Clint Dempsey will try to keep his torrid hot streak in the English Premier League going against a Manchester City side looking to hold on to first place in one of today's best matches.
The Cottagers are in need of points to move further away from the relegation zone, but earning any in Manchester against a City side coming off a loss to Everton won't be easy. Landon Donovan provided the winning assist in that one, and Dempsey will try to become the second straight American to send City to defeat.
In Spain, Real Madrid will look to maintain its seven-point lead on Barcelona with a win against Getafe, while Lionel Messi and crew will look to down Real Sociedad to maintain their slim hopes of catching Real Madrid.
In Mexico, Herculez and Santos Laguna will look to hold on to first place in the Primera with a win against UNAM Pumas in a battle of CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinalists.
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 TV Schedule is after the jump):
TODAY'S SOCCER ON TV
8 a.m. - ESPN2/ESPN3.com - Arsenal vs. Blackburn
9:30 a.m. - ESPN3.com - Bayer Leverkusen vs. Stuttgart
10 a.m. - Fox Soccer Channel - Wigan Athletic vs. Everton
10 a.m. - Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer.tv - Stoke City vs. Sunderland
10 a.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - Queens Park Rangers vs. Wolverhampton
10 a.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - Norwich City vs. Bolton
12 p.m. - DirecTV - Mallorca vs. Real Betis
12 p.m. - ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes - Athletic Bilbao vs. Espanyol
12:20 p.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - Birmingham City vs. Southampton
12:30 p.m. – Fox Soccer Channel - Manchester City vs. Fulham
12:30 p.m. - GOLTV - Hamburg SV vs. Bayern Munich
1 p.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - Ajaccio vs. Nice
1 p.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - Dijon vs. Valenciennes
1 p.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - Montpellier vs. Brest
1 p.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - Nancy vs. Stade Rennes
1 p.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - Paris-St. Germain vs. Evian Thonon Gaillard
1 p.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - St. Etienne vs. Lorient
2 p.m. - ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes - Getafe vs. Real Madrid
3 p.m. - FoxSoccer.tv - Bordeaux vs. Toulouse
4 p.m. - GOLTV - Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad
6 p.m. - Azteca America - Cruz Azul vs. Jaguares
6 p.m. - Galavision - Monterrey vs. San Luis
6 p.m. - Telefutura - Queretaro vs. Atlante
8 p.m. - Telemundo - Chivas de Guadalajara vs. Morelia
8 p.m. - Telefutura - Santos Laguna vs. Pumas UNAM
Well…that’s essentially what I mean by expiring, and that’s arguably worse than losing your passport.
In any case, as someone who’s worked in 8 countries in the last 7 years, relocating internationally on less than a week’s notice in some cases, and traveled in dozens more countries, I feel pretty confident saying that “passport issues” means the “passport holder” did something stupid.
Baird is like a bad tennis doubles partner, the more mistakes he makes, the more he blames others.
From what I’ve seen in real time and on replays so far, the penalty given was very questionable. The second and third city penalty shouts (neither given) seemed more like penalties though (especially Etuhu’s challenge on Silva). Wish the refs could get it right the first time.
also, his passport might have had less than year’s validity left, so he had to get a new one, as many countries won’t issue a work visa in a passport that will expire in the next year. So, he travels, doesn’t take a look at the expiration date or sees it is valid until September and says no big deal.. then after the visa interview, no dice as far as actually putting it in that passport.
Baird is having a disaster half for Fulham with an own goal and a penalty conceded. Jol seemed to think he was doing something clever by replacing Riise with Baird, but it hasn’t quite turned out.
God everything about this game blows so far. Horrible defending by Baird. Bad calls by ref. First gave a pen when it shouldn’t have. Then didn’t give one when it could have been. And Fulham are just plain awful today. F***
Anyway, I’m quickly beginning to despise Johnson as a player. He tries ANOTHER dive in the box to earn a penalty against Baird. Get up son and just play the game.
