Here are the top eight games in world soccer this week to watch on TV or your mobile streaming device:
Thursday
3:45 p.m., Italy vs. Spain, ESPN3: This is pretty good as far as friendlies go. Italy is a four-time World Cup champ; Spain won its in 2010.
5 p.m., Ecuador vs. Paraguay, beIN Sports USA: Folks can get a glimpse watching this World Cup qualifier of the Paraguay team that will play Mexico in the Georgia Dome as part of its warm-ups for the Copa America Centenario.
Friday
3:45 p.m., Netherlands vs. France, beIN Sports en Espanol: Another pretty good game for a friendly. It should feature flowing, attacking, visually pleasing football.
5 p.m., Colombia vs. U.S., Fox Soccer 2Go: This Olympic qualifying game will feature two players with Atlanta ties on the U.S. squad. It's the first of a two-game series. The winner will advance to the Summer games in Brazil.
10 p.m., Guatemala vs. U.S., beIN Sports USA: The opponent may not seem scary, but this qualifier carries importance for the U.S.'s chances of qualifying for the World Cup. It should be an easy three points, but few things with the U.S. under Jurgen Klinsmann work out as anticipated.
10:08 p.m., Canada vs. Mexico, Univision Deportes: Mexico will field a squad missing a lot of familiar faces for this World Cup qualifier. Giovani dos Santos, Oribe Peralta, Carlos Vela and Guillermo Ochoa were all omitted.
Saturday
3 p.m., NYCFC vs. New England, MLS Live: Two teams off to rough starts will tangle. Toronto has just four points from three games, while the Revs have two.
3:45 p.m., Germany vs. England, ESPN2: Germany, the defending World Cup champs, will take on a Three Lions squad that is typically long on potential, but mostly short or results.
About the Author
