Weekend Watch: Child’s Play

Repeat after me: “No, honey. I know it’s December and there are less than three weeks till Christmas, but I can’t shop/clean/ decorate/wrap/bake because there are some amazing games being played out this weekend.”

And if it works, let me know the specifics, because my family has plans for all kinds of stupid things that don’t involve soccer this weekend, and I think that’s just wrong.

For your viewing pleasure/pain, depending on the circumstances:

Saturday

US U-17 ’92s vs. Brazil U-17 ’92s, 2:30 p.m. Eastern. I love watching kids in the U-17-ish age groups. All legs and feet, like half-grown labrador pups gamboling up and down the field. But these are some seriously talented pups. I watched them kick the Russian team up and down the field yesterday with a style that made me think, “Woohoo! Some of these kids will be in MLS in a few years!” They won 2-0 but dominated almost completely. But they’ll be up against a Brazil team that just beat Turkey 7-2. Plan on an excellent game. And best of all, it’s on FSC.

Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce in Turkey. Derby time! Both teams are coming off great streaks, so expect some quality football. Musab over at Galatasaray Offside will be covering this one; be sure to check out his post-match coverage.

Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid in La Liga (Spain.) Real Madrid is at the top of La Liga. Athletic Bilbao is sitting fourth with a bullet. Bilbao has lost just once at home this season and would love to stick it to the guys at the top. Fireworks? We can hope. eleventh, so apparently this game doesn’t freakin’ matter, so never mind. My bad.

Sunday

Etoile Sportive du Sahel (Tunisia) take on Pachuca (Mexico) in the Club World Cup quarterfinals in Tokyo. CAF meets CONCACAF. Pachuca are the favorites, but Etoile are in form and could surprise.

Auxerre vs. PSG, France Ligue 1. The bottom of Ligue 1 is so tight right now that teams 11-17 in the Ligue sit no more than four points outside the relegation zone. Struggling Paris St. Germain are currently in that zone, sitting in eighteenth place with 16 points. A win would probably move them to at least temporary safety. Auxerre sit fourteenth with 20 points and need everything they can get to keep their heads above water.

Atlante vs. UNAM in Mexican Apertura Tournament Finals. Apertura is the fall tournament in the Mexican Primera League, and it’s coming to an end. Pumas UNAM came into the tournament as the 8th seed, but here they are in the finals. Atlante came in seeded number three but hasn’t had a great tournament. Thursday’s first leg ended 0-0, which means it all comes down to this game.

If you are single and/or unattached, I expect you to watch all of these games and report back to me on their beauty. And I, in turn, will tell you all about the lovely Christmas concert and the office Christmas party. Tis the season, blah, blah, blah. (But at least the office party serves alcohol.)

The Offside Blogging Team can also be found at these Offside blogs:
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Category: World Football