of Dortmund star
The summer transfer window just opened, but Real Madrid are ready for business.
On the heels of the shock departure of star man Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League, Los Blancos have had to put that disappointment behind them to focus on bringing in some fresh new faces. The Spanish giants have been long linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund starlet Jude Bellingham, and now, after some negotiations, the team have finally gotten their player.
Bellingham certainly won't come cheap. The English international, who set several records during his time at Signal Iduna Park, has cost Real Madrid over $100 million (€103 million). It's a massive amount for a player who is just 19, but clearly Los Blancos, like many other big teams, including Liverpool, and Manchester City, are clearly impressed with Bellingham's body of work since bursting onto the scene a few years ago.
The English attacker was one of the stars for the Three Lions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and started in all five of Gareth Southgate's side's matches in Qatar. In addition, Bellingham, who joined Borussia Dortmund in July 2020, has served as captain for die Schwarzgelben on several occasions - making him the youngest to do so - and now, will take the next big step of his nascent career as Madrid hope that he will reach greater heights under Carlo Ancelotti's tenure.
Bellingham is expected to be just one of several players Madrid will bring in this summer, as Los Blancos are still in the hunt to find a player to replace Benzema. Tottenham ace and Bellingham's English colleague Harry Kane is among those high on the team's wish-list, so it will be interesting to see if Bellingham will be one of two English signings for the Spanish powerhouse this summer.
Messi reveals reasons for snubbing Barcelona while confirming MLS move
Lionel Messi's decision to leave Europe to continue playing in North America has rocked the world. Barcelona fans feel betrayed by his decision while MLS fans are already looking forward to watching him on the pitch. But before that happens, the Argentine player decided to share the reasons why he chose to move to North America, and most of them had to do with the way in which he left Barcelona a couple of years ago.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo and Sport, the former Blaugrana ace did not hold back when discussing how his exit from Camp Nou had a direct impact in the decision made public today.
"Obviously I wanted to return, I really wanted it to happen, but on the other hand, after going through everything that happened when I left, I didn't want to be in the same situation: to wait and see what was going to happen and leave my future in someone else's hands. I wanted to decide for myself, thinking about me and my family," Messi said.
The footballer went on to admit that he did not want to carry the weight of watching players getting fired from the Blaugrana club to facilitate his signing.
"I heard that La Liga had accepted everything and that we were on the right track for me to go back, but there were many things to be sorted out before I could go back. I heard they had to sell players or to cut their wages and I did not want to go through that, or to have anything to do with those decisions," the player stated.
The 2022 World Cup winner with La Albiceleste even pointed a few fingers at some Blaugrana and La Liga execs, who were responsible for his exit in 2021 and who also blamed him for several issues that he was not even aware of.
"There were some who accused me of many things during my career at Barcelona and I am honestly tired of it, I did not want to go through that again. When I left (in 2021), La Liga had allegedly accepted my new deal and in the end it did not happen. I was afraid I was being forced to go down the same road one more time," the footballer told the Catalan media outlets.
Messi went on to discuss his relationship with president Joan Laporta and coach Xavi Hernández, admitting that if he came close to going back to Barcelona, the credit would have been for the Spanish tactician.
"Actually, I have barely spoken with president Laporta since I left, once or twice tops. I do have a lot of back and forth with Xavi, much more since he joined the team. We also spoke about me going back to the team. We were looking forward to it, because whenever anything came out we spoke about him wanting me back, if it was good for the team and for himself, and we've always kept in touch," Messi added.
Before the interview concluded, Messi admitted that he did not enjoy his time at PSG, which also had a major role on his decision to leave European football.
"I am in a moment of my life where I want to be out of the spotlight and think more about my family. I spent the past two years in a bad mood when it came to my family and I was just not enjoying myself. I had a spectacular month when we won the World Cup, but putting that aside, it was a difficult stage of my career. I want to go back to enjoying myself, I want to enjoy my family, my kids, and day-to-day activities. That is why I decided not to go back to Barcelona," Messi concluded.
The player also added that there are things left to work out about his deal with Inter Miami, but after making a decision about his future, everything should not take too much to fall into place.
Barcelona slammed over press release regarding Messi's snub to join MLS
Lionel Messi's decision to join Inter Miami has caused a lot of reactions in world football, but one of the most surprising came from one of the teams in the running to sign him after his spell with PSG came to an abrupt.
The team in question was none other than Barcelona, who were quick to react to Messi's announcement in quite a baffling manner. The Blaugrana side issued a press release where they acknowledged Messi's decision and even wished him well in his new professional move, but what really sparked controversy and criticism came later.
In the press release, Barcelona seemed to excuse president Joan Laporta from any wrongdoing in all negotiations to bring Messi back to Camp Nou, but while they did that, they ended up aiming a massive dig at the footballer, as their choice of words seemed to mock Messi's choice.
"President Laporta understood and respected Messi's decision to want to compete in a league with fewer demands, further away from the spotlight and the pressure he has been subject to in recent years," the document states.