Is anyone else having trouble getting their comments to post on here? I try like 3 times each time. *test*
That was no penalty. I wish leagues would suspend players for simulation in the box!!!! It’s weak ****!!
NO. No no no no no no no. That is NOT a penalty. Johnson went to ground with no contact. Horsesh*t
And immediately after I mention Fulham and stout defending they concede a penalty. This site has jinx powers.
It’s showing, City is just turning this into a shooting gallery already. It’ll take some stout defending from Fulham to keep the score close.
Guess he wants to ensure 3 pts. Fulham are not good on the road so why not put out a very disrespectful line up – lol
Getting a work visa doesn’t mean you have to get a new passport. And yes, I’ve tried (and succeeded) getting a British work permit.
It seems fairly obvious to me that he lost his passport, and had to get a new one. That’s the only kind of passport issue there is, apart from having the thing expire.
“Passport issues” is a diplomatic way of saying the dude lost his passport and had to get a new one.
Yeah all the updates I follow on Twitter didn’t hve him listed.
According to BBC he is in the starting line-up as well. Not sure what memrook was reading
Wow, Mancini is going balls to the wall. 6 attacking players? That’s unheard of from him.
Dempsey IS starting, not sure where that came from. This could be ugly for Fulham.
Or, he’s starting at striker.
I see that. Fulham website and skysports website didn’t have him in 18 but fulham website switched that. Not skysports yet. But GREAT news regardless
soccernet has him starting – whatever that’s worth
Um I see that he is starting.
yep. looking forward to seeing his response next game. I expect him to be excellent. we’ll see.
Yeah I dunno either but I’m praying it’s not injury.
So without Dempsey today it seems impossible that Fulham will walk away with any points. Bummer for US fans not to see Deuce play against the top team in the league.
why on earth would you rest your hottest striker against City?
Dempsey NOT in 18. Please oh please because he’s being rested and not for injury please oh pretty please.
According to Soccerway the ADO/AZ game is postponed.
Stracqualarsi
Regardless of the correct spelling, it’s my vote for best EPL bowling shirt of the year
On to fulham
Putting Johnson at left back would be a waste. He could be much more useful to the US in other places.
“Lucky” indeed. You could see that the goal rattled him. None of his usual animations. Hopefully he and the rest of the team can shake it off.
Sadly this this is all too common for Everton. They are a side that has the talent to punch way above their weight class down but all too often sputter against the teams they should beat. Great club to follow but it can be very frustrating.
You’ll have to convince JK of your point of view:
“Such was Chandler’s display against Les Bleus that Klinsmann suggested that picking a left back for the squad is no longer an issue. At club level with Nuremberg, Chandler has done his thing at right back.
“I think we have a highly talented player here,” Klinsmann said in a news conference after the game. “He’s a raw talent. We can develop that one step at a time. He has that starting position. It’s his. And he’s doing very well in that process.”
FYI, first / row is now a DOT eu
“I would trust him to play important games at both positions”
Maybe you should wait until he proves he is back from injury. Also, watch the 2011 Gold Cup Final and Lichaj’s giveaway in the penalty box led to a Mexican goal.
Howard lucky to get away with that bad punch from the corner
Timmy’s having a bad night
Baines did. LD took the first one (a good one) but Baines to the left inswinger
Nice running forearm shiver
I don’t think so John, he was in the middle of the box.
I blame magnets
+1
he assisted…
What the heck did that hit? You shouldn’t have to worry about leprechauns punching the ball from under the ground on a professional pitch.
GOAL. Everton is very dangerous off corners these days.
Anichibe! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
just subbed on!
And it’s a goal that did not involve Donovan! First time in weeks.
Ball seemed to hit a divot or soemthing of the like for bad bounce.
LDs corners are spot on these days.
Took a worse bounce then a crappy little league field. Still, Timmy had his hands around it.
Everton on their heels a bit now…