Wednesday's FIFA international fixture date makes for an unusually busy weekday of international soccer around the world, one with some tantalizing matchups setting the table for tonight's USA-Mexico bout at Estadio Azteca.
Powers Germany and Argentina square off in Frankfurt, where Germany will trot out a squad missing some key faces but one that still features Mesut Ozil, Miroslav Klose and Sami Khedira against a full-strength Argentina team that will feature the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria.
Elsewhere, England and Italy meet in a rematch of the Euro 2012 quarterfinals; France clashes with Uruguay; Belgium and the Netherlands clash in a border war featuring two attack-minded sides; and Brazil returns to action against Sweden featuring a number of players who are coming off a disappointing silver medal at the London Olympics.
Hoping for an underdog story? Look no further than Puerto Rico, which welcomes two-time defending European champion and defending World Cup champion Spain to Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel.
If you will be watching any of Wednesday's games, please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the action (TV schedule is after the jump):
WEDNESDAY'S SOCCER ON TV
2 p.m. – GOLTV – Sweden vs. Brazil
2:30 p.m. – ESPN2/ESPN3.com/Telefutura – Germany vs. Argentina
2:45 p.m. – ESPN3.com – Belgium vs. Netherlands
2:45 p.m. – ESPN3.com/Univision Deportes – France vs. Uruguay
3 p.m. – ESPN3.com – Scotland vs. Australia
4 p.m. – GOLTV – Italy vs. England (Delay, game starts at 3)
4:30 p.m. – ESPN3.com – Puerto Rico vs. Spain
7 p.m. – NBC Sports Network – Columbus Crew vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
7:30 p.m. – MLS Live/Direct Kick – Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers
8 p.m. – ESPN2/ESPN3.com/Univision – Mexico vs. USA
10 p.m. – MLS Live/Direct Kick – Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC Dallas