Such comments in the press release sparked outrage from fans, who slammed Barcelona for the words chosen to express their regret on Messi's decision. "Broke club," "finished club," and "useless statement," were some of the comments this press release sparked, ultimately tarnishing the team's good name for what seems as a tacky way to show their discomfort over Messi's call.
Class act: David Moyes celebrates Europa Conference League win with 87-year-old father in heartwarming moment
For the first time in his managerial career, David Moyes has won a major trophy, and the Scottish tactician celebrated this brilliant achievement in the classiest of manners.
The 60-year-old boss led his West Ham side on Wednesday for their highly-anticipated UEFA Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina. Not only did this game give Moyes a shot at silverware, but it gave the Hammers the brilliant opportunity to end their 43-year wait for a title.
And both the manager and club achieved their goal by triumphing 2-1 over the Serie A outfit, with Said Benrahma scoring the opener courtesy of a penalty before Jarrod Bowen grabbed the winner in the 90th minute after La Viola equalized in the 67th minute.
It wasn't a brilliant performance from the London outfit but it was enough to see them win the competition as Declan Rice and Co. held out for the final few minutes to lift the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy. As a result, the West Ham players, and their manager in particular, were ecstatic following the full-time whistle.
While everyone isn't a West Ham fan, Moyes won over the Internet with his full-time celebrations after sharing this unforgettable moment with an important man in his life: his 87-year-old father. The former Manchester United boss was spotted sharing a warm embrace with his pops before bestowing David Sr. with his UEFA Europa Conference League winners medal.
This is a befitting ending to what has been a rough season for Moyes. The Scottish tactician was on the brink of being sacked a few months ago due to West Ham's relegation battle. However, the experienced manager eventually steered the London heavyweights clear of the danger zone before guiding them to European silverware in what was his 1,097th game in management.
Other key headlines from the world of soccer
TRANSFER: Benfica sign young USMNT defender for record fee
18-year-old Josh Wynder, who made his professional debut with USL side Louisville SC in 2021, will now be plying his trade for Benfica after the Eagles opted to spend approximately $1.2 million to secure his signature. It's set a new record for a player transferring out of the USA's second-tier, topping Hadji Barry's 2022 move from the Colorado Spring Switchbacks to Egyptian Premier League side Future FC.
Wynder has made a total of 45 appearances across all comps for Louisville SC, but will now be taking a huge step up in his career by signing with Benfica, who are the reigning Primeira Liga champions. Reports have indicated that he's likely expected to start out with Benfica's reserves before making the jump to the first team.
The young defender, was recently in action for the USMNT's under-20 side, who were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay in the quarter-finals of this this year's FIFA under-20 World Cup.
Benfica, for their part, are well known for scouting and developing young players, many of whom have gone on to be big players on the footballing stage. As such, the Eagles clearly feel that Wynder fits that mold, and USMNT fans will be eager to see how this promising talent further develops now that he's moving over to Europe.
Fanatiz to stream Argentine top-flight and Brasileirao games in the U.S.
The next few days will certainly keep fans guessing for good options to watch in terms of football games, and now that European leagues are coming to an end, Fanatiz will certainly give something worth-watching to their users with their coverage of South American competitions such as the Argentine Primera División or the Brasileirao.
The Argentine Primera División (or Torneo Binance LPF for sponsorship reasons) is heating up with each passing week, and this weekend's fixtures will bring fans closer to what is going on in the tournament with River Plate at the top. Los Millonarios will have their match on Monday against Banfield, in what will be a key fixture to keep an eye on.
Other games to follow will be San Lorenzo vs Central Córdoba and Boca vs Lanús, with Los Xeneizes fresh off their Copa Libertadores fixture against Colo-Colo. All of these games will be available to follow on Fanatiz.
Arsenal receive a huge boost in their Declan Rice pursuit following West Ham's Europa Conference League win
The Englishman captained the Hammers to the UEFA Europa Conference League title on Wednesday, with the London club beating Fiorentina 2-1 in the final. And with that, one huge obstacle has gone out the door, as Arsenal could not enter into negotiations with the player or the club until after the final.
As a result, the Gunners are now preparing to lodge an official bid for the player. Although it was not a secret, West Ham chairman David Sullivan confirmed to talkSPORT that the Three Lions midfielder played his final game for the Hammers and that the club will respect his wish to leave this summer.
And the great news did not stop there. According to the Telegraph, West Ham, who many had feared would initiate a bidding war due to the growing interest in Rice, are ready to sanction Declan's move to Arsenal for around £92M ($115M), which is the amount the Gunners were preparing to offer after the Europa Conference League final.
Arsenal will not want this deal to drag on for long. Mikel Arteta wants two midfielders, at the very least, and is a fan of Ilkay Gundogan and Moises Caicedo. The Brighton ace is also set to depart the Amex this summer and reportedly favors a move to the Emirates Stadium. However, whether the North London giants can afford both Rice and Caicedo is a point of contention.
