Games to Watch: NWSL playoffs, MLS, European rivalries
Chicago Fire at New York Red Bulls
7:00 p.m. Friday (UniMás)
Major League Soccer's playoff race enters its final furlongs this weekend. Sacha Kljestan's Red Bulls are taking aim at first place in the Eastern Conference and the league's best overall record. That would put them in line to host the title game if they make it. Chicago has MLS' worst record, but a promising prospect in Harrison Shipp.
Liverpool at Manchester United
12:30 p.m. Saturday (NBC,Telemundo)
England's biggest and most famous club is finally back to playing the part. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin' Red Devils host Christian Benteke and arch-rival Liverpool in the Premier League, then make their long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday at Andres Guardado's PSV Eindhoven (2:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1).
(When I first published this post, I had Wayne Rooney's name in there, but he's out of the game after suffering a hamstring injury in training on Friday.)
Atlético Madrid at Barcelona
2:25 p.m. Saturday (beIN Sports, beIN Sports Español)
These two Spanish superpowers have played some terrific games against each other in recent years, and there's every reason to believe this meeting will be just as good. Atlético's Jackson Martínez and Antoine Griezmann bring firepower to match Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez - and just as importantly, the visitors have a rock-solid defense led by Filipe Luís and Diego Godín.
FC Kansas City at Chicago Red Stars
1:30 p.m. Sunday (Fox Sports 1)
The National Women's Soccer League playoffs begin this weekend, and plenty of national team stars will be in the spotlight. In the first semifinal, Lauren Holiday, Heather O'Reilly and Amy Rodriguez lead Kansas City against Chicago's Julie Johnston and Christen Press.
AC Milan vs. Inter Milan
2:40 p.m. Sunday (beIN Sports, beIN Sports Español)
It's been a while now since either Milan club was a real Serie A title contender - too long, surely, for the tastes of one of the world's greatest soccer cities. But the rivalry between the two clubs, both of which call the San Siro stadium home, remains as fierce as ever. Don't be surprised if the matchup between AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli (formerly of Inter, by the way) and Inter defender Gary Medel raises the heat even more.
New England Revolution at Toronto FC
5:00 p.m. Sunday (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)
If Toronto is to finally make the MLS playoffs for the first time ever, now is when the Reds must prove their chops. Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco host the high-flying Revs, led by Jermaine Jones and Lee Nguyen. Then on Wednesday, TFC heads to star-studded New York City FC to face Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard and David Villa (7:30 p.m., ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes).
Sporting Kansas City at Orlando City
7:00 pm. Sunday (Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes)
Just like the Union, Orlando still has flickering hopes of making the playoffs. A big reason why is Canadian striker Cyle Larin, whose 11 goals this season has made him a near-lock to win Rookie of the Year. He'll go up against U.S. national team defender Matt Besler, who's trying to help Kansas City hang on to a playoff spot in the wild Western Conference
Washington Spirit at Seattle Reign
9:30 p.m. Sunday (Fox Sports 1)
Seattle finished with the NWSL's best regular-season record, and not just because of Megan Rapinoe and Hope Solo. Welsh winger Jessica Fishlock and Scottish dynamo Kim Little are two of the league's most entertaining players. In the second playoff semifinal, they host Washington forward Crystal Dunn, who led the league with 15 goals and is a top U.S. national team prospect for next summer's Olympics.