By DAN KARELL
A top of the table clash in Italy is the perfect way to start everyone’s weekend of soccer.
AS Roma, current leaders in Italy, take on fellow undefeated side Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico in a bid to continue their perfect start to the season. American midfielder Michael Bradley makes the bench for the first time since injuring his ankle in Costa Rica last month with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Gonzalo Higuain has been ruled out for Napoli, making their chances of winning on the road that much more difficult.
Also in action on Friday, TSG Hoffenheim square off in a Bundesliga matchup against UEFA Champions League Bayer Leverkusen, Olympique Marseille visit OGC Nice, and in the evening, Sporting KC host D.C. United in MLS action while Santos Laguna host stumbling Monterrey in Liga MX.
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):
2:30pm – Hoffenheim vs. Bayer Leverkusen – GolTV USA
2:30pm – Nice vs. Olympique Marseille – beIN Sport USA
2:45pm – AS Roma vs. Napoli – beIN Sport en Español
8pm – Sporting Kansas City vs. D.C. United – NBC Sports Network
8:30pm – Queretaro vs. Club Leon – ESPN Deportes/Azteca America
10:30pm – Santos Laguna vs. Monterrey – Univision Deportes
I have a bad feeling we are going to watch MLS cup on this terrible grass field in Kansas City.
Since Kamara left they have no chance at the cup or hosting it
I can’t tell if that penalty or not. I have no reason to really think it wasn’t…. But I’m thinking this game is over now.
Red card and penalty for Cannavaro. Roma 2-0
Amazing thing is his first yellow is 2 minutes after coming on. That is pretty impressive.
Agreed, I’m hoping our boy will come in for Pjanic since he is on a yellow card and this one seems to be in hand.
Nope. No Bradley today guys..
I wasn’t really expecting him. It’s an important game for a guy not quite up to speed. However killing a game would be perfect for Bradley any other day.
Gervinho off for Ljajic.
Pjanic with a beautiful free kick goal from right outside the penalty area. 1-0 Roma.
If anyone is watching the game, did you see Totti’s injury? Was is bad?
I can’t say for certain, but I think he stayed on a few minutes after the initial knock. My stream isn’t in english and not very clear; therefore, I didn’t see the cause of the injury.
Not that I would wish injury on anyone but may open playing time for Bradley. Can’t replace Totti though
Perhaps if Pjlanic or Strootman are moved into a more forward role. Which I guess is possible.
This is too funny. Not wishing anyone injuries, and perhaps one of the two are moved in a forward role for who? The team is winning, if Bradley is better he won’t need an injury or a midfielder moved to a forward role to start. Who wishes someone gets injured and another gets moved? Jokers.
No I agree, I was just pointing out Bradley is behind Pjlanic Strootman and DeRossi not Totti in anyway. Its going to be hard for Bradley to find many minutes and will probably have to move in January.
Why should he move? He is not a starter because there are better players ahead of him so why not contest and push those guys for their jobs. It improves his game and the others as well. Why is it the easy way route of a move that quickly comes to mind? Regardless he will play for Kilinsmann because Jurgen knows the competition he faces with AS Roma.
You keep saying that, but he WAS a regular starter before the injury. You act like he never played. When he did.
No, it isn’t realistic to expect him to start in his 1st match back in the side coming off an injury. But that doesn’t mean, “Oh, he HAS to move in January, or he’ll NEVER play.”
There’s plenty of mid-week games, dips in form, and knocks for 4 midfielders to rotate 3 spots. Especially when they don’t all play the same style.
“Who wishes someone gets injured and another gets moved?”
Most USMNT fans.
Wow what a save on the line by a Roma defender, couldn’t see who it was.
Bradley isn’t starting, Fabian Johnson isn’t starting. Anyone know what’s up with Kljestan?
Is Bradley on the bench? I can’t find that detail.
Espn has him listed on the bench,
Thanks. Hadn’t checked there.
If he is out, my guess it’s because he went 90 on Tuesday and then traveled so far. Also they have Champions league this week so I can see giving him a break.
Junior’s on the sub’s bench.
Brek Shea playing for the Stoke U21s tonight. Has a goal in the first half so maybe that’ll help him find a loan or maybe even give Hughes a second thought.
2nd thought because he played with Stoke’s Under 21? Kids is he definitely older than. You’re right, Mark Hughes should take a player’s Under 21 performance into consideration and start him in EPL. It’s his performance in practice and he has better players ahead of him. Loan will do him some good. US fans crack me up.
Fair enough but Stoke have 1 goal in there last 4 matches and just 4 all season so far. I first said maybe it’d help him find a loan and just threw it out there. If Hughes rated Shea he’d at least be making the bench and he isn’t. On the other hand Stoke also might have start turning to other options if they don’t start scoring more soon.