This weekend's soccer schedule is dominated by MLS, with some intriguing games highlighting the slate including one with major implications atop the Supporters' Shield table.
The top two teams in the Western Conference and the league — the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake — square off for the third and final time during the regular season, with the Earthquakes going for the season sweep at Buck Shaw Stadium. The last time the two teams met at Buck Shaw, RSL was reduced to nine men after red cards to Jamison Olave and Fabian Espindola and succumbed on two stoppage-time goals. Chris Wondolowski scored the late game-winner in their second meeting at Rio Tinto Stadium on June 23.
Eastern Conference contenders D.C. United and Houston also meet for a third and final time, with the Dynamo looking to topple first-place United at BBVA Compass Stadium. Prior to that game on Sunday, the league's All-Star team will be announced at halftime of the nationally televised battle between the New York Red Bulls and Seattle Sounders.
Looking for something outside of MLS? Turn your attention to Brazil, where Internacional and Santos square off in a match that has lost a bit of its luster considering Brazilian Olympians Neymar, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Leandro Damiao and Oscar won't play while they train ahead of the London Games but still boasts two of the country's top teams.
Here is this weekend's soccer on TV:
THIS WEEKEND'S SOCCER ON TV
SATURDAY
5:30 p.m. – ESPN3.com – Corinthians vs. Nautico
7 p.m. – MLS Live/Direct Kick – Philadelphia Union vs. Montreal Impact
7:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick – New England Revolution vs. Toronto FC
7:30 p.m. – MLS Live/Direct Kick – Columbus Crew vs. Sporting Kansas City
8:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick – Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
9 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick – Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas
10:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick – San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake
11 p.m. – NBC Sports Network – Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
SUNDAY
3 p.m. – GOLTV – Internacional vs. Santos
4 p.m. – ESPN/ESPN3.com – New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders
5:30 p.m. – ESPN3.com – Palmeiras vs. Sao Paulo
9 p.m. – Galavision – Houston Dynamo vs. D.C. United