7 Hot Games
SPAIN VS. CZECH REPUBLIC
Friday, 5 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3.com)
- It's a hiatus for club teams as players take part in the UEFA European Championship qualifying matches. Reigning World Cup champion Spain is atop Group I, with the Czech Republic in second.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS VS. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Friday, 9:30 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel)
- The Sounders have one of the best fan bases in MLS.
WALES VS. ENGLAND
Saturday, 11 a.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3.com)
- It's soccer's version of a Big Five game.
U.S. VS. ARGENTINA
Saturday, 7 p.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3.com)
- Argentine superstar Lionel Messi is expected to play, and a big crowd is expected at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
SCOTLAND VS. BRAZIL
Sunday, 9 a.m. (ESPN2/ESPN3.com)
- AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato is the biggest name on a Brazil squad full of young rising stars.
U.S. VS. PARAGUAY
Tuesday, 8 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel)
- A more realistic test for the Americans, at Nashville's LP Field.
UNDER-20 REGIONAL: U.S. VS. SURINAME
Tuesday, 8 p.m. (ESPN Deportes/ESPN3.com)
- The CONCACAF regional tournament in Guatemala — four semifinalists advance to the Under-20 World Cup.
— Jonathan Tannenwald
LOS ANGELES AT REAL SALT LAKE
Saturday, 9 p.m.
These are considered the two preseason favorites to win the MLS championship. The Los Angeles Galaxy have gotten off to an uneven start, beating the Seattle Sounders, 1-0, but playing the visiting New England Revolution to a 1-1 tie last week. Juninho has scored both goals this season for the Galaxy.
Real Salt Lake, the 2009 MLS champion, opened with Saturday's 1-0 win at St. Jose on a goal by Kyle Beckerman during a game played in pouring rain.
— Marc Narducci