Games to Watch: MLS, England, Spain, Mexican playoffs
Real Salt Lake at Montréal Impact
2:00 p.m. Saturday (MLSSocer.com)
Major League Soccer picked a very good weekend to let fans access MLS Live, its video streaming package, free of charge. This game is one of many marquee clashes across the league.
MVP candidate Patrice Bernier and red-hot forward Marco Di Vaio lead Montréal. RSL has MLS' best midfield, with rising star star Luis Gil alongside veterans Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales.
San Jose Earthquakes at Seattle Sounders
4:00 p.m. Saturday (MLSSoccer.com, Univision Deportes)
It's hard to believe that the Sounders, a perennial power, are in last place in MLS' Western Conference. But their star-studded attack - led by Mauro Rosales, Eddie Johnson and Obafemi Martins - has failed to fire this year.
San Jose has a stout defense, anchored by Honduran international Victor Bernárdez. They've also got one of MLS' best scorers in Chris Wondolowski. If the Earthquakes win in Seattle, Sounders coach Sigi Schmid could be on the hot seat.
Los Angeles Galaxy at Vancouver Whitecaps
7:00 p.m. Saturday (MLSSoccer.com)
The two-time reigning champion Galaxy are stacked with talent and depth, and are starting to hit their stride. Mike Magee is tied with Jack McInerney as MLS' top scorer, and Landon Donovan is back from his winter sabbatical.
Vancouver has speedy rookie Kekuta Manneh and wily veteran Camilo Sanvezzo. This game has the potential to be wide open and high scoring.
C.F. Monterrey at Tigres UANL
8:00 p.m. Saturday (UniMás)
U.S. national team midfielder José Francisco Torres has enjoyed a resurgence with Tigres this season, helping his team reach the Mexican League playoffs.
In the first round, Tigres face Humberto Suazo, Aldo de Nigris and the two-time reigning CONCACAF Champions League winners. Suazo scored the only goal in a 1-0 Monterrey win in the first leg.
Swansea City at Manchester United
11:00 a.m. Sunday (Fox Soccer Channel)
After winning 13 Premier League titles and two European Cups in 26 years with Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson coaches his final game at Old Trafford this weekend. Expect a raucous sendoff for the man who helped turn the Red Devils into a true global brand.
Barcelona at Atlético Madrid
12:55 p.m. Sunday (beIN Sport)
Is star-studded Barcelona starting to feel some pressure? Along with being dumped from the Champions League, Lionel Messi and company have struggled in La Liga. Now their lead over rival Real Madrid is down to eight points with four games left.
The Blaugrana still need just one more win clinch the title, but this game won't be easy. Atlético is led by ferocious striker Radamel Falcao, Spain's third-best scorer. Only Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have more goals this season.
Sporting Kansas City at Houston Dynamo
8:00 p.m. Sunday (MLSSoccer.com)
Finish off your weekend with this showdown of perennial Eastern Conference powers.
Kansas City just got forward Kei Kamara back from a loan spell at English club Norwich City. He'll make an already-strong Sporting squad, led by Graham Zusi and Claudio Bieler, even stronger.
But Houston has a well-earned reputation as one of MLS' most difficult teams to beat. Expect Brad Davis, Óscar Boniek García and Ricardo Clark to be ready for Sporting's onslaught.