SO FAR
In the world of football, Mexico defeated Panama (1-0) at the Estadio Azteca and hence qualified for the World Cup Russia 2018, Mexico then went on to tie (1-1) with Costa Rica at the Estadio Nacional in San José, Costa Rica, clinging on to the first place of the North America, Central America and Caribbean Football Federation (Concacaf) region.
In the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) region, Argentina tied against Uruguay (0-0) in the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay and then later in the week Venezuela shocked everyone by coming out with one point against Argentina (1-1) at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Argentina is now in fifth place with 24 points, three points away from second place Uruguay and 13 points away from Brazil who are top of the table with a guaranteed spot for Russia.
In Europe, Belgium became the first national team to qualify for the World Cup from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), by clinging to the first place on Group H with 22 points after defeating Cyprus (0-3).
The pre-season NFL football came to an end. You can keep track on all the transactions in here. The New England Patriots remain the team to beat, while the Atlanta Falcons and the Pittsburgh Steelers also top the power rankings.
In the U.S. Open, Rafael Nadal defeated Russian Andrey Rublev to advance to the semifinal, where he will face Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro.
THE HAPPENING
The transfer market in football left several casualties, the major one was FC Barcelona, who failed to sign any major players during the transfer window, in particular what was rumored to be their most important target, Phillipe Coutinho from Liverpool. Liverpool signed Arsenal player Alex Oxlade Chamberlain while Arsenal failed to sign AS Monaco French player Lemar in what was rumored to be Arsenal’s future replacement for Chilean player Alexis Sánchez who apparently had a pre-agreement with Manchester City.
In Mexico, club Atlas signed British player Raven Morrison on loan from Lazio, and Tigres signed French player Timothée Kolodziejczak who had finished his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is said to be leaving football. Grupo Pachuca has reabsorbed the shares of clubs Pachuca and León from Slim’s Grupo América Móvil, which will still hold the broadcast rights for both teams.
The U.S. national soccer team is in muddy waters after coming away with only one point, which left them in fourth place in the Concacaf world cup qualifiers. This spot would send them to the play offs against a team from Asia. The final two games will be crucial for the United States. In order to qualify, the team can’t afford any losses and will rely on the results of other matches, especially Mexico’s.
In the NFL, week 1 has arrived to the joy of NFL fans all over the world. Hurricane Irma is fast approaching Florida and therefor the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins game has been moved to week 11.
In the MLB, the Saint Louis Cardinals signed free-agent-to-be Juan Nicasio from the Philadelphia Phillies, in case the Cardinals move on to the play-offs, meaning Nicasio won’t be eligible to play. The New York Times published an article detailing the use of technology by the Boston Red Sox in order to decode the signs used by Yankee players in what represents a violation of the MLB’S no-technology rule.
LIGA MX
Atlas (Guadalajara) vs Tigres (Nuevo León) – Friday 9:00 p.m. Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara
Both teams have incorporated new players this week, Atlas negotiated the loan of British player Raven Morrison from Lazio while Tigres signed French defender Timothée Kolodziejczak nicknamed “Kolo” who played with Borussia Monchengladbach last season.
FC Barcelona (FCB) vs RCD Espanyol – Saturday 1:45 p.m. Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
FCB have been dominating the headlines due to their failure too sign any major players during this summer’s transfer market, the team’s best hope is still Lionel Messi and what he can pull out of his hat. Espanyol will have to take advantage of the pressure that FCB will be under in order to gain any points
Manchester City vs Liverpool FC – Saturday 6:30 a.m. Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
This promises to be an epic match, if you are willing to have a really early start to your Saturday. Both teams have the same amount of points in the league table. This Premier League season has all the makings of one of the greatest of all time.
NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns – Sunday 12:00 p.m., FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
The Browns acquired receiver Sammie Coates from Pittsburgh during the week in exchange for a six round pick on the 2018 draft. This two teams are part of a longstanding Midwest rivalry that should make for one of the most intense games of week 1.
Seattle Seahawks vs Greenbay Packers – Sunday 3:25 p.m., Lambeau Field, Greenbay, Wisconsin
Lambeau Field has proven tough ground for the Seahawks who haven’t won a game there since 1999. This will also be a brothers rivalry between Michael and Marcellus Bennet.
Houston Texans vs Cincinnati Bengals – Thursday September 14 7:25 p.m., Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
MLB
Baltimore Orioles vs Cleveland Indians – Series starts Friday 6:10 p.m. Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
Both teams have had a strong season so far, this series is shaping up to be one of the best match ups for the weekend.
U.S. OPEN
Rafael Nadal (1) vs Martin del Potro (24) – Friday 4:30 p.m. Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York
Nadal chases title number four against one of the strongest rivals he could face. Del Potro will have to work overtime to defeat the ATP number one player.
