Weekend Watch: Timberrrrrrrrrs!

This is my favorite time of year. The days are getting longer, the nights are warmer and there is football being played just about everywhere you look. It is even being played in my own neighborhood this weekend and frankly that is enough to make me dance in my computer chair. Here is a look at some randomly selected games that might make you dance as well this weekend.

Saturday

Portland Timbers v Puerto Rico Islanders – Some have you inquired about the team I support. Generally speaking I support the sport of football rather than specific teams, but there is one exception. I am a firm believer in supporting local clubs and for me that means supporting the Portland Timbers. They play in the USL First Division, which is a level below MLS. A few facts about the club. They play in the stadium where Pele played his final game. They average close to 6,000 fans per game. Back in the NASL days they featured players like Peter With, Clyde Best, Clive Charles and Mick Poole. They have the undisputed king of mascots, Timber Jim. Don’t worry. I won’t use this space to talk endlessly about a team you don’t care about every week. I’ll do that by polluting cyberspace elsewhere.

VfB Stuttgart v Bayern Munich – The Bundesliga’s third place team hosts the Bundesliga’s fourth place team. Not only do both teams still have a shot of catching leaders Schalke 04, but either team could fall out of the Champions League if they finish in fourth. Needless to say, this is a big one.

Real Madrid v Valencia – An identical scenario as in the Bundesliga with third place Real Madrid hosting Valencia. Both teams are still in a fight for the La Liga championship. Both could be passed for a Champions League spot. This should be an entertaining one to watch.

Tottenham v Arsenal – The Gunners are breathing easier after the past couple of games and will almost surely finish in Champions League position. Spurs are on the cusp of an UEFA Cup spot. Regardless of their respective places in the table, these two London rivals are less than fond of one another.

Olimpia v Cerro Porteno The superclasico in Paraguay is just that.

Sunday

FC Moscow v CSKA Moscow – Not only is this a derby but it is a derby between two of the teams at the top of the Russian Premier League table. Contrary to that long forgotten rumor, Luis Figo will not be playing in this one.

Cabofriense v Botafogo – It is time for the Futebol Brasolerio Carioca – Copa Rio final. Your Wikipedia fact of the week about Cabofriense: “The club’s mascot is a marlin fish, named Espada (”Sword” in Portuguese). According to Cabofriense’s website, the marlin was chosen as a mascot because it represents strength, vigour, combativeness and technique.” Not too sure about the technique part, but I am not much of an angler.

FC Honka v MyPa – You’ve been waiting for the Veikkausliiga league in Finland to kick off but you need not wait any longer. I know nothing about the league, but I do love the names of the teams.

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Category: World Football