The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals kick off today, with Manchester United facing Bayern Munich (2:45pm, Fox Sports Espanol/FSN) and Lyon taking on Bordeaux (2:45pm, Fox Soccer Channel).
Manchester United will be looking to make its third straight Champions League final, but will need to hold off a dangerous Bayern side to do so. With Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand fit for the match, the Red Devils will have
the all-France quarterfinal will have its own intrigue as long-time power Lyon battles reigning Ligue 1 champions Bordeaux. Lyon is currently in fifth place in Ligue 1, but just three points out of first place, and will be looking to ride the momentum of its round of 16 upset of Real Madrid. Bordeaux is struggling a bit, having won just once in its past four league matches.
Europe isn't the only place with Champions League action today.
Jose Francisco Torres and Pachuca take on Toluca in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series (10pm, Fox Soccer Channel). Torres started in Pachuca's 1-0 win vs. Morelia in league action on Saturday, and should get the nod again tonight.
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Torres isn't the only American in action today. DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu will lead Rangers against St. Johnstone today, while Jay DeMerit and Watford face Crystal Palace today.
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The action for American soccer fans isn't limited to players playing. MLS commissioner Don Garber is in Toronto today, where he will announce Toronto as the host of the 2010 MLS Cup Final in November. It will mark the first time the MLS Cup Final is played outside the United States.
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The latest European-based player to be linked to a move to MLS? Colombian goalkeeper Farid Mondragon, who currently plies his trade at German side Cologne, is reportedly pondering a move to MLS. He's 38 for those of you wondering. Why MLS would need a 38-year-old goalkeeper when established veterans Jon Busch and Kevin Hartman are currently back-ups in MLS is beyond me, but we all know how the rumor mill works.
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Who do you see winning today's UEFA Champions League matches? Will you be rooting for Torres and Pachuca through the rest of the CONCACAF Tournament?
Share your thoughts below.
The best solution is to buy the rights to the games yourself, then you can watch WHATEVER, WHENEVER. Of course that bill may sting a bit.
Why’d you choose United?
As much as I don’t want it to happen Manu gets an away goal today. Bayern 1 Manu 1. I’m going against the grain, albeit a small grain, I’ll take Bordeaux 1 over Lyon 0 today.
You just called SBI a moron. You should get a prize!
some people, like myself, became United fans because they were stationed in England in the military (I served at RAF Lakenheath while in the USAF in the early 80’s). others were exposed to United because, when American TV first started showing weekly EPL games back in the early to mid nineties, there were a disproportionate number of games showing United. This is the same thing that happened when Ted Turner’s TBS “superstation” began beaming Braves games all across the country and suddenly you had Atlanta Braves fans everywhere because that’s the team they were exposed to. That is how people become fans, and it is nothing to apologize for. It just upsets you that United can kick your teams arse.
God failed to get a patent….wait that isn’t possible….
Not sure Robben can take the pain like Bond…
The MLB comparisons as I see them:
United = Yankees (annoying, very rich, but back it up)
Chelsea = Red Sox (annoying, newly very rich, think they invented the game)
Liverpool = Cardinals (annoying, rich history, 1 recent big championship)
Ribery isn’t so photogenic is he? I guess he does make Rooney look handsome by comparison. But Igor sure can play. Come on Bayern!
To me the Manchester Yankees have 22 field players that are true starters on virtually every other premier team except the top 5 or 6 clubs. For me it’s not Rooney per se, but the constant depth of talent that isn’t groomed so much as pilfered from other clubs, (even though Rooney was pilfered from Everton).
Manu fans will rebut that you didn’t have to sell the players.
I appears some TIVO company is attempting to take the credit.
Certainly it is difficult to do such things, but I don’t think anyone can argue United clearly have a better team than Bayern Munich, especially with Robben out. Bayern have a good team, but it is not of the same caliber as United in all areas except for the flanks. And also, so what if United hasn’t beaten Bayern in a knockout round ever, that has no bearing whatsoever on this game. I’m not saying United will win easily, or even win this game, but I do expect them to win over two legs. As for Arsenal, I can see them doing well at home, but Barca will kill them at the Nou Camp…
If you don’t get those channels, you can always subscribe to Foxsoccer.tv.
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Really? I already “subscribe” when I get the cable bill. Of course, there are live streams on the net, but I expect it to be live on the network that owns the rights, FSC. Total morons on this board.
(SBI-Stanley, just because that’s the game YOU want to see doesn’t mean the network is obligated to show that game. How is it that you have FSC but you don’t have any of the stations that will show the Man United-Bayern game in English? FSN is showing it, as should a few other Fox affiliates. If you choose not to subscribe to the package that includes all the soccer coverage then don’t complain when there’s a game you can’t see.
You might also want to watch the insults.)
God invented it?? Are you sure?
I did and that’s how I got Horse Racing Channel, Tennis Channel, and a bunch of other obscure sports channels with no audience but no Espanol 🙁
That’s why G-d invented the DVR…
A stream, as in, on the internet… I’m at work. I’m in Dallas.
No — they don’t show highlights or give a score.
