By IVES GALARCEP
FC Barcelona face their first tough test of the La Liga season today when they visit Villarreal in what should be one of the day’s more entertaining match-ups.
Neymar is expected to be healthy, as he and Lionel Messi look to build off their season-opening win last weekend. Villarreal also opened the season with a victory, on the road at Levante, and will try to deliver their home fans a rare upset of the Spanish powerhouse.
In England, Mario Balotelli is expected to make his debut for Liverpool when the Reds head to England to take on Tottenham.
Serie A’s opening weekend continues with AC Milan taking on Lazio in what should be Fernando Torres’ debut with his new club.
In women’s soccer action, the NWSL Final pits the Seattle Reign against FC Kansas City in a match-up Seattle’s stacked squad will be heavily favored in.
MLS action features D.C. United renewing acquaintances with I-95 rival New York Red Bulls, who need a result to climb back into playoff position.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s Soccer TV schedule is after the jump)
TODAY’S SOCCER ON TV
8:00 a.m. –Â Bordeaux vs Bastia – beIN Sports Connect
8:30 a.m. – Aston Villa vs. Hull City – Premier League Extra Time
8:30 a.m. – Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool – NBCSN
9:30 a.m. –Â Mainz 05 vs. Hannover 96 – GOLTV USA
11:00 a.m. –Â Metz vs Olympique Lyonnais – beIN Sports Connect
11:00 a.m. –Â Leicester City vs. Arsenal – NBCSN
11:30 a.m. – SCÂ Freiburg vs Borussia Monchengladbach – GOLTV USA
12:00 p.m. – Milan vs. Lazio – beIn Sports Connect
12:00 p.m. –Â Atalanta vs Hellas Verona – beIN Sports Connect
1:00 p.m. – Villareal vs. Barcelona – beIN Sports USA
1:00 p.m. – Toluca vs. Veracruz – Univision Deportes
2:30 p.m. – D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls – NBCSN
2:45 p.m. –Â Genoa vs Napoli – beIn Sports Connect
2:45 p.m. – Torino vs. Inter Milan – beIN Sports Connect
3:00 p.m. – Paris Saint-Germain vs. Saint-Etienne – beIN Sports Connect
3:00 p.m. – Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid – beIN Sports USA
3:00 p.m. –Â Deportivo La Coruna vs Rayo Vallecano – beIN Sports Connect
3:00 p.m. – Seattle Reign vs. FC Kansas City – ESPN 2
5:00 p.m. –Â Elche vs Granada – beIN Sports Connect
6:00 p.m. – Chivas de Guadalajara vs Cruz Azul – Univision Deportes
8:00 p.m. – Chivas USA vs. LA Galaxy – Univision Deportes
The last two goals from LAG have been mind glowingly good.
Its all about the Tico Taco
Yes they were.
And, Tiki-Tacos are good as well.
Pink cows still suck. Better spend another $20 million. Bwa ha ha.
great win for DC!
but man, Madrid totally falling apart after up 2-0. yikes.
Bill Hamid continues to raise his game. Decisions to come off the line are light years better than in the past. Granted the players in front of him have been a lot better this year. But it’s time for him to start receiving more call ups.
He is so good with those kick saves. Had a couple on Zardes against LA, and again today. Some guys go down too early but he seems to hold until the right time.
Robles had some nice reflex saves as well, but some howlers in the open field. Looks seriously uncomfortable with the ball.
So one of the key questions in Spain this year is, will Real Madrid be able to score more goals than they give up? Over/under is five per match.
Bonus points: If they sign Falcao will they simply stop putting defenders on the field entirely?
Aw, shucks. Looks like I am over.
Anyone watching the NWSL final? Sydney Leroux hasn’t been able to do much because Seattle is so stacked but I say she and Megan Rapinoe score for the win. For Kansas City, if they score it will be Amy Rodriguez.
Morales picked up two assists this weekend.
oh nice, Wood picked up an assist too.
With Cameron out I see him starting vs the Czechs.
Wenger needs to sign Jozy – he’ll get ’em some goals
he would be a good fit actually
Apparently Chicharito is moving to Real Madrid in a year long loan…
Still don’t understand it, but I guess if he plays on a good team, he can just do nothing but make runs in behind and then get tap-ins when they need a goal. He’s definitely a top-notch poacher, but pretty much nothing more.
As long as he abandons the sinking ManUre ship he’s good
as a madrid fan, im annoyed. i dont want to cheer for him. i think he will play more than at United but he still won’t start.
You and all central Americans, bunch of whiners
beIN Sports going with the smart business play, showing volleyball over a barcalona match.
Team USA baby
beINSports maybe the worst channel ever. Shows the end of a volleyball match then show 5 minutes of infomercials…then join the Barca game 20 mins in. haha.
Speaking of FC Kansas City, am I the only one who sometimes briefly mis-reads it when their FCKC acronym is used?
FCK- Copenhagen?
I get some of the best clothes at FCUK.
Pow! Moreno with a blinder. Love how LFC is pestering and closing down Spurs.
Yedlin should never have signed with tottenham. Now they have another young, English right back, dier.
I though he was suppose to be more of a CB
He is more of a cb. Walker is injured and Naughton is average at best. They started dier bc he was in good form
Liverpool have their attacking pressure back so far. Sterling on the scoresheet and Sturridge looking lively.
I think you mean, “when the Reds head to London,” not England.