Top games to watch this weekend
Friday
Borussia Dortmund vs. Werder Bremen (Bundesliga)
Puebla vs. Guadalajara (Liga MX)
Al Taawon vs. Al Ittihad (Saudi Pro League)
Al Hilal vs. Al Khaleej (Saudi Pro League)
Saturday
Liverpool vs. Everton (English Premier League)
Man City vs. Brighton (English Premier League)
Chelsea vs. Arsenal (English Premier League)
Sevilla vs. Real Madrid (La Liga)
Torino vs. Inter (Serie A)
Mainz vs. Bayern (Bundesliga)
PSG vs. Strasbourg (Ligue 1)
Al Nassr vs. Dhamk (Saudi Pro League)
Charlotte vs. Inter Miami (MLS)
Columbus Crew vs. Montreal (MLS)
Nashville vs. New York RB (MLS)
New York City vs. Chicago (MLS)
Sporting KC vs. Minnesota (MLS)
LA Galaxy vs. Dallas (MLS)
SJ Earthquakes vs. Austin (Liga MX)
América vs. Santos Laguna (Liga MX)
Tigres UANL vs. Cruz Azul (Liga MX)
Sunday
Barcelona vs. Athletic Club (La Liga)
Roma vs. Monza (Serie A)
Milan vs. Juventus (Serie A)
Pumas UNAM vs. Monterrey (Liga MX)
Most-watched soccer games in the USA: October 9-15, 2023
Another week has gone by, bringing us some interesting figures in regard to viewership numbers for soccer matches aired in the USA between October 9 and October 15. Last week saw the return of the international break, and as a result, not many games made this list.
Regardless, one fixture broke one million average viewers and that is Univision's coverage of Mexico's 2-0 win over Ghana in an international friendly. This tie, which took place over the weekend, garnered just under 1.5 million average viewers as goals from Hirving Lozano and Uriel Antuna secured them the win.
The other two fixtures to make this list were friendly games as well. In second is UniMas' coverage of Club Amercia's run-in with Guadalajara, with this match garnering 633,000 average viewers. Wrapping up the top three is the USMNT with their friendly against Germany, a game they lost 3-1. Just under 600,000 average viewers tuned in to TNT to catch this fixture, which ended in disappointment for the home fans.
For a full breakdown of last week's most-watched soccer games in the USA, click here.
What are this weekend's must-watch games?
Liverpool (4th) vs. Everton (16th) live this Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET on the USA Network, Universo, Telemundo Deportes en vivo, and Universo NOW
The Merseyside Derby is one of two highly-anticipated Premier League derbies to make our list as Liverpool prepare to host Everton in Matchweek 9's opening fixture. The Reds enter this clash on the back of their 2-2 draw away to Brighton and will want to return to winning ways. The visitors, meanwhile, beat Bournemouth 3-0 before the break and climbed to 16th, which is a huge boost in what looks to be another relegation-battling campaign from the Toffees.
Man City (3rd) vs. Brighton (6th) live this Saturday at 10 a.m. ET on the USA Network, Universo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, and Universo NOW
Reigning champions Manchester City will be in for another tough fixture, hosting Brighton this weekend. The Cityzens have lost their last two league games, going 2-1 down away to Wolves before losing 1-0 at Arsenal just before the break. The Seagulls, on the other hand, have not won any of their last four games and boast only one win from their last six matches, making this a must-win fixture for De Zerbi's side as well.
Chelsea (11th) vs. Arsenal (2nd) live this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
All eyes will be on this London Derby as two of the English capital's finest teams face off. Arsenal, fresh off their confidence-boosting victory at home to Man City, visit Chelsea this weekend with the sole aim of maintaining their winning streak. The Blues, meanwhile, won back-to-back league games before the international break and are on a three-game winning streak across all competitions, which is a far cry from their horrendous start to the campaign. However, beating Burnley and Fulham is one thing. Overcoming Arteta's high-flying side is another. Do not miss this showdown.
