Best Bets June 4/5: What to watch

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

• TELEVISION

2012 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING
Armenia at Russia
ESPN Deportes, 7:55 a.m.
This Group B qualifier pits a perennial (Russia) against a nobody (Armenia) in a clash made pivotal by the nobodies' performances through the first half of group play. A big contributor for the Armenians: Pasadena's Yura Movsisyan.
Also
Switzerland at England, Fox Soccer Channel, 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Fox Deportes, 8:30 a.m. and 11 p.m.
France at Belarus, ESPN Deportes, 11 a.m.
Norway at Portugal, ESPN Deportes, 12:55 and 6 p.m.
Bulgaria at Montenegro, ESPN Deportes, 3 p.m.
Toulon U-20 Tournament
China at France, GolTV, 9:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Mexico vs. Hungary, GolTV, 6:30 p.m.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Netherlands at Brazil
TeleFutura (KFTR/Channel 46), noon
Wesley Sneijder's two-strike second-half heroics lifted the brainier Dutch past the Brazilians in the quarterfinals last year in South Africa. It's always special when these aesthetic standard-bearers get together, even after a long, hard season with nothing at stake.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Spain at United States
ESPN and Univision (KMEX/Channel 34), 1:30 p.m.
They're calling it “Tiqui-taca,” that tempered, short-pass, constant-movement possession game that has taken the Spaniards -- and FC Barcelona, with many of the same stars -- to the apex of the global game. Most of the World Cup champs' icons are on board for this friendly at Foxborough, Mass., but not Xavi, who might be hands down the world's best player if you don't count Lionel Messi. The U.S., prepping for its opener next week in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, remembers well the last meeting, not quite two years ago in the Confederations Cup semifinals: Yanks 2, Espa�a 0.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Philadelphia Union at Colorado Rapids
MLS Direct Kick, 6 p.m.
The Union has been confounding experts all season, rising to the top spot in the Eastern Conference on sound defense, then scoring a half-dozen last week. The Rapids haven't found their MLS Cup-winning form, but Omar Cummings' return from injury and Conor Casey's to form could spark another run like last year.
Also
Sporting Kansas City at Toronto FC, MLS Direct Kick, 4 p.m.
Columbus Crew at New York Red Bulls, MLS Direct Kick, 4:30 p.m.
New England Revolution at FC Dallas, MLS Direct Kick, 5:30 p.m.
Seattle Sounders at Chicago Fire, MLS Direct Kick, 5:30 p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps at Real Salt Lake, MLS Direct Kick, 6 p.m.
Houston Dynamo at San Jose Earthquakes, Galavision, 7 p.m.
Portland Timbers at Chivas USA, Prime Ticket, 7:30 p.m.
Brazilian Brasileir�o Petrobras
Cruzeiro at Fluminense, GolTV, 2:30 p.m.
Colombian Liga Postobon
La Equidad at Millonarios, GolTV, 4:30 p.m. and midnight

• ON LOCAL FIELDS

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Portland Timbers at Chivas USA
Home Depot Center (Carson), 7:30 p.m.
The Timbers are a first-year MLS team, and Chivas USA might as well be, with all the changes in Goatsville the past eight months. Both are looking to establish themselves, with mixed results, among that collection of clubs that really do contend for playoff spots. Portland hasn't won on the road, and Chivas has turned surrendering leads into an art form. Expect fireworks.
TV: Prime Ticket

WOMEN'S PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
L.A. Premier at Orange County Waves
Orange Coast College (Costa Mesa), 6 p.m.
The ambitious Waves take their first steps toward the women's game's top league -- the WPS -- and L.A. Premier's amateurs, always among the best teams in the Pacific Conference, ought to give them a real test in their home debut.
Also
Claremont Stars at Los Al Vikings, Long Beach City College, 11 a.m.
San Diego SeaLions at Ajax America, Nansen Field (Rolling Hills Estates), 3:30 p.m.

NATIONAL PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
San Diego Flash at Santa Ana Winds
Santa Ana Stadium, 7 p.m.
The Santa Anas have been blowing hot through the NPSL, with seven straight victories to snag the top spot in the Southwest Flight. The Flash are three points back, but that's because they used an ineligible player in two games, and so 8-0 is now 6-2.
Also
Real San Jose at FC Hasental, Calabasas High School, 6:30 p.m.
USL Premier Development League
Fresno Fuego at L.A. Legends, Crenshaw High School (Los Angeles), 5 p.m.

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Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/8604/best-bets-june-45-what-to-watch

Patrick Vieira Diego Simão Sabrosa