Top games to watch this week
Friday, July 19
San Luis vs. Tijuana (Liga MX)
Puebla vs. Atlas (Liga MX)
Seattle Reign vs. Utah Royals (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
Tigres UANL vs. Pachuca (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
Crystal Palace vs. Charlton Athletic (Friendly)
Ajax vs. Olimpiakos (Friendly)
Austria Wien vs. Porto (Friendly)
Nottingham Forest vs. Sunderland (Friendly)
Saturday, July 20
Club Brugge vs. Unión Saint-Gilloise (Belgian Super Cup)
Santos Laguna vs. Tigres UANL (Liga MX)
Juárez vs. América (Liga MX)
Cruz Azul vs. Toluca (Liga MX)
Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire (MLS)
Sporting KC vs. St. Louis City (MLS)
LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers (MLS)
Flamengo vs. Criciuma (Brasileirão)
Palmeiras vs. Cruzeiro (Brasileirão)
Chicago Red Stars vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
Kansas City Current vs. Houston Dash (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
Racing Louisville FC vs. Monterrey (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
San Diego Wave vs. Bay FC (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
Angel City vs. América (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
QPR vs. Tottenham (Friendly)
Manchester United vs. Rangers (Friendly)
Rapid Wien vs. Milan (Friendly)
Wrexham vs. Bournemouth (Friendly)
DC United vs. Celtic (Friendly)
Sunday, July 21
Pumas UNAM vs. Pachuca (Liga MX)
León vs. Necaxa (Liga MX)
River Plate vs. Lanús (Argentine Primera Division)
Defensa y Justicia vs. Boca Juniors (Argentine Primera Division)
Atlético Mineiro vs. Vasco da Gama (Brasileirão)
RB Bragantino vs. Athletico-PR (Brasileirão)
Washington Spirit vs. Guadalajara (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
Portland Thorns vs. Tijuana (NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup)
Bangkok Glass vs. Borussia Dortmund (Friendly)
Benfica vs. Villarreal (Friendly)
Lazio vs. Triestina (Friendly)
Eldense vs. Sunderland (Friendly)
Monday, July 22
Inter vs. Pergolettese (Friendly)
FK Kosice vs. Roma (Friendly)
Huddersfield Town vs. Aris (Friendly)
Tuesday, July 23
Racing vs. Huachipato (Copa Sudamericana)
Internacional vs. Rosario Central (Copa Sudamericana)
Ferencvaros vs. The New Saints (UEFA Champions League)
Dynamo Kyiv vs. Partizan (UEFA Champions League)
Lugano vs. Fenerbahce (UEFA Champions League)
Nottingham vs. Millwall (Friendly)
Sporting CP vs. Sevilla (Friendly)
Manchester City vs. Celtic (Friendly)
Santos vs Botafogo (Brasileirão)
Wednesday, July 24
Uzbekistán vs. Spain (Olympic Soccer - Men)
Argentina vs. Morocco (Olympic Soccer - Men)
Guinea vs. New Zealand (Olympic Soccer - Men)
Egypt vs. Dominican Republic (Olympic Soccer - Men)
Japan vs. Paraguay (Olympic Soccer - Men)
Iraq vs. Ukraine (Olympic Soccer - Men)
Mali vs. Israel (Olympic Soccer - Men)
France vs. United States (Olympic Soccer - Men)
U. Católica vs. Libertad (Copa Sudamericana)
RB bragantino vs. Barcelona (Copa Sudamericana)
Boca Juniors vs. Independiente del Valle (Copa Sudamericana)
Cerezo Osaka vs. Borussia Dortmund (Friendly)
St. Pauli vs. Lyon (Friendly)
Schalke 04 vs. Twente (Friendly)
MLS All-Star vs. Liga MX All-Star
Chelsea vs. Wrexham (Friendly)
Arsenal vs Bournemouth (Friendly)
Thursday, July 25
Canada vs. New Zealand (Olympic Soccer - Women)
Spain vs. Japan (Olympic Soccer - Women)
Germany vs. Australia (Olympic Soccer - Women)
Nigeria vs. Brazil (Olympic Soccer - Women)
France vs. Colombia (Olympic Soccer - Women)
USA vs. Zambia (Olympic Soccer - Women)
Cuiabá vs. Palestino (Copa Sudamericana)
Athletico-PR vs. Cerro Porteño (Copa Sudamericana)
Always Ready vs. LDU Quito (Copa Sudamericana)
Ajax vs. Vojvbodina (Europa League)
Sporting Braga vs. Maccabi Petah Tikva (Europa League)
Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. Fortuna Sittard (Friendly)
Benfica vs. Brentford (Friendly)
Euro 2024 and Copa America conclude with historic viewership numbers on Fox Sports, Univision
Fox Sports' Summer of Soccer went out with a bang over the weekend, with Sunday's Euro 2024 and Copa America finals raking in fantastic numbers for the U.S. sports broadcaster.
Nielsen's live-plus-same-day data (as per Sportico) has the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England, which La Roja won 2-1, with an average viewership of 6.430 million. This is a 7% increase on the last European Championship final between Italy and England in 2021 on ESPN and ESPN2, which averaged 6.004 million.
However, those figures include pre- and post-match coverage. The game alone averaged 7.17 million on FOX and 3.0 million on Univision, making history as the largest English and Spanish-language European Championship telecasts ever — the Euro 2020 final proper averaged 6.488 million viewers on ESPN/ESPN2.
Fox's TV audience peaked at 8.465 million viewers during the 4:30 to 4:45 p.m. ET quarter-hour. Additionally, TelevisaUnivision's coverage of Spain vs. England enjoyed a 13% increase from the Euro 2020 final's figures. As per SportsMediaWatch, the Bay Area was the top market for the Euro 2024 final.
Later that same day, the 2024 Copa America final, which Argentina won in extra time by beating Colombia 1-0, took place, averaging 6.109 million viewers on Fox. With that, it became the most-watched Copa America finale on English-language TV in U.S. history.
The match proper averaged 6.84 and 6.35 million viewers on Fox Sports and TelevisaUnivision, respectively. Additionally, the game peaked at 7.074 million viewers on FOX.
This marks a tremendous increase over the competition's previous two finals — the 2021 edition (1.94M) between Argentina and Brazil, and the 2016 curtain-closer (2.53M) between Argentina and Chile, both of which were aired on FS1. Unsurprisingly, Miami, where Lionel Messi's current MLS club are based, was the tournament's top market.
*Click here for the full breakdown
What are this week's must-watch games?
Cruz Azul vs. Toluca live this Saturday at 11:05 p.m. ET on TUDN USA, Univision USA, ViX, and fuboTV
Matchday 4 of Apertura 2024 kicks off this Saturday, with San Luis hosting Club Tijuana in the earliest fixture. However, the standout game will see current leaders Cruz Azul locks horns with Toluca later that same day. La Máquina have exceptionally began the campaign, winning their opening three matches in a row, scoring eight goals (more than any other team) and conceding none. The visitors, however, are not far behind, bouncing back from their goalless draw with Chivas in the opening round by winning their last two outings. Can Diablos Rojos end the Apertura leaders' perfect start? Tune in this weekend to find out.
Chelsea vs. Wrexham live this Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, and fuboTV
Premier League giants Chelsea return to action this midweek for the first time since their mixed 2023-24 Premier League campaign in which they finished sixth but only qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League. Their upcoming showdown with Wrexham in California kicks off their USA preseason tour in which they will play five matches in total. This includes exciting showdowns with fellow European powerhouses Manchester City and Real Madrid as newly-appointed head coach Enzo Maresca aims to kick things off with some impressive wins.
Boca Juniors vs. Independiente Del Valle live this Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on beIN Sports, Fanatiz USA, and fuboTV
The Copa Sudamerican round of 32 resumes this midweek, with Boca Juniors hosting Independiente Del Valle in the second leg of their exciting match-up. The reverse fixture ended in a goalless draw, meaning this match remains up in the air. The Argentine giants boast the home advantage. However, their Ecuadorian rivals are unbeaten in their last five matches and should put Diego Martinez's side to the test.
USWNT vs. Zambia live this Thursday at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, Universo, and Peacock
The 2024 Olympics is upon us! USWNT get their women's soccer campaign underway this Thursday, with Emma Hayes overseeing her first major tournament in charge of the four-time FIFA Women's World Cup winners. The goal for Sophia Smith and Co. will be to get their hands on the gold medal. However, USWNT have not achieved this since London 2012. Don't miss their opening game against Zambia.
