By RYAN TOLMICH
Liga MX is back underway Saturday with the start of the Mexican league’s Apertura campaign joining a full slate of MLS games to highlight the day’s soccer action.
Liga MX’s return is headlined by back-to-back-champions Leon, who return to action on the heels of a magical Clausura run. Rafa Marquez and co. will begin their title defense against the last non-Leon title-winner, America. Elsewhere, last season’s runners-up Pachuca take on reigning CONCACAF Champions League winners Cruz Azul, while Santos Laguna takes on Veracruz.
Meanwhile, MLS boasts a slate of seven games, headlined by a matchup pitting reigning MLS Cup champions Sporting KC, who are undefeated in their past five contests, against the LA Galaxy. In other action, the New York Red Bulls host the San Jose Earthquakes, the Philadelphia Union visit the Chicago Fire and FC Dallas takes on the New England Revolution.
Finally, Saturday features a trio of big-name friendlies, as Barcelona take on Recreativo Huelva, Liverpool visits Preston North End and the Seattle Sounders play host to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
If you will be watching today’s matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action. (Today’s TV and web schedule can be found after the jump):
10 a.m. – Preston North End vs. Liverpool – NBC Sports Live Extra
2:40 p.m. – Recreative Huelva vs. Barcelona – beIN Sports USA
4 p.m. – Seattle Sounders vs. Tottenham Hotspur – ESPN 2
6 p.m. – Cruz Azul vs. Pachuca – Univision
6 p.m. – Veracruz vs. Santos Laguna – Univision Deportes
6 p.m. – Sporting KC vs. LA Galaxy – ESPN 2
7 p.m. – New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes– MLS Direct Kick/MLS Live
7:30 p.m. – Columbus Crew vs. Montreal Impact – MLS Direct Kick/MLS Live
8 p.m. – Monterrey vs. Universidad Guadalajara – Univision Deportes
8:30 p.m. – Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union – MLS Direct Kick/MLS Live
9 p.m. – Leon vs. America – Telemundo
9 p.m. – Houston Dynamo vs. Toronto FC – MLS Direct Kick/MLS Live
9 p.m. – FC Dallas vs. New England Revolution – MLS Direct Kick/MLS Live
10 p.m. – Atlas vs. Tigres UANL – Univision Deportes
10 p.m. – Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – MLS Direct Kick/MLS Live