Skip to content
Union
Link copied to clipboard

Games to Watch: Copa del Rey, EPL's final weekend, MLS

Atlético Madrid at Real Madrid

3:25 p.m. Friday (ESPN)

The championship game of Spain's Copa del Rey is a crosstown showdown between Madrid's two big rivals. Real's famed Santiago Bernabéu stadium will be split almost down the middle, with each team getting 30,000 tickets.

On the field, it will be a showdown of two of Spain's top goal scorers: Real's Cristiano Ronaldo and Atlético's Radamel Falcao. But just as importantly, it could be a statement game for Real manager José Mourinho. The so-called Special One is reportedly leaving for English power Chelsea after the season. A win in this game would remind Real's management what they'll miss.

Brest at Paris Saint-Germain

2:55 p.m. Saturday (beIN Sport)

After winning its first Ligue 1 title since 1994, Paris Saint-Germain comes home this weekend to celebrate at the fabled Parc des Princes. It will also be David Beckham's final home game before he retires at the end of the season. PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti has already announced that Beckham will be in the starting lineup.

The club's next task is to convince superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović to stick around. He's reportedly pining for a move back to Italy when the season ends.

Columbus Crew at Toronto FC

5:00 p.m. Saturday (Univision Deportes)

With the Maple Leafs out of the NHL playoffs, Toronto's attention turns to its local soccer team. Alas, the Reds haven't given much reason for optimism, with only one win this season.

Rookie coach Ryan Nelsen has a good young prospect in midfielder Luis Silva, and a veteran leader in forward Robert Earnshaw. But former Union captain Danny Califf hasn't been able to clean up what is perennially one of MLS' worst defenses.

Columbus, meanwhile, needs a win to rekindle early-season playoff hopes. Federico Higuaín, Dominic Oduro and Jairo Arrieta form a dynamic attacking trio, but they've rarely showed their full potential.

Arsenal at Newcastle United

10:30 a.m. Sunday (ESPN2)

Sunderland at Tottenham Hotspur

10:30 a.m. Sunday (Fox Soccer Channel)

Everton at Chelsea

10:30 a.m. Sunday (Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer2Go.com)

On the final weekend of the Premier League season, every game kicks off at the same time. The title race and the fight to avoid relegation are over, but there's one thing left to play for: England's last berth in next season's Champions League.

Right now, Chelsea's third with 72 points, Arsenal's fourth with 70, and Tottenham's third with 69. The third-place team gets an automatic group stage berth, while the fourth-place team will face a playoff round.

If Arsenal loses or ties and Tottenham wins, Spurs will finish above the Gunners for the first time since 1995 – and Clint Dempsey's dream of playing in the Champions League will finally come true.

Chelsea is assured of a top-four finish, which means a Champions League spot in some form. Bt if the Blues lose and Arsenal wins, the Gunners will finish third and the Blues will finish fourth.

Los Angeles Galaxy at New York Red Bulls

1:10 p.m. Sunday (ESPN2)

After routing the Union at PPL Park on Wednesday, the Galaxy head north for the only meeting this year of Major League Soccer's richest teams.

The so-called "One Percent Derby" will be headlined by each team's biggest stars: Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan for Los Angeles, and Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill for New York. Watch out, though, for a pair of less-heralded stalwarts: Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty and Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee.

Since you've made this far, there's another big Mourinho storyline unfolding this morming - Special1 TV is back. Enjoy: