U.S. men and women open new seasons 24 hours apart

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jan 26, 2014

[THIS WEEK IN SOCCER: Jan. 27-Feb. 2] Both the U.S. men's and women's national teams open their 2014 seasons this week. The week, which begins with a mouth-watering Merseyside derby, also includes a party in downtown San Jose to mark the Earthquakes' 40th anniversary and the opening of a soccer art exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

TUESDAY, January 28
It's Luis Suarez against Tim Howard in the Merseyside derby as Liverpool hosts Everton in a mouth-watering midweek match at Anfield (live on NBCSN, 3 p.m. ET). No Merseyside team has finished in the top four of the English Premier League since Liverpool finished second in 2009-10, but the Reds (tied for fourth place) and Everton (one point behind in sixth) are both still in the hunt for a top four spot in the EPL.

WEDNESDAY, January 29
Mexico's 2014 U.S. tour begins with a game against South Korea at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, the first since Miguel Herrera was put in charge of El Tri on a full-time basis. Only 12 of 21 players Herrera called in were with El Tri for its playoff series against New Zealand in November. Two of the new players are California-born: Miguel Ponce and Isaac Brizuela.

THURSDAY, January 30
The San Jose Earthquakes, who are celebrating their 40th anniversary, will unveil a new logo and new uniforms in an outdoor presentation at San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. The free event is open to the public.

FRIDAY, January 31
-- A close-to-full-strength team will take the field as the U.S. women's national team opens the 2014 season against Canada at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas (live on FOX Sports 1, 9 p.m. ET). With the exceptions of Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath, both recovering from injuries, the USA will have its full complement of regulars.

SATURDAY, February 1
-- The U.S. men's national team ends its winter camp with a game against South Korea (live on ESPN2, WatchESPN and UniMas at 5 p.m. ET). Following the team's camp in Sao Paulo, Jurgen Klinsmann picked 22 players for the game. A sellout is expected at StubHub Center for the game that should attract a large contingent of Korean fans.

-- Sporting Kansas City-Portland is the first MLS preseason game involving two league teams. The match takes place at North Stadium at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, MLS's Arizona preseason hub.

MLS Preseason: Schedule



SUNDAY, February 2
The Futbol: The Beautiful Game art exhibit opens at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art with the works of 30 artists, including the late Andy Warhol's 1978 Pele silkscreen. The artists work in video, photography, painting and sculpture. (Click here for a list of artists.)