What to stream live on Fanatiz from July 19 to July 25, 2024
Keeping up with the best live games on streaming platforms is never easy, but fans in the U.S. have to be thankful for the coverage offered by Fanatiz USA, who will have quite a bit of fixtures to show from now until the end of the week.
The subscription service will offer over 80 matches to keep an eye on, with special attention set on the Brazilian Serie A, Argentina's Primera División, and top-tier matches for the Uruguayan Primera División and the Peruvian league.
Additionally, the platform will feature games for the Copa Sudamericana, which will decide the winners of the playoff stage. Teams such as Boca Juniors, Independiente del Valle, Athletico-PR, and Internacional will be some of the teams to keep an eye on in this stage, as the first crucial moment will come for them in the continental competition.
Have a look at everything Fanatiz USA will have for everyone who has subscribed to the platform here
Telemundo presents coverage plans for 2024-25 Premier League season
The 2024-25 season will mark one more year where Telemundo will cover the English Premier League, and the network has revealed its plans for the first weekend of the upcoming campaign.
With comprehensive coverage shared by Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock, the network will aim to increase its audience numbers. Luckily for them, the league continues to gain interest among U.S. fans, and the company's success on this matter seems like a certainty.
The first game of the season will come on August 16, when Manchester United host Fulham at 3:00 p.m. ET on Universo. There will also be a 30-minute pre-game show for all matches including the opener between the Red Devils and the Cottagers.
The biggest games of the first week will feature Liverpool and Manchester City. The Reds will travel to visit Ipswich Town, who return to the English top-flight after over 20 years, and they will do so on August 17 under coach Arne Slot.
As for the defending champions Manchester City will also play their first game away from home against Chelsea. The Blues will host the Cityzens on Sunday, August 18, in what promises to be an electric match.
The network will feature Premier League games across Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock led by host Carlota Vizmanos, who will host the channel's pre- and post-match shows.
Have a look at the full Premier League schedule for the opening weekend.
Biggest headlines
Three records set in the Euro 2024 final with Spain's win over England
One more edition of the UEFA Euro has come to an end, and it will be one that will go down in history for quite a few records set, some of them in the final match.
First and foremost, we need to talk about Spain. The team led by Luis de la Fuente has become the most successful team in the competition's history, surpassing Germany as the only team to have won three titles. Now, La Roja dominate following their fourth conquest.
On that note, the Spanish side has also become the only team to win seven games in a single tournament. They are not the only ones to do it unbeaten, but no other team had done it with that many games won. Read more…
Messi reduced to tears as he limps off Copa América final
It was a tough game for Argentina at both ends of the pitch in the Copa America final, and things got even more complicated when they had to see their brightest star leaving the pitch due to injury.
Lionel Messi walked off the pitch in tears after picking up an injury to his right ankle. The Argentine superstar became injured during the first half of the game when he twisted his ankle while trying to recover the ball before it left the pitch.
Despite his efforts to overcome it during the halftime break, Messi did not recover from his injury and ended up falling on his face after tripping himself to the ground. Immediately after landing, Messi asked to be subbed off. Read more…
Enzo Fernandez issues apology as Chelsea and FIFA open investigation into racist chant during Copa America celebrations
Enzo Fernandez has issued a public apology after coming under widespread condemnation for singing a chant that contained racist and discriminatory slurs during Argentina's Copa America celebrations.
The Chelsea midfielder went live on Instagram following his nation's 1-0 win over Colombia in the final and was caught singing the controversial chant which makes bigoted remarks about the French national team.
The song, which references how several Les Bleus members are of African heritage, contains the lyrics: "They play for France, but their parents are from Angola. Their mother is from Cameroon, while their father is from Nigeria. But their passport says French."
Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, a French international whose father is Ivorian, took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the former Benfica ace, writing: "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism." Read more…
Kylian Mbappe recreates Cristiano's iconic "Hala Madrid" chant during spectacular Real Madrid unveiling
Kylian Mbappe was finally unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday, with the French sensation being presented at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu.
