First off, it’s been a weird week for soccer. Perhaps the chaos that reigned, National Lampoon-style, during my recent “vacation” to an out-of-state wedding (a.k.a. trip from hell, thanks a lot Murphy) extended beyond the Rocky Mountains and cast its destructive powers on my beloved sport, as well.
Manchester City buys wins Premier League title
Yep. That happened.
Goodbye, Women’s Soccer
The WPS permanently suspended operations after three seasons. Yeah, that f*@#ing happened, too.
This is the second professional US women’s soccer league to collapse; the WUSA ended in 2003 after three seasons. Perhaps the semi-pro leagues, WPSL and W-League, can step up. Then again, maybe there simply isn’t an audience here for soccer ladies, at least not until World Cup time. Oh, and Dancing With the Stars. That’s a pretty good gig, too.
What it would take for a US women’s soccer league to last? Pull a League of Their Own marketing strategy and shorten the skirts, er shorts? Vet potential owners better and make sure not to approve sexist d-bags? Feel free to post your thoughts below.
At least there’s something awesome coming up this weekend that should break this horrifying pattern of chaos, and that is the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final:
Champions League Final on Saturday, May 19
Bayern Munich takes on Chelsea in the CL championship on Saturday, May 19. Both Spanish super clubs (Real Madrid and Barcelona) were ousted in the semis, though props to all four teams for creating some seriously exciting soccer for us fans. Stoppage time winners, cards, penalties… It was truly a pleasure to watch.
For the final, though, both Bayern and Chelsea will be down several starters. A total of seven players are on suspension, including Blues’ captain John Terry. Bayern is in the unique position of having home-field advantage, which could tip the game in their favor.
I say desperation (and a high-level of handsome, in the form of almost not under-performing striker Fernando Torres) might give Chelsea a bit of an edge. After placing sixth in the Premier League (seriously, sixth!?), they’ll be holding tight to their last tiny shreds of dignity. I mean, come on, Chelsea’s no Liverpool. Either way, here’s hoping Bayern and Chelsea put on as good a show as they did in the semis.
• 2012 Champions League Final: Bayern Munich vs Chelsea on Saturday, May 19 at 2:30p, pre-game coverage beginning at 2p (FOX)
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Where to watch the best soccer games on US television networks. All times Eastern.
FRIDAY, MAY 18
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00a | Brazilian Soccer | Santos FC vs. Guarani SP | GolTV | Replay |
| 9:00a | UEFA Champions League: Semifinal | Barcelona vs. Chelsea | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 9:00a | Spanish Primera Division | FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid | ESPN Deportes | Replay |
| 11:00a | UEFA Champions League: Semifinal | Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 1:00p | UEFA Champions League: Semifinal | Chelsea FC vs. Barcelona FC | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 1:00p | English Premier League | Manchester City vs. Queens Park Rangers | ESPN Deportes | Replay |
| 3:00p | UEFA Champions League: Semifinal | FC Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid CF | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | German Bundesliga | Fortuna Dusseldorf vs. Hertha BSC | GolTV | Replay |
| 5:00p | UEFA Champions League | Chelsea FC vs. SSC Napoli | Fox Soccer | Replay |
SATURDAY, MAY 19
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00a | International Rivalries | Italy vs. France vs. Yugoslavia | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 10:00a | English npower Championship | Blackpool vs. West Ham United | Fox Soccer | Live |
| 11:00a | German Bundesliga | Fortuna Dusseldorf vs. Hertha BSC | GolTV | Replay |
| 1:00p | UEFA U-17 | Germany vs. Netherlands | GolTV | Replay |
| 2:30p | UEFA Champions League: Final | Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea | FOX | Live |
| 4:00p | International Rivalries | England vs. Germany | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 5:30p | International Exhibition Match | World All-Stars vs. Bayern All-Stars | Fox Soccer | Taped |
| 5:30p | Brazilian Soccer | Sport vs. Flamengo | GolTV | Live |
| 5:55p | International Club Friendly | America de Cali vs. Atletico Madrid | ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 7:30p | Argentine Soccer | River Plate vs. Guillermo Brown | GolTV | Same-day Tape |
| 8:00p | UEFA Champions League: Final | Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 9:00p | English npower Championship | Blackpool vs. West Ham United | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 10:30p | MLS Soccer | LA Galaxy at Chivas USA | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 11:30p | Brazilian Soccer | Sport vs. Flamengo | GolTV | Replay |
SUNDAY, MAY 20