AC Milan (1st) vs. Juventus (3rd) live this Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET exclusively on Paramount+
Itay's two most successful clubs face off this weekend, with league leaders AC Milan hosting rivals Juventus at the San Siro. While the Rossoneri are yet to win a UEFA Champions League game this season, Pioli's men are flying high in Serie A, winning four consecutive fixtures following their embarrassing Milan Derby defeat. The Old Lady, on the other hand, beat Torino just before the international break but failed to win two out of the three games preceding that Turin Derby. Nonetheless, Allegri's side, who have been rocked by Nicolò Fagioli's seven-month ban due to illegal betting, are only four points behind Leao and Co. are should fancy their odds of upsetting AC Milan.
Barcelona (3rd) vs. Athletic Club (5th) live this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+
And finally, our last game is an Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys showdown as Barcelona host Athletic Club in La Liga. The Blaugrana, who are reeling with injuries, have struggled domestically in their recent fixtures, failing to win two out of their last three top-flight matches. Los Leones have faced similar issues this season but enter this game on the back of their 3-0 win over Almeria and could move within a point of the Catalan giants with a victory on Sunday.
Although one of the world's major leagues in women's soccer came to a conclusion last week, there are quite a few others who have only just gotten started.
Here's all you need to know ahead of another exciting weekend of women's soccer.
What to watch in women's football: October 20th to October 22nd
NWSL
With the regular season now finished as San Diego Wave were crowned the newest NWSL Shield holders, all eyes will shift towards the playoffs. As per the current rules, the top six teams from the regular NWSL season have a chance to feature in this mini-competition. The first round kicks off on Friday, October 20th, and concludes on Sunday, October 22nd.
Both San Diego Wave and Portland Thorns received a bye to the semifinals after finishing first and second in the 2023 NWSL season respectively, while North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Angel City, and NY/NJ Gotham will compete in the first round after finishing in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively.
First up on Friday will be a clash starring OL Reign vs Angel City, with the winner of that game taking on San Diego Wave on November 5th. Then, on Sunday, North Carolina Courage will lock horns with NY/NJ Gotham, with the victor facing Portland Thorns, also on November 5th.
WSL
Matchday four of the 2023/24 WSL season gets underway on Saturday, October 21st featuring a double-header. First up is Aston Villa vs. Tottenham, with the home side hoping to finally pick up their first points of the season after a poor start, while Spurs could temporarily leap into top spot should they earn a third win on the bounce at the expense of their floundering hosts. Then, it's an intriguing top-of-the-table clash featuring title contenders Manchester City traveling to battle Leicester City, who surprisingly are also on top of the table after a roaring start to the nascent campaign.
On Sunday, Manchester United will look to find their bearings when they travel to face Everton while reigning champions Chelsea will seek to keep up the pressure on the teams ahead of them in the table and earn a crucial victory over a Brighton side who will be desperate to avoid losing a third game in a row. Then, West Ham will welcome Liverpool in what could be a very tense battle, especially given that both teams will come into this match having lost their respective games last round.
Sunday's games will end with last-placed Bristol City, who were promoted after winning the Championship last season, hoping to find some kind of redemption when Arsenal come to town. The Gunners, for their part, have not started the season off on the best footing, so this match could present a great chance for them to pick up some much-needed points.
Serie A (Women)
Matchday five of the current Serie A season kicks off on Saturday as Inter Milan, who sit in fourth spot, host a Napoli side who are truly finding life in the top flight a lot more challenging than expected. Following that very early kick-off (especially for those who live in North America), the second game featuring Sassuolo, who have yet to win a game this season, and Como, who sit in fifth, will get underway.
On Sunday, fans will be treated to a triple-header. First up is AC Milan welcoming Pomigliano; given their visitors' struggles this season, it is safe to say that the Rossonere will be hoping to take full advantage to start closing the gap on the teams ahead of them in the table. Then, it's a crunch clash starring Fiorentina and Juventus, with both sides sitting in second and third respectively ahead of this round's games. Depending on the outcome of that match, either Fiorentina or Juventus could jump ahead of current league leaders Roma - at least for a few hours.