You would, if you anted up to get the sports tier, or whatever it’s called on your system.
I don’t think either of those predictions are all that far fetched. Bayern has been really good this year and barca might have a hard time with another team that can possess with almost as much technical ability as themselves.
I’m kicking myself right now, actually I should be throwing myself off a bridge.
Not only did I sign up for classes this semester on Wednesdays from 2:30-7, but I’ve also scheduled a tax appt. tonight at 4 O CLOCK. As a die-hard soccer fan, I need to schedule my life around the Champions League, but I have failed. I have failed myself and become a laughing stock.
Predictions: Munich 2 United 2 … Bordeaux 1 Lyon 2
It looks like most local fox sports stations are showing the game live in HD – make sure you check out your local fox sports station.
I agree. Bold predictions Erik. You’ll deserve some props if they come true.
I sure how this works but I get the Horse Racing Channel, The Channel but no FSC in espanol
Arjen Robben is a dashing lad, if I do say so myself. A bit James Bondish, huh?
I can’t remember does FSC show highlights or the other game even though it’s playing it next?? I don’t know if I will watch live if they are ruining the second game as I’m watching the first.
It’s live on the Fox sports channel around Boston which in turn broadcasts in HD. And it’s not part of the sportspackage so mostly everyone will be able to see this match.
FSC is tape delaying this match? What is going on with them? This is an okay match but it’s only the first leg and I would expect a live transmission. Ridiculous imo.
(SBI-Fox Soccer Channel is showing the Lyon-Bordeaux match live, while Fox Sports Espanol and FSN are showing Manchester United-Bayern live. If you don’t get those channels, you can always subscribe to Foxsoccer.tv.
There’s nothing wrong with a 38-year old keeper if he’s still got it. Some are still at or near their peak at that age. Others are simply old. However, one has to wonder about what team would bring him in. You don’t waste an international slot on a back-up goalie. Mondragon might want to come to MLS, but where would he land?
Erik, if both of these come to pass, I will hail you long and loud as the Prophet of the Champions League!
Personally, I don’t see either one of these things happening. The Mancunians will drive right through Bayern, while Barca will do the Gunners like United and Chelsea did them.
But hey, big props to you for putting out these underdog predictions. After the ties are over, if you’re right, you need to get on here and let it be heard!!
People are forgetting to mention that Schweinsteiger is out for today’s match. That’s a big loss for Bayern. Hopefully they just defend the crap outta Rooney
Agree. But unless he’s just fed up with Germany and Europe in general, it’s hard to imagine that this isn’t just a bargaining chip for a contract extension with Cologne.
not sure where you are, but it will be on MSG+ in english here in nyc
Ives- you could have put a French guy on there NOT named Ribery.
Although I suspect few of us really know much about Bordeaux and Lyon.
anyone know where to stream the ManU-BM game for free? $10 to watch the match is ridiculous…i miss espn360.
Mondragon is excellent, and let’s remember that keepers don’t age like everyone else. He could be a difference maker for a team next season.
Nicely done.
I look at Man U and their fans (especially the American cheering section) and I see dark navy, pinstripes, and an “NY”, and it makes me a little sick. Of course, all of these teams are the Yankees of their respective leagues (e.g., “Buyern”), but there’s something about Rooney and Co. that’s a little more contemptible.
1. Right click your desired link -> Open Link in New Tab.
2. ????
3. Profit!
United will be knocked out by Bayern and Barca will be knocked out by Arsenal.
It is very difficult to make the Champions League final 2 years in a row, let alone 3, and no team has ever won it back to back.
Also, Man United, I believe has never beat Bayern in the Champpions League knockout rounds except the final in 1999. Bayern is very dangerous this year and Van Gaal has done a fantastic job with the team.
Draws for both games today. Bayern will be tough at home.
Lots of United updates. True, they have been in the news. But there’s only so much Rooney a man can take…
(SBI-Well, today it was either Rooney or Franck Ribery, so you tell me what would have been worse?)
Maybe a posible man-crush on Rooney? Lol j/p 🙂
Cant wait for the Bayern v Manchester game. Bayern needs Ribery and Robben to play and to play there best game of their careers. I am looking at a hopeful 1-0 win for Bayern.
As for Mondragon, I dont see him coming to the MLS, becuase I dont see what team would need him, especially at 38yrs old.
Have loved United for 15 years now – looking forward to another Champions League final and hopefully revenge…
Doubt we’ll the Columbian in MLS, he’ll surely want to be paid a high salary and with American being the land of the goalies – it wouldn’t make sense. Let’s go back to the likes of Henry and Raul coming over : )
Btw, count me as a bitter member of the ABU club…Anyone But United.
fail… More like honorable mention…
Three out of last five updates feature a pic of Rooney: Ives betraying his not-so-hidden bias?
first and loving it. come on Watford! Get the win. same for UTD
OT, but, can you guys make links open in new tabs? Please?
I can’t see beyond a United victory, especially if Ribery and Robben don’t play. I’m expecting a United-Barca final, although it would be nice to see an upset somewhere.