FRIDAY, JUNE 8
Greece at Poland
ESPN, 8:30 a.m./ESPN Deportes, 8:40 a.m.
The world's second greatest soccer event kicks off with the co-hosts taking on the 2004 winners. Neither is among the Euro 2012 favorites, but home-field advantage could boost the Poles, and Greece wasn't expected to do anything eight years ago either. Replay: ESPN2, 12:30 a.m.; ESPN Deportes, 1 a.m.
Also
Russia vs. Czech Republic, ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 11:30 a.m.; ESPN2, 10:30 p.m.
2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
Antigua & Barbuda at United States
ESPN and Galavision, 4 p.m.
The Yanks' Brazilian campaign begins in Tampa with a gimme -- anything but a lopsided win over the Caribbean upstarts will be seen as failure, even if three points are collected. Antigua has bolstered its experience in the third-division USL Pro, but there's a big gap at work here, and the Americans need to be cold-blooded.
Also
Guyana at Mexico, Univision (KMEX/Channel 34), 4:50 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes at Chivas USA
Home Depot Center Field 4 (Carson), 11 a.m.
Chivas' lone league action during MLS's little break is this Reserve League clash with the Quakes, who have plenty of local players available for the roster. With the weekend clear, what's to keep either side from fielding first-choice players? The game will be played on Field 4 (along Avalon Boulevard just south of HDC's main entrance).
USL PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
Ventura County Fusion at Orange County Blue Star
Concordia University (Irvine), 5 p.m.
The Game of the Year in the PDL's Southwest Division, at least until the meeting in Ventura, is a showdown between unbeaten Blue Star and the second-place Fusion, who sit just one point back (with two games in hand) and last week destroyed defending divisional champ Fresno.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
Germany vs. Portugal
ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 11:30 a.m.
The Germans for so long relied on their organizational strengths and an often dour efficiency, prospering mightily from it. These aren't your old-school Germans: The attacking depth the Nationalmannschaft possesses is scary, and they head into Euro 2012 as a title favorite. Cristiano Ronaldo will need to provide a little magic if the Portuguese wish to survive. Replays: ESPN Deportes, 3 p.m. and 1 a.m.; ESPN2, 2:30 a.m.
Also
Netherlands vs. Denmark, ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 8:45 a.m.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Argentina at Brazil
GolTV, noon
Brazil, as host of the 2014 World Cup, is not involved in qualifying, so they get an array of friendlies while everyone else is playing real games. The Samba kings, looking to bounce back from last week's loss to Mexico, take on their archrival at the New Meadowlands. Replay: 6:30 p.m.
Argentine Primera Division
Boca Juniors at Banfield, GolTV, 10 a.m., 2:30 and 8:30 p.m.
San Diego Boca at FC Santa Clarita
Golden Valley High School (Canyon Country), 5 p.m.
Tyler Coombes, Stephen Martines and Alex Harlley give the Storm a sparkling attack, and they're in position for a playoff berth after winning three of their last four games. Boca could climb back into contention with a victory.
Also
San Diego Flash at FC Hasental, Rancho Santa Susana Community Park (Simi Valley), 5 p.m.
Phoenix Monsoon at Fullerton Rangers, Santa Ana Stadium, 5:30 p.m.
USL Premier Development League
Fresno Fuego at Southern California Seahorses, Biola University (La Mirada), 7 p.m.
WOMEN'S PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
San Diego SeaLions at Beach FC
Home Depot Center Field 5 (Carson), 7 p.m.
The WPSL's Pacific-South title likely is going to one of these sides, both bolstered with pro talent, both unbeaten. Long Beach's Beach FC makes its competitive Home Depot Center debut.
- TELEVISION
Greece at Poland
ESPN, 8:30 a.m./ESPN Deportes, 8:40 a.m.
