The Week in Soccer

2:30 p.m. Saturday (NBC, Univision Deportes)

Kansas City and Houston might not be the flashiest teams in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, but they're always among the most successful. So it's no surprise that Sporting and the Dynamo are meeting in the playoffs for the third straight year.

Kansas City has never beaten Houston in the postseason. If Graham Zusi and company can get over the hump this year, they'll host the MLS Cup final.

7:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPN3.com, ESPN Deportes)

Your eyes aren't deceiving you: The New York Cosmos really do exist again. One of the most famous team names in American soccer history came back to life this year in the second-tier North American Soccer League. Led by former Spanish national team midfielder Marcos Senna, they've reached the NASL's title game. And yes, it's called the Soccer Bowl.

8:55 a.m. Sunday (beIN Sport)

Thanks in part to American star Michael Bradley, Roma has yet to lose in 11 Serie A games this season. The opponent is one of the Italian top flight's worst teams.

11 a.m. Sunday (NBC-SN, Telemundo)

It might not be English soccer's best rivalry, but no game better symbolizes the Premier League's global might than this clash of perennial titans.

Mesut Özil, Olivier Giroud, and Arsenal head north to Old Trafford as the best team in the EPL this season. It's a perch that United used to own, but new manager David Moyes is stuck in eighth place.

3:30 p.m. Sunday (NBC)

Although Brazilian superstar Marta won't be there, veteran forward Cristiane leads a Samba Queens squad that is still South America's best. The American squad features the usual big names, including Alex Morgan, Lauren Holiday, and Delran's Carli Lloyd.

3:15 p.m. Wednesday (ESPN, UniMás)

It's do-or-die time for Mexico. El Tri's last hope of qualifying for next year's World Cup is a two-leg playoff that will span half the globe. Mexico should be favored, especially in its home game.

- Jonathan Tannenwald