Bayern Munich have gotten off to a perfect start in the 2012-13 edition of the Bundesliga, winning each of their first three games. On Saturday, though, they face a difficult test as they travel to Gelsenkirchen to take on Schalke 04.
In what is probably the day's best matchup not just in Germany but all throughout Europe, a Bayern team that has won its first five games across three competitions faces a Schalke side that will feature American international Jermaine Jones. Schalke, like Bayern, enter the match on a high having won in the Champions League this past week, and they will look to take advantage of a Munich team that will likely be without dangerous winger Franck Ribery.
If you're looking for some English Premier League action, league leaders Chelsea host a Stoke City team that includes two Americans in Geoff Cameron and Maurice Edu. Tim Howard and Everton also are in action, traveling to Swansea City in the day's first matchup.
Later tonight, the Major League Soccer stretch run continues with several games that have playoff implications. The Chicago Fire host the Columbus Crew in a crucial Eastern Conference game, while the Seattle Sounders play host to the San Jose Earthquakes in what is a must-win situation for the Sounders if they have any hopes of capturing the Supporters' Shield.
If you will be watching any of today's games, 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):
7:45am – ESPN2 – Swansea City vs. Everton
9:30am – GolTV – Schalke 04 vs. Bayern Munich
10am – Fox Soccer Channel – Chelsea vs. Stoke City
10am – Fox Soccer Plus – West Bromwich Albion vs. Reading
10am – FoxSoccer2Go – Southampton vs. Aston Villa
10am – FoxSoccer2Go – West Ham vs Sunderland
10am – FoxSoccer2Go – Wigan Athletic vs. Fulham
10am – BeIN Sport – Real Zaragoza vs. Osasuna
11am – Univision Deportes – Bastia vs. Paris St. Germain
11:30am – GolTV – Hamburg vs. Borussia Dortmund (Delay)
Noon – beIN Sport Espanol – Parma vs. Fiorentina
1pm – MLS Direct Kick – Montreal Impact vs. Sporting Kansas City
2pm – beIN Sport – Real Betis vs. Espanyol
2pm – Univision Deportes – Loriente vs. Nice
3:30pm – ESPN3.com – Porto vs. Beira-Mar
4pm – beIN Sport – Barcelona vs. Granada
7:30pm – MSG/MLS Direct Kick – NE Revolution vs. NY Red Bulls
8pm – NBC Sports Network – Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers
8:30pm – MLS Direct Kick – Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew
10:30pm – MLS Direct Kick – LA Galaxy vs. Toronto FC
10:30pm – MLS Direct Kick – Seattle Sounders vs. SJ Earthquakes
Big Geoff at fault on that goal? Was that him trailing? Not that he can be blamed too much. It’s asking too much for him to keep pace with Cole on a counter.
I believe he has fallen into the massive over generalization based on preconceived notions trap.
Wow, I hate Chelsea so much…..
McBride, by a good margin. He spent a much longer period of time playing at the highest level and was considered the best player on a Prem team for several years. He was also more important to the USMNT. For a long time, the MNT strategy completely revolved around BMCs hold up and target play. He was able to nick goals and maintain possession while allowing USA to play a defensive shell and clear the ball safely upfield without having to make multiple passes through our weak midfield. He was an absolute beast who left everything on the pitch.
Ouch. Villa gives up 3 goals in 14 minute span. What happened?
And yet a few mins after this thread, Oscar shows nice skill with the touch to set up a shot that just goes wide.
He’s been practicing with the squad for weeks/months at this point. If this is all he’s showing on the pitch I wouldn’t hold out hope.
It’s just not a style of play that fits in a rigid system-oriented league like the EPL. You have to play your position and area on the pitch and with the speed of play/aggressiveness of defenses, causing confusion and bunching up is a nightmare giving defenses the ability to completely shut down the offense.
Like I said, he’s got loads of talent, but this is becoming a real issue with Brazilian players trying to make the jumps to non-samba leagues.
There it is! Duff gets a second. I’m heartened by how Fulham is playing these days.
I get it, it’s Wigan, but still…
Oh, there are plenty of worse ones. 😉
One of the worst posts on here
Wow, that’s pretty harsh on a 21 year old? He IS out of position a fair bit but you yourself said he has only played 120 minutes for the team. I’d say he just needs more time. Thoughts?
Oscar has absolutely no concept of team and player positioning. This is what you get with Brazilians who have been raised to believe they are God incarnate on the field. Loads of skill, but no idea how to play as a team–and that’s why most of them fail coming over to Europe.
