Games to Watch: World Cup countdown hits high gear
Spain vs. Bolivia
4:00 p.m. Friday (ESPN3.com, ESPN Deportes)
It's been 52 years since Brazil became the only nation to ever win back-to-back World Cups, but it might happen again this year. Spain are the reigning World Cup champions and the two-time reigning European champions, and have one of the planet's deepest squads - especially in midfield. Consider that Cesc Fábregas and David Silva are backups to Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta. that's just a small slice of La Roja's star-laden roster.
Bosnia-Herzegovinia vs. Ivory Coast
8:30 p.m. Friday (beIN Sport, , Univision Deportes)
Bosnia striker Vedad Ibišević gets to visit his home town of St. Louis, Mo. on his way to the World Cup. Yes, that's right: the VFB Stuttgart striker grew up in the Gateway City - along with thousands of Bosnian expats - and played college soccer at Saint Louis University. Ivory Coast is led by two veteran stars, midfielder Yaya Touré and striker Didier Drogba.
Netherlands vs. Ghana
2:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN3.com, ESPN Deportes)
This game is big enough in its own right, but it's especially important to United States fans. Ghana will be the U.S.' first group opponent, and no one has forgotten that the Black Stars knocked the Americans out of the last two World Cups. Pay special attention to attacking brothers Jordan and André Ayew, midfielder Stephen Appiah and forward Asamoah Gyan.
Colombia vs. Senegal
5:00 p.m. Saturday (beIN Sport, beIN Sport Español)
Union fans might remember when Carlos Valdés asked to leave the team so he could improve his chances of making Colombia's World Cup squad. The move paid off. His success since leaving PPL Park has made him a near-lock with the cafeteros, along with fellow Union teammate Faryd Mondragón. This game will take place in Buenos Aires at the home stadium of San Lorenzo - which just happens to be Valdés' current team.
Turkey at United States
2:00 p.m. Sunday (ESPN2, Univision)
The U.S. struggled to get its offense in gear in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Azerbaijan. Now the competition ratchets up as Jurgen Klinsmann's team heads to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. It's a homecoming for a trio of American players with ties to the Garden State: Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore.
Turkey isn't going to the World Cup, but they're still one of Europe's trickiest teams to beat. The squad's biggest names are Atlético Madrid's Arda Turan and Borussia Dortmund's Nuri Şahin, though Turan is battling and injury. So it's not clear whether he'll play.
Greece vs. Nigeria
7:00 p.m. Tuesday (beIN Sport, beIN Sport Español)
Although the U.S. won't come any closer to Philadelphia than its game in northern New Jersey, the road to the World Cup will still pass through our region. Greece and Nigeria will bring some familiar faces to PPL Park as they make their way to Brazil. The Ethniki are led by Roma defender Vassillis Torosidis and Celtic's Georgios Samaras. The Super Eagles feature the Chelsea duo of John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses.