The top games to watch in world soccer this week on your TV or mobile streaming device:
Monday
2:45 p.m., Croatia vs. Turkey, ESPN3: Croatia's roster is filled with some of the world's best players, while Turkey is perennially on the doorstep of becoming one of Europe's better teams. This World Cup qualifier should be exciting.
Tuesday
2:45 p.m., Switzerland vs. Portugal, Fox Sports 1: Though Portugal is the European champs, it will play this World Cup qualifier without Cristiano Ronaldo. Switzerland isn't a pushover. Though it was immensely disappointing at the Euros, it is more than capable of winning this game.
7 p.m., Venezuela vs. Argentina, beIN Sports: If you like goals, watch this game. Argentina should roll in this World Cup qualifier, even if Lionel Messi likely won't play.
8:15 p.m., U.S. vs. Trinidad and Tobago, Fox Sports 1: A spot in the World Cup qualifying group is on the line for the U.S. Though the U.S. defeated St. Vincent and the Grenadines (not the name of a band) 6-0 in its last game, the team could win this game 3-0 or lose it 1-0. Atlanta United's Kenwyne Jones will lead the T&T line. The red, white and blue will be without most of its spine with the absences of Clint Dempsey, Jermaine Jones and John Brooks.
8:45 p.m., Brazil vs. Colombia, beIN Sports: Brazil got some of its mojo back by winning the gold medal in the Olympics, but could quickly lose it against a Colombia squad that features James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado. Should be an excellent game.
10 p.m., Mexico vs. Honduras, Fox Sports 1: Another World Cup qualifier that should be a fascinating game. Mexico plays an attractive brand of soccer, while Honduras prefers a more physical, counter-attacking style. Mexico has already qualified for the World cup hexagonal.
Wednesday
2 p.m., Montreal vs. Charleston, youtube: A chance to watch Atlanta United's Alex Tambakis, Andrew Carleton and Jeffrey Otoo.
9:30 p.m., Real Salt Lake vs. Los Angeles, MLS Live: The Galaxy and RSL are tied with 43 points each in the MLS Western Conference. Neither will likely catch Dallas for the top spot, and it seems unlikely that either will not make the playoffs.
Friday
2:30 p.m., Schalke vs. Bayern Munich, Fox Sports 1: Bayen hasn't skipped a beat under new manager Carlos Ancelotti, who took over for Pep Guardiola. They won their first game 6-0 and should roll in this one.
Saturday
7 a.m., Celtic vs. Rangers, Fox Sports 1: If you want to experience a rivalry, this is the game to go to. They hate, hate, hate each other.
7:30 a.m., Manchester United vs. Manchester City, NBCSN: The game of the week in world soccer. The two rivals are unbeaten in the Premier League this season, spent about $20 trillion dollars in the transfer window to improve themselves, and are led by two of the best managers in the world in Jose Mourinho and Guardiola.
12:30 p.m., Liverpool vs. Leicester City, NBCSN: Another loss for either one and they can already kiss goodbye their slim hopes of competing for the Premier League. Liverpool's desire to press may play right into the Leicester's preferred counter-attacking style.
8 p.m., New England vs. NYCFC, MLS Live: Behind Frank Lampard (never thought I'd write that), NYCFC are atop the Eastern Conference with 44 points, one more than New York Red Bulls. New England trails D.C. United by two points in the race to make the playoffs.
8 p.m., Monterrey vs. Tijuana, Univision Deportes: A chance to See Atlanta United's Hector Villalba.
9 p.m., Dallas vs. Colorado, MLS Live: Walker Zimmerman and FC Dallas will take on Colorado in a game between two of the better teams in the Western Conference.
Sunday
1 p.m., New York Red Bulls vs. D.C. United, ESPN: The Red Bulls will continue their chase of NYCFC, while D.C. United will try to hold on to its sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
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