What I'll Be Watching This Weekend

We're spending time with the boy's respective grandparental units this weekend, both of which are closeby in the southwest Portland metro area, so naturally that means two of the greatest things known to this young parent: a)free, guilt-less child care and b)uninhibited access to copious amounts of live sports on satellite television. Usually we spend part of this weekend on the coast participating in the SOLV Beach Clean-up, but the combination of my spouse having family visit from overseas, with the 11 AM Timbers kickoff, convinced us to stay valley-ward. You can pick up litter any time, but when else can you combine the kickoff of a foreign country's election season with Portland Timbers soccer?!

WALES v. ENGLAND. I blogged a little about international friendlies last night, and the early morning PST timing of this intra-Britain tilt- effectively serving as the undercard to American soccer fans watching Toronto and Portland- could not be better. Gareth Bale is apparently out for the Welsh, which makes them even more sympathetic underdogs in these quarters.

PORTLAND at TORONTO. Some friend will be joining us to catch the 11 AM kickoff. This isn't a must-win, but I can't see how the Timbers can get through the next two weeks without securing four points at minimum. It should be dry and very cold, and if De Rosario doesn't net a goal and David Horst's mustache doesn't draw a red for causing a Toronto fan to throw herself in the midst of the match, I like Portland's chances. The artist known as M.A.O. has a preview here.

Update: while we'll be watching the match where the food and drink is already paid for, 107ist capo Joanne Crouchman has the scoop on TA-friendly places to get together and watch, and the FO has their own approved list here. Hmmmm... which bars are not on both lists? The TA list is where it's at, personally, although I have a special spot in my heart for Maher's.

ARGENTINA at USMNT. The biggest US friendly since Brazil last August comes back to Jersey. From the looks of things, the New Meadowlands is becoming our new national stadium. I think that's a shame, because new stadiums like the Meadowlands are long on creature comforts that stifle the passion that can be seen in places like Estadio Azteca. Give me a derelict RFK over the New Meadowlands any day. That said, my outrage is pretty muted because it's meaningless and I'll be watching on TV. The U.S. midfield will apparently feature Donovan; Bradley; Edu; Jones; and Dempsey, with Mo Edu playing above Jones and Bradley. Exciting stuff. I think B-team matches like the one last fall in South Africa are just as exciting, but it'll be fantastic to see our top Americans take the field against Maradona's eleven.

Full listings for international friendlies here; and as always, for listings in the Portland-area, see the indispensable DemonJuiceTV on twitter.

(Photo: watching a 5 AM World Cup match with the boy last summer.)