The Frenchman traveled to the Spanish capital for his official unveiling after his national team were eliminated from Euro 2024, losing to eventual champions Spain in the semifinal round.
Not even the player's disappointing Euro 2024 campaign could dampen the excitement around his Real Madrid arrival, with the Spanish giants selling out tickets to his Bernabeu presentation — though there were some empty seats.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner even got to emulate his icon Cristiano Ronaldo, mimicking the Portuguese legend's iconic "uno, dos, tres, Hala Madrid!" line from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's 2009 unveiling. Read more…
Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament revealed with a few surprise omissions
The Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament has officially been announced, with this dream XI including some expected names but also a host of eye-catching omissions.
To no one's surprise, Spain wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams — the earlier assisted the latter for La Roja's opening goal in the final — took their rightful place in the front three after lighting the tournament up.
Mike Maignan was given the nod in goal, surprisingly beating Georgia's Giorgi Mamardashvili despite the Valencia goalkeeper being a fan favorite for the Player of the Tournament prize earlier on in the competition. France conceded only three goals in this tournament, with two coming from open play — both were against Spain in the semifinals.
Marc Cucurella, William Saliba, and Manuel Akanji took three of the four defensive slots. As for the right-back role, there was a surprise inclusion, with England's Kyle Walker getting the nod over Spain's Dani Carvajal and France's Jules Kounde. Read more…
The five candidates to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager revealed following Euro 2024 final defeat
With Gareth Southgate's days as England manager over, the favorites to replace the 53-year-old have been revealed.
Southgate led the Three Lions to another European Championship final, taking on Spain in Euro 2024's ultimate fixture. However, Kane and Co. came up short once again, this time losing 2-1 in normal time to La Roja.
While the FA wished to keep ahold of Southgate and was even ready to offer a two-year extension to his current deal, which expires this December, Gareth ended up walking away.
A succession plan has thus been prepared, with five candidates shortlisted as potential replacements for the Southgate, three of which have admirers within the FA.
They are Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino, three well-known tacticians. The latter two are currently unemployed after being sacked by Chelsea while Howe is currently in charge at Newcastle. Read more…
CBS Sports and EFL announce multi-annual broadcast deal
The English Football League and CBS Sports have announced a massive multi-year broadcast rights agreement that will offer the widest distribution of EFL matches within the United States.
CBS Sports will cover at least 250 EFL matches in all EFL seasons until 2028. The deal will include the Championship, League One, League Two, Carabao Cup, and Bristol Street Motors Trophy. Matches will be covered mostly by Paramount+, with select matches airing on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network.
The EFL is home to some of the most popular competitions in the world, adding up to 1,891 games each season across all its categories. This represents a major business opportunity for the TV company and its streaming platforms. Read more…
Lozano out as Mexico national team coach after quick Copa exit
Jaime Lozano was dropped as manager of Mexico's national football team after rejecting a plan that included a demotion for the upcoming World Cup cycle, the Mexican Football Federation said Tuesday.
The federation announced Lozano's departure in a statement, adding, "The Mexican Soccer Federation thanks and recognizes the commitment and dedication of Jaime Lozano. Today his time as Technical Director of the Senior National Team ends."
The federation said it offered a new contract to Lozano through 2030 that included him working under a "more experienced" coach from 2024 to 2026 for the upcoming World Cup to be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Lozano, under the deal, would have returned at some stage between 2026 and 2030 as the head coach. Read more…
Other key headlines from soccer
Everton takeover talks called off
Everton's potential sale to the Friedkin Group will not go ahead after the Premier League club failed to reach an agreement with the American investors.
Led by US billionaire Dan Friedkin, the group entered a period of exclusivity to negotiate a possible purchase on June 21. However, the Goodison Park outfit said on Friday that no deal had been struck between Friedkin and the club's majority owner Farhad Moshiri. Continue reading…
Euros champion Morata signs for AC Milan
Alvaro Morata signed for AC Milan from Atletico Madrid on Friday, the Spain striker returning to Serie A days after winning Euro 2024.
The 31-year-old has signed a four-year deal with Milan who brought him in to replace departed Olivier Giroud following the former France international's transfer to Los Angeles FC. Continue reading…
