The American weekend preview

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Feb 24, 2023

New England captain Carles Gil, the 2021 MLS MVP, will go up against Charlotte FC's Brandt Bronico (right) when the teams open the 2023 MLS season at Bank of America Stadium. Photo: Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos.

Soccer on TV: Weekend Viewing

SATURDAY

• Hoffenheim vs. Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga, 9:20 a.m. ET, ESPN+)

Despite scoring goals in three straight games off the bench this winter, Gio Reyna has struggled to get playing time for Borussia Dortmund, whose hot streak has pushed it into a three-way tie for the Bundesliga lead with Bayern Munich and Union Berlin, which meet on Sunday.

Reyna has not played in the last two Dortmund matches, but the injury to young star Karim Adeyemi might open up a spot for him. English teenager Jamie Bynoe-Gittens came on for Adeyemi against Hertha Berlin. Dutchman Donyell Malen is the other option to replace Adeyemi.

• Leeds United vs. Southampton (Premier League, 10 am. ET, USA Network)

Leeds United is in big trouble, falling to 19th place in the Premier League, just one point ahead of Southampton in the basement. The game will be the first since Spaniard Javi Gracia was appointed as Jesse Marsch's replacement as manager.

Leeds has not won a game (three losses and one tie) since Weston McKennie joined the team from Juventus. The last Premier League victory with Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson in the lineup was on Nov. 5 when Leeds beat Bournemouth, 4-3.

• Major League Soccer.

MLS kicks off its 28th season with 11 games on Saturday. it was supposed to have 13 games on the opening day with a record league crowd expected at the Rose Bowl for the LAFC-LA Galaxy match, but severe weather conditions on the West Coast forced the postponement of El Trafico and the Portland-Sporting KC match.

A crowd of about 50,000 is expected for Charlotte FC's home opener against New England. At the 5:00 minute mark, Charlotte fans will celebrate the life of Anton Walkes by clapping for 60 seconds. The popular FC Charlotte defender died in a boating accident in January.

Saturday
*Nashville SC vs. NYCFC 4:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
Atlanta United vs. San Jose 7:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
Charlotte FC vs. New England 7:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
FC Cincinnati vs. Houston 7:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
D.C. United vs. Toronto FC 7:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal 7:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
Orlando City vs. NY Red Bulls 7:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
Philadelphia vs. Columbus 7:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
Austin FC vs. St. Louis City 8:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
FC Dallas vs. Minnesota United  8:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
Vancouver vs. Real Salt Lake 10:30 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
Sunday
**Seattle vs. Colorado 8 pm. ET (Apple TV free)
*Also on Fox and Fox Deportes. **Also on FS1 and Fox Deportes.

SUNDAY
 
• Rangers vs. Celtic (Scottish League Cup final, 10 a.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

U.S. assistant coach B.J. Callaghan will be at Hampden Park for the matchup of Old Firm rivals in the Viaplay Cup final. Cameron Carter-Vickers is a fixture at center back for Celtic, but Malik Tillman is injured and uncertain for Rangers and teammate James Sands has started just one match -- an FA Cup match -- since the World Cup break.

• USA vs. Mexico (Concacaf U-17 Championship Final, 5 p.m. ET, FS2, TUDN)

Will the third time be a charm for the USA? It also faced Mexico in the last two regional finals and lost in a shootout (after 1-1 tie) in 2017 and in overtime (2-1) in 2019. The USA's last Concacaf U-17 title came in 2011.

Mexico's squad includes Fidel Barajas, who started the U-17 as one of four San Jose Earthquakes academy starters on the U.S. U-17s along with Oscar Verhoeven, Cruz Medina and Edwyn Mendoza. Barajas has since left the Quakes organization to play for the USL Championship's Charleston Battery.