Soccer on TV: NWSL Challenge Cup kicks off, Real Madrid-Barcelona, USWNT vs. Sweden

Friday, 3 p.m. (beIN Sports Xtra)

This weekend brings a FIFA international window in women’s soccer, and some huge games around the world. Start with a clash of two of Europe’s titans, though France will be shorthanded due to a major COVID-19 outbreak at top club Lyon. Wendie Renard, Amandine Henry, and Delphine Cascarino are among the big names sidelined. But Eugénie Le Sommer is available after testing negative and clearing quarantine. She’ll be joined by PSG’s terrific Marie Antoinette-Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani.

England will be led by Chelsea’s on-fire forward Fran Kirby, Arsenal’s Jordan Nobbs, and Lyon’s Nikita Parris, who also cleared testing protocols.

Friday, 8:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

The NWSL Challenge Cup kicks off with a rematch of last year’s final, which the Dash won. Both teams will be without some of their stars who are away on national team duty this weekend, such as Houston’s Kristie Mewis and Jane Campbell and Chicago’s Julie Ertz, Tierna Davidson, and Alyssa Naeher. So let the spotlight shine on some of the less-heralded names, especially Houston’s Shea Groom and Chicago’s Kealia Watt.

Of note: The NWSL Challenge Cup games televised on CBSSN are not live on Paramount+, but replays will be available there.

» READ MORE: A decade after calling Philadelphia home, Estelle Johnson is on a big stage with NWSL’s Gotham FC

Friday, 10:30 p.m. (Paramount+)

There will be fans in the stands at Providence Park for the first time in 18 months as the Thorns kick off a season in which they’re the team to beat. That’s not just because of the addition of stars Crystal Dunn and Becky Sauerbrunn, it’s because of the team’s depth. You’ll see it this weekend in players like Simone Charley, Emily Menges, and Penn State alum Raquel Rodríguez.

Kansas City is the former Utah Royals, a move and ownership change that happened so fast there isn’t a full brand name in place yet. Officially the team is simply called “Kansas City NWSL” for now. But don’t underrate the talent, led by veteran forward Amy Rodriguez and Pottstown-born goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.

Saturday, 1 p.m. (Fox29)

The U.S. women begin a two-game trip to Europe with a test against a perennial foe. The history of the series will be spotlighted, but what really ought to be in focus is that Sweden is No. 5 in FIFA’s global rankings — above England, Australia, Brazil, and Canada. Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfö, and Lina Hurtig have the talent to keep the Swedes flying high as former Philadelphia Independence star Caroline Seger heads toward the end of her great career.­

» READ MORE: Crystal Dunn’s time arrives to be one of American soccer’s top stars

Saturday, 3 p.m. (beIN Sports, beIN Sports Español)

El Clásico is always big, but this game is monstrous. Lionel Messi and Barcelona would jump into first place with a win; Karim Benzema and Real would tie first-place Atlético Madrid atop the standings.

» READ MORE: Barcelona's Martin Braithwaite helps launch a North Philly residence for aspiring tech creators of color

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (Paramount+)

The Courage no longer have Crystal Dunn or Sam Mewis, but made some intriguing offseason additions in goalkeeper Casey Murphy and outside back Taylor Smith. The rest of the team’s spine remains outstanding, led by dazzling playmaker Debinha. Washington aims to continue a youth movement headlined by Ashley Sanchez and Trinity Rodman, this year’s No. 2 draft pick, while waiting for new signings Kelley O’Hara and Emily Sonnett to return from national team duty.

Saturday, 7 p.m. (Paramount+)

Louisville makes its NWSL debut with a team that a lot of people have doubts about. The team picked Tobin Heath, Christen Press, and Australians Alana Kennedy and Caitlin Foord in the expansion draft knowing they’d likely only ever be trade chips. So what can a team do whose best talents are Yuki Nagasato and Savannah McCaskill? Keep an eye on Emily Fox, a left back who was this year’s No. 1 draft pick and is an heir to the U.S. national team starting job. She’ll get a baptism of fire from Orlando stars Marta and Sydney Leroux.

(By the way, both teams’ jerseys for this year are really sharp.)

» READ MORE: CBS lands Concacaf World Cup qualifying rights for 2022 men’s, 2023 women’s campaigns

Saturday, 8 p.m. (Univision, TUDN)

Cruz Azul tops Liga MX through 13 games, led by creators Roberto Alvarado and Orbelín Pineda. Chivas remains mired in 15th, which has the fan base of Mexico’s most popular team plenty upset.

Saturday, 10 p.m. (Univision, TUDN)

It’s a doubleheader of big-team clashes in Liga MX Saturday night, and you can expect Univision to pull in big viewership. Liga MX has long been the most-watched soccer league on U.S. TV, and the star power of these teams is an example of why: André-Pierre Gignac for Tigres, surprisingly down in 10th place, and Gio dos Santos for second-place América.

Sunday, 2 a.m. (ESPN+)

If you happen to be up real late Saturday night, check out the championship game of Australia’