The Women's World Cup has now reached the knockout stage and the four quarterfinal matches in China are set for this weekend. On Saturday the USA will take on England, with defending champions Germany battling North Korea. Sunday's action includes the host nation battling Norway and Brazil facing Australia.
The U.S. is aiming for a place in the final four though they haven't yet played the brand of skillful soccer that American fans have become accustomed to. Abby Wambach leads the powerful U.S. attack with three goals in group play. The English have a proven goal scorer of their own in Kelly Smith, who hit the net four times in her team's opening three games.
In a pressure situation, it could be the Red, White & Blue with the advantage; Saturday's match will be England's first in a Women's World Cup knockout round. If Wambach and the U.S. dial up a victory, they will face the winner of Sunday's Brazil vs. Australia match in the semifinal round.
On the club level, perhaps the most anticipated match of the 2007-2008 season thus far is set for Sunday when Manchester United and Chelsea square off in quite an intriguing contest in the English Premier League. Following the surprise resignation of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, Israeli Avram Grant has taken over as caretaker manager. Rumors are swirling that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is targeting veteran coach Guus Hiddink or former French international Didier Deschamps as permanent successor, but Grant will be the man in charge for the time being.
Going into the weekend, Chelsea and United are even with Liverpool on 11 points. Arsenal is in the top spot with 13, while United's crosstown rivals, Manchester City, have 12. Arsenal will play host to Derby County on Saturday, while City will visit Craven Cottage to face Fulham FC. Former New England Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey is looking for his fourth goal in as many games, and he'd be the first U.S. player to ever net in four consecutive EPL games if he can once again find the twine. Liverpool, meanwhile, will play host to Birmingham City on Saturday.
Big games are also on the schedule for this weekend in Spain and Italy. FC Barcelona are looking to keep their strong form from the UEFA Champions League going as they take on Sevilla, who were thumped by Arsenal on Matchday 1. Already four points behind reigning champion Real Madrid, Barca is in desperate need of a big three points at home Saturday against second-place Sevilla. Madrid should win the following day against Vallodolid, but Real can take no games for granted with three teams (Sevilla, Valencia and Villareal) all just three points back.
Serie A leaders Roma face a stern challenge Sunday from Juventus, though the Turin club will be without winger Mauro Camoranesi, who has been ruled out due to injury. Roma sports a perfect 3-0 record so far in the Italian league season and is coming off a 2-0 Champions League win this week against Dynamo Kiev.
Inter Milan, just two points behind Roma, face bottom-dwellers Livorno on Sunday, while third-place Napoli will take on another club not off to a good start in Empoli. AC Milan, currently in fifth place, play host to Parma on Saturday.
Young Americans abroad hit European milestones this week when DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers) and Michael Bradley (Heerenveen) helped their respective sides to important victories. Beasley became the first U.S. player to play for two different clubs in the Champions League, coming on as a sub in the Scottish club's 2-1 against Stuttgart. Bradley's team was in UEFA Cup action and recorded a 5-3 win against Sweden's Helsingborg thanks in no small part to U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley's son, who scored two goals.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