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00a | UEFA Champions League: Final | Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | Argentine Soccer | River Plate vs. Guillermo Brown | GolTV | Replay |
| 6:00a | Football Rivalries | Arsenal vs. Tottenham and Dinamo Zagreb vs. Hajduk Split | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00a | UEFA U-17 | Germany vs. Netherlands | GolTV | Replay |
| 12:00p | UEFA Champions League: Final | Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 2:55p | Brazilian Soccer | Botafogo vs. Sao Paulo | ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 3:00p | French Ligue 1 | Lorient vs. Paris Saint-Germain | Fox Soccer | Live |
| 3:00p | French Ligue 1 | AJ Auxerre vs. Montpellier | Fox Soccer Plus | Live |
| 5:00p | UEFA Champions League: Final | Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 6:00p | Argentine Soccer | Racing Club vs. Boca Juniors | GolTV | Live |
| 7:00p | MLS Soccer | Chivas USA at San Jose Earthquakes | Galavision | Replay |
| 8:00p | French Ligue 1 | Lorient vs. Paris Saint-Germain | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 8:00p | Uruguayan Soccer | Penarol vs. Nacional | GolTV | Same-day Tape |
| 9:00p | Mexican Primera Division | Santos vs. Monterrey | Telefutura | Live |
MONDAY, MAY 21
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00a | English npower Championship | Blackpool vs. West Ham United | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 1:00a | Argentine Soccer | Racing Club vs. Boca Juniors | GolTV | Replay |
| 3:00a | French Ligue 1 | Lorient vs. Paris Saint-Germain | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | UEFA U-17 | Germany vs. Netherlands | GolTV | Replay |
| 1:00p | Italian Serie A: 2010/11 | AC Milan vs. Lazio | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 1:00p | Uruguayan Soccer | Penarol vs. Nacional | GolTV | Replay |
| 3:00p | English Premier League: 2011/12 | Liverpool vs. Bolton | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | Brazilian Soccer | Sport vs. Flamengo | GolTV | Replay |
| 5:00p | Football Rivalries | Ajax vs. Feyenoord and Flamengo vs. Fluminese | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 8:00p | English npower Championship | Blackpool vs. West Ham United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 11:00p | English Premier League: 2011/12 | Liverpool vs. Bolton | Fox Soccer | Replay |
TUESDAY, MAY 22
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00a | Italian Serie A: 2010/11 | AC Milan vs. Lazio | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | Uruguayan Soccer | Penarol vs. Nacional | GolTV | Replay |
| 1:00p | Italian Serie A: 2011/12 | Palermo vs. Inter Milan | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 2:25p | International Exhibition Match | Bayern Munich vs. Netherlands | ESPN Deportes | Live |
| 3:00p | English Premier League: 2011/12 | Manchester City vs. Wigan | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 8:00p | UEFA Champions League: Final | Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 9:00p | French Ligue 1 | AJ Auxerre vs. Montpellier | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00p | English Premier League: 2011/12 | Manchester City vs. Wigan | Fox Soccer | Replay |
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00a | Italian Serie A: 2011/12 | Palermo vs. Inter Milan | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 1:00p | Italian Serie A: 2011/12 | Napoli vs. AC Milan | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | English Premier League: 2011/12 | Stoke City vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | German Bundesliga | Fortuna Dusseldorf vs. Hertha BSC | GolTV | Replay |
| 5:00p | International Rivalries | Portugal vs. Spain vs. Uruguay vs. Argentina/Brazil | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 5:00p | Argentine Soccer | Racing Club vs. Boca Juniors | GolTV | Replay |
| 8:00p | French Ligue 1 | Lorient vs. Paris Saint-Germain | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 11:00p | English Premier League: 2011/12 | Stoke City vs. Manchester United | Fox Soccer | Replay |
THURSDAY, MAY 24
| Time | League or Competition | Teams | Network | Live or Replay? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00a | Italian Serie A: 2011/12 | Napoli vs. AC Milan | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00a | German Bundesliga | Fortuna Dusseldorf vs. Hertha BSC | GolTV | Replay |
| 12:00p | Esperanzas de Toulon 2012 | Marruecos vs. Mexico | Telemundo | Live |
| 1:00p | Italian Serie A: 2011/12 | Inter Milan vs. Napoli | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 3:00p | English Premier League: 2011/12 | Tottenham vs. Queens Park Rangers | Fox Soccer | Replay |
| 5:00p | Brazilian Soccer | Sport vs. Flamengo | GolTV | Replay |
| 9:00p | English npower Championship | Blackpool vs. West Ham United | Fox Soccer Plus | Replay |
| 11:00p | English Premier League: 2011/12 | Tottenham vs. Queens Park Rangers | Fox Soccer | Replay |