Also, not surprisingly it took all of 120 minutes of play for Chelsea before Oscar was booked for diving.
Hey Ives, any luck getting reports of Canadian players in Europe? There’s Oliver Occean who starts for Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Curious about him
O/T but why is it that somany of US strikers who excel in MLS seem to flop in Europe or for the NT?
Taylor Twellman. Incredible striker. Flop for the Nats
EJ. Solid striker. Decent for a while but withered away for the Nats and did bad in England.
Josh Wolff, Edson Buddle, list goes on
They should hold out for 30m plus if selling to an English club. If they sell abroad it should be for how much Spurs got for Modric.
He was training with the team at some point this week but I don’t know if he’s ready yet.
Oscar is getting in the way of Torres or you might say that they are trying for the same space. Chelsea is playing some dominating ball but they seem to be crowding themselves in the box.
Edu not making the bench yet doesn’t worry me. We’re stacked at DM for the MNT. Competition will only be good for him
Is Mikey healthy yet? Might we see him dress tomorrow?
Brian McBride and Eric Wynalda. which is the better striker?
Was it 17 or 15m? Either way, you make a good point. I think I subconciously underestimate that type of stuff b/c I think people overlook Everton. Let’s say 30!
I love Dempsey, but I sort of agree. I think a lot of people around here view Dempsey as if he can do no wrong and eeee-vil Jol was the one trying to singlehandedly keep him from his happiness.
Just my view.
San Jose will lose and someone will blame the turf
There is a professional way to leave a club and there is what Dempsey did. Same reason why Arsenal fans hate Nasri
Why would want them to go to Holland? So they can give up 3-4 goals a game?
Well Fulham are going to need a new GK soon. Maybe Hamid and Johnson will be on the potential shortlist.
what’s up with the Fulham fans hating on Dempsey? Get over it. He’s your record goal scorer and has done a lot for your club. 5.5 years of service. 50 league goals in 180 league matches I believe and some of that was as a sub.
Maybe next summer. Perhaps a Championship club will come in for them but Holland would be a great league.
How are Guzan and Lichaj doing for AV? Thank God Guzan is finally getting his chance at his club. Perhaps JK will give him the friendly against Russia to start. We need a solid number 3 as well. Maybe it’s time for Sean Johnson and Bill Hamid to make the move to Europe. A Scandinavian league or Holland perhaps? At least within the next year
Oh hey Cameron, let’s get you a run out against Torres Mata and Hazard. Enjoy!
Hat trick for Jozy tomorrow?
Cameron is fighting hard back there. He has been making some good plays. Gave it away once but passing out of the back is tough against Chelsea with the speed lineup in the game.
It wouldn’t be worth it selling at that price. Since they already paid 17m for him.
This dude Cameron is a complete star of the future except that he’s 27. I see him as a starter for 2014. But unsure of who will partner him. I doubt Boca or Gooch. No way Goodson. Maybe Gonzalez or Ream
Not surprising since they signed like 50 CMs this summer.
I agree it was a great performance and Fellaini is playing ball right now. Top-3? My first thought would be no but then I got to trying to name ‘all-arounders’ that are better. I suppose it’s how you define it but yeah, sure. Why not? He’s a beast, that much is true.
Eric Lichaj starting on defense for Aston Villa.
I hope he gets a call in October…
he’s clearly “depth” at best. I wonder why he didn’t sign with a French or Turkish club. Money perhaps?
Oh, I hate to think that it could happen (but it probably will).
£20m would be nice?
Stoke has got to be one of the tallest teams in the World.
How about Edu not even making the bench, that can’t be good for the NT
Robbie Findley just assisted in his debut Gilliganham.
EvertonBrian,
So how much do you think Everton will get for get for him this January?
One of the best performances I’ve seen from Everton in the 12 years I’ve been supporting them. They should’ve have 5 or 6. Timmy had a couple of crucial saves.
And I’m gonna say it… Marouane Fellaini is one of the 3 best all-around footballers in the world. He does it all. Today we won everything in the air (like always), had a goal, an assist, and a hockey assist.
Geoff Cameron starting at right back today
Dyer really changed the second half until he promptly got red carded.
Howard has been superb. Not a jinx.
Jeez, this second half has started with a storm. Both keepers have made sharp stops in the first 8 minutes of the half.
Nice stop by Howard at the end of the half.
If LD10 signs with everton this winter the toffees could really make run at the top 4 year assuming they keep felliani