Finally, Roma, who are the reigning Scudetto champions, will need to ensure that they pick up all three points on the road against Sampdoria, as the Giallorosse could find themselves knocked out of the top spot even before they take to the pitch in that match, which kicks off at 11.00 AM EST.
Top news in women's football
Shocking end to UWCL campaign for heavyweights Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg have now become the latest victims of surprise package Paris after the French side dumped them out of the UEFA Women's Champions League. The German side, who were finalists in the last edition, were the natural heavy favorites to progress to the group stages but were dealt a major shock after losing the second leg 2-0.
The first leg had finished as a 3-3 draw after an exciting game, but Paris were by far the better side, scoring twice sans reply to progress to the group stage for the first time since the club was rebranded as Paris FC back in 2017. Nigeria's Chiamaka Nnadozie was also a key protagonist during the match, pulling off a stunning save to deny Dominique Janssen from the spot before Louise Fleury's late, late goal was enough to put the tense tie to bed and ensure that Paris would have a chance to compete in the group stages of this season's Champions League.
It's a notable win for the French side, who also ended Arsenal's hopes in the playoffs earlier this season. Now, they will turn their attention back towards domestic affairs while awaiting their upcoming opponents in the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage.
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.
MLS Decision Day 2023: Key matches, TV listings, live-streaming - October 21
The big day has finally come for MLS fans.
Known as Decision Day, it truly is a huge moment for many teams in MLS as they vie for a coveted spot in the post-season cup playoffs.
Here's all you need to know ahead of MLS Decision Day 2023.
What is MLS Decision Day 2023?
Decision Day is basically the last game of the 2023 MLS season. It gets its name due to the fact that some of the places in the annual MLS Cup playoffs are decided on the final day - hence why the American league has decided to call it "Decision Day".
When is MLS Decision Day 2023?
MLS Decision Day 2023 will be taking place on Saturday, October 21st. Some of the matches kick off at 6 pm EST (3 pm PST) while the rest have a starting time of 9 pm EST (6 pm PST).
How can I watch MLS Decision Day 2023?
All 14 matches from MLS Decision Day 2023 will be live-streamed via MLS Pass on Apple TV. This service is available in the USA plus a wide range of other countries, including the UK, Canada, Mexico, and Australia.
Will Lionel Messi and Inter Miami be taking part in MLS Decision Day 2023?
The short answer to this question is yes. However, Messi and his Inter Miami teammates will be merely playing for pride when they face Charlotte in their last regular season match of 2023. Despite the Herons experiencing a huge uptick in form when Messi joined them earlier this summer, the celebrations were short-lived after the Argentinian superstar picked up an injury that kept him on the sidelines for weeks.
It was always going to be a long-shot for Inter Miami to reach the playoffs after a horrible start to the season, and in the end it appeared to be a bridge too far for the Herons, who come into their upcoming match sitting in 14th place and after losing to Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati a few rounds back, were eliminated from the post-season playoff competition.
However, fans may get a chance to see Messi back on the pitch, as numerous reports indicate that the 36-year-old could be involved in some capacity in his team's final game of the season.
How many teams have qualified for the postseason playoffs ahead of MLS Decision Day 2023?
So far, 13 teams have already qualified for the postseason playoffs ahead of MLS Decision Day 2023. A total of 18 teams are eligible to feature (nine from the Eastern Conference and nine from the Western Conference).
In the Eastern Conference, seven teams have already qualified: Cincinnati, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, Atlanta United and Nashville.
Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, six teams have already qualified: St Louis City, Los Angeles, Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps.
What teams will be battling for a playoff spot heading into MLS Decision Day 2023?
In the Eastern Conference, there are only two spots remaining. With Inter Miami, Toronto, and DC United already eliminated, the battle will be contested between the following teams: Chicago Fire, Charlotte FC, New York City, Montréal, and New York Red Bulls.
Over in the Western Conference, there are three spots remaining to complete the set of nine. San Jose Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas City, Minnesota United, Portland Timbers, and Dallas will be the teams fighting for the last three spots, with Austin, LA Galaxy, and Colorado Rapids already eliminated.
What are some of the key games taking place on MLS Decision Day 2023?
Given that both are battling for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, Minnesota United vs Sporting Kansas City is set to be a real nail-biter for fans and neutrals alike. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference also has a crunch clash starring New York City and Chicago Fire, both of who are among the teams all hoping to book a ticket to the postseason MLS Cup.
Make sure you do not miss out on these key games and all matches taking place during MLS Decision Day 2023 by bookmarking our special MLS matchpage here.
Biggest stories of the week
Ligue 1, Copa de la Liga, and Brasileirao, all on Fanatiz this weekend
The return of club soccer is here, and fans all over the United States will get a piece of all the action thanks to Fanatiz's comprehensive coverage.
The streaming platform will bring fans closer to their favorite teams with in-depth analysis and commentary emerging from the games being held in South America and Europe. Some of those fixtures will see epic showdowns taking place, while there will also be matches featuring some of the most prolific teams in European football.
In what could be the most attractive game of the weekend in Ligue 1, Nice will be facing Marseille at Allianz Riviera Stadium. The game where they will face L'Om is crucial for both sides, as Nice try to topple Monaco off the top of the table, while Marseille are desperate to rejoin the title race.
Messi or Haaland? 2023 Ballon d'Or winner controversially leaked in now deleted report
The 2023 Ballon d'Or will be awarded later this month, with most believing this year's prize is a straight battle between Manchester City star Erling Haaland and Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
Both men have achieved tremendous milestones over the past 12 months to merit the award. On one side, you have the Norwegian striker who scored a whopping 52 goals in his debut season for Pep Guardiola's side to guide them to the treble — the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup titles.
With that in mind, a controversial report from well-known Spanish news outlet Sport emerged. According to the Catalan source, Messi has been chosen as the winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or.
Neymar has torn knee ligament, facing surgery
Football superstar Neymar has a torn ligament and meniscus in his left knee and will have to undergo surgery after being injured during Brazil's 2-0 loss to Uruguay, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said Wednesday.
The 31-year-old, who joined Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in August, was stretchered off in tears just before halftime in Brazil's 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Montevideo Tuesday.
Neymar will undergo surgery for the injuries at a "yet-to-be-determined date," the CBF said, after a series of medical exams on the player in Sao Paulo.
Spain call up Hermoso for first time since forced kiss scandal
Jenni Hermoso was on Wednesday included in the Spain women's squad for the first time since the scandal over the unsolicited kiss former federation president Luis Rubiales gave her following the Women's World Cup final in Australia.
New coach Montse Tome included the 33-year-old midfielder, who plays for Mexican side Pachuca, in her squad to face Switzerland and Italy later this month in the Nations League.
Hermoso has been in the eye of the storm that shook Spanish football after Rubiales forcibly kissed her on the lips during the awards ceremony after Spain beat England in the Women's World Cup final in Australia on August 20.
Other key headlines from the world of soccer
Barcelona president Joan Laporta charged over referee scandal: court
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been charged as part of the investigation into alleged bribes paid to referees, a Spanish court said on Wednesday. The club itself and two of its former presidents, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, as well as the former head of Spain's referee's body, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, and his son have already been charged. Laporta has been charged in relation to his first spell as president of Barcelona from 2003 to 2010.
Former US skipper Bradley announces retirement
Former United States international captain Michael Bradley said Tuesday he will retire from football at the end of this year's Major League Soccer season. Bradley, 36, said in a statement he will hang up his boots after a two-decade career following Toronto's clash with Orlando City SC on Saturday. The veteran midfielder played 151 times for the United States between 2006 and 2019, and was a key figure in the US campaigns at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
England seal Euro 2024 berth as Kane double sinks Italy
England booked their place at Euro 2024 as Harry Kane's double inspired an impressive fightback to beat holders Italy 3-1 at Wembley on Tuesday. Needing a point to be certain of qualifying for next year's tournament in Germany, Gareth Southgate's side fell behind to Gianluca Scamacca's early goal. But, fuelled by a superb display from Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, England hit back to win 3-1 and book their ticket.