The world's second greatest soccer event kicks off with the co-hosts taking on the 2004 winners. Neither is among the Euro 2012 favorites, but home-field advantage could boost the Poles, and Greece wasn't expected to do anything eight years ago either. Replay: ESPN2, 12:30 a.m.; ESPN Deportes, 1 a.m.
Also
Russia vs. Czech Republic, ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 11:30 a.m.; ESPN2, 10:30 p.m.
2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
Antigua & Barbuda at United States
ESPN and Galavision, 4 p.m.
The Yanks' Brazilian campaign begins in Tampa with a gimme -- anything but a lopsided win over the Caribbean upstarts will be seen as failure, even if three points are collected. Antigua has bolstered its experience in the third-division USL Pro, but there's a big gap at work here, and the Americans need to be cold-blooded.
Also
Guyana at Mexico, Univision (KMEX/Channel 34), 4:50 p.m.
- ON LOCAL FIELDS
San Jose Earthquakes at Chivas USA
Home Depot Center Field 4 (Carson), 11 a.m.
Chivas' lone league action during MLS's little break is this Reserve League clash with the Quakes, who have plenty of local players available for the roster. With the weekend clear, what's to keep either side from fielding first-choice players? The game will be played on Field 4 (along Avalon Boulevard just south of HDC's main entrance).
USL PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
Ventura County Fusion at Orange County Blue Star
Concordia University (Irvine), 5 p.m.
The Game of the Year in the PDL's Southwest Division, at least until the meeting in Ventura, is a showdown between unbeaten Blue Star and the second-place Fusion, who sit just one point back (with two games in hand) and last week destroyed defending divisional champ Fresno.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
- TELEVISION
Germany vs. Portugal
ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 11:30 a.m.
The Germans for so long relied on their organizational strengths and an often dour efficiency, prospering mightily from it. These aren't your old-school Germans: The attacking depth the Nationalmannschaft possesses is scary, and they head into Euro 2012 as a title favorite. Cristiano Ronaldo will need to provide a little magic if the Portuguese wish to survive. Replays: ESPN Deportes, 3 p.m. and 1 a.m.; ESPN2, 2:30 a.m.
Also
Netherlands vs. Denmark, ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 8:45 a.m.
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Argentina at Brazil
GolTV, noon
Brazil, as host of the 2014 World Cup, is not involved in qualifying, so they get an array of friendlies while everyone else is playing real games. The Samba kings, looking to bounce back from last week's loss to Mexico, take on their archrival at the New Meadowlands. Replay: 6:30 p.m.
Argentine Primera Division
Boca Juniors at Banfield, GolTV, 10 a.m., 2:30 and 8:30 p.m.
- ON LOCAL FIELDS
San Diego Boca at FC Santa Clarita
Golden Valley High School (Canyon Country), 5 p.m.
Tyler Coombes, Stephen Martines and Alex Harlley give the Storm a sparkling attack, and they're in position for a playoff berth after winning three of their last four games. Boca could climb back into contention with a victory.
Also
San Diego Flash at FC Hasental, Rancho Santa Susana Community Park (Simi Valley), 5 p.m.
Phoenix Monsoon at Fullerton Rangers, Santa Ana Stadium, 5:30 p.m.
USL Premier Development League
Fresno Fuego at Southern California Seahorses, Biola University (La Mirada), 7 p.m.
WOMEN'S PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
San Diego SeaLions at Beach FC
Home Depot Center Field 5 (Carson), 7 p.m.
The WPSL's Pacific-South title likely is going to one of these sides, both bolstered with pro talent, both unbeaten. Long Beach's Beach FC makes its competitive Home Depot Center debut.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Scott French
Orange County native Scott French has been writing about soccer for more than 30 years for dozens of publications and Web sites. He was senior editor at Soccer America and was managing editor of MajorLeagueSoccer Magazine from April 2007 until summer 2009. He has covered three World Cups for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and Los Angeles Daily News, two Women's World Cups for Soccer America, the Olympic Games, European Championship, nine MLS Cups and all five professional women's championships.
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