Weekend Watch: Everyone is Flying

By: Bob | June 8th, 2007

Seasons come and seasons go. More seasons seem to be going these days than coming. The race in Spain is in its final moments. This is it for teams looking to advance to Serie A. A champion may be crowned in Argentina. And MLS keeps on keepin’ on despite the Gold Cup. Here are a smattering of games to keep an eye on this weekend.

Saturday

Real Madrid v. Real Zaragoza - The absurdly close three-way fight for the La Liga crown enters its second to last weekend with Real Madrid on the road against a Real Zaragoza side fighting for a UEFA Cup spot. Meanwhile, Sevilla must travel to Mallorca, and Barcelona has a derby match at home against Espanyol.

PFK Samara Kryliya Sovetov v Kuban Krasnodar - You have probably been looking long and hard to find the only team not located in Moscow that has played in the Russian Premier League all fifteen years. That team is none other than Krylia Sovetov who happen to be in second place in the league at the moment. They take on a Kuban team that is middle of the table after being promoted last season.

Canada v Guadeloupe - If watching two international giants playing on neutral turf in Miami in the Gold Cup isn’t enough to get your blood pumping, you might want to have your heart checked.

Sunday

Genoa v. Napoli - This one could cause many hearts to stop in Italy. If Napoli win or tie they will be promoted to Serie A for the first time since 2000. Genoa, the oldest football club in Italy, hasn’t been in the top flight since 1995. They need a win at home to move up.

San Lorenzo v Arsenal de Sarandí - San Lorenzo are four points atop the Clasura table in Argentina with just two rounds remaining. My money says they clinch the title at home this weekend, but since I have virtually no money that isn’t saying a heck of a lot.

Ventforet Kofu v Jubilo Iwata - Everybody loves an underdog and in Japan’s J-League that means everyone loves Ventforet Kofu. They come from the smallest town of any team in the league, have the smallest budget, have virtually no pedigree, yet they are a solid mid table club this season.

DC United v New York Red Bull - Way back when in MLS this used to be a big rivalry. The fans didn’t like each other and neither did the teams. And then DC United was good and New York not so good and the rivalry was merely ok. The fun might be on again this year with the emergence of RBNY. They are ahead of DC United in the standings which should make the atmosphere at RFK Stadium this weekend quite excellent.