For good reason, Los Angeles FC has been basking in the sun of the MLS headlines for several weeks.
The additions of stars Gareth Bale and Georgio Chiellini have helped put together a four-game winning streak that has LAFC looking like more than a playoff lock in the Western Conference, and perhaps, the first iteration of the juggernaut-in-waiting club to earn some hardware.
Holding it down on the continental scene is a different story than MLS, though. And Wednesday offers a chance to show how the new era of LAFC stacks up to the Liga MX field in the opening round of the Leagues Cup showcase.
LAFC and crosstown rival LA Galaxy host Club América and Chivas respectively at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday to kick off the exhibition that will almost certainly mean more than a friendly to the MLS contingent.
There is also a six-game slate of MLS action this week, and each conference has a high-stakes match in terms of the current playoff picture.
In the West, the Portland Timbers and Nashville SC are on the back end of the playoff line and go head to head on Wednesday for one that should be seen as a statement game for both sides. On the Eastern front, the Columbus Crew have successfully dug themselves out of the early-season hole they put themselves in, but face another team above the line in CF Montréal.
The Copa Libertadores is in the quarterfinal stage, and two of Brazil’s best in Corinthians and Flamengo, second and fourth place in Serie A league play respectively, do battle in the cup setting.
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Here is a look at This Week’s Top 5 Matches to Watch, as well as a full rundown of This Week’s Soccer on TV and Online:
This Week’s Top 5 Matches to Watch
1. Los Angeles FC vs América – Is LAFC Concacaf ready?
2. Guadalajara vs LA Galaxy – A chance, maybe, for the Galaxy to step out of LAFC’s shadow in the local market.
3. Portland Timbers vs Nashville SC – These two hold the last two playoff tickets in the West and can not afford to drop points on Wednesday.
4. Columbus Crew vs CF Montréal – The Crew got an accidental BYE week of sorts with a weather suspension in Charlotte on Saturday. Will they be well-rested or rusty against a playoff-caliber Montréal?
5. Corinthians vs Flamengo – The best matchup in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinal openers.
This Week’s Soccer on TV and Online
Monday
German DFB Pokal
12:01 p.m. – ESPN+ – Chemnitzer FC vs Union Berlin
12:01 p.m. – ESPN+ – Energie Cottbus vs Werder Bremen
2:46 p.m. – ESPN+ – Magdeburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Primera División
6 p.m. – Paramount+ – Rosario Central vs Central Córdoba SdE
6 p.m. – Paramount+ – Defensa y Justicia vs Arsenal
8:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Colón vs Independiente
Brasileirão
7 p.m. – Paramount+ – Santos vs Fluminense
Canadian Premier League
2 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus, fuboTV – HFX Wanderers vs York United
Colombian Primera A
9:05 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Atlético Nacional vs Deportivo Pasto
English Championship
3 p.m. – ESPN+ – Watford vs Sheffield United
French Ligue 2
2:45 p.m. – fuboTV – Sochaux vs Paris
Liga MX Femenil
8 p.m. – ESPN+ – Santos Laguna vs León
10 p.m. – fuboTV, FOX Deportes – Monterrey vs Juárez
Uruguayan Primera Division
6:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Peñarol vs Fénix
Tuesday
Major League Soccer
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV – New York Red Bulls vs Colorado Rapids
10 p.m. – ESPN+ – Seattle Sounders vs FC Dallas
UEFA Champions League
1 p.m. Sheriff vs Viktoria Plzeň
2 p.m. – Paramount+ – Monaco vs PSV
2:45 p.m. – Paramount+ – Union Saint-Gilloise vs Rangers
Copa Libertadores
8:30 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Corinthians vs Flamengo
Liga MX
9 p.m. – TUDN – Toluca vs Puebla
National Women’s Soccer League
8 p.m. – Paramount+ – Racing Louisville FC vs OL Reign
Colombian Primera A
9:05 p.m. – fuboTV – Santa Fe vs América de Cali
Copa Sudamericana
6:15 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Nacional vs Atlético Goianiense
8:30 p.m. – fuboTV – Deportivo Táchira vs Independiente del Valle
USL League One
9 p.m. – ESPN+ – Northern Colorado vs Richmond Kickers
Wednesday
Major League Soccer
7 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV – Charlotte FC vs D.C. United
7:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Columbus Crew vs CF Montréal
10:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Portland Timbers vs Nashville SC
10:30 p.m. – ESPN+, fuboTV – San Jose Earthquakes vs Inter Miami
Leagues Cup
8:30 p.m. – ESPN, fuboTV, TUDN USA – Guadalajara vs LA Galaxy
11:15 p.m. – ESPN, fuboTV, TUDN USA – Los Angeles FC vs América
Liga MX
8 p.m. – Fox Sports 1, fuboTV, FOX Deportes – Juárez vs Atlético San Luis
Copa Libertadores
8:30 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Atlético Mineiro vs Palmeiras
Copa Argentina
8:10 p.m. – fuboTV – Aldosivi vs Newell’s Old Boys
Canadian Premier League
8 p.m. – Fox Sports 2, fuboTV – Valour vs Cavalry
Copa Sudamericana
6:15 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – São Paulo vs Ceará
Club Friendly
1 p.m. – ESPN Deportes, fuboTV – Real Betis vs Real Zaragoza
USL Championship
7 p.m. – ESPN+ – New York RB II vs Memphis 901
9 p.m. – ESPN+ – New Mexico United vs Sacramento Republic
USL League One
10:30 p.m. – ESPN+ – Central Valley Fuego vs Chattanooga Red Wolves
Thursday
UEFA Europa Conference League
2:30 p.m. – Paramount+ – Brøndby vs Basel
Copa Libertadores
8:30 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Athletico-PR vs Estudiantes
Copa Sudamericana
6:15 p.m. – beIN SPORTS, fuboTV – Melgar vs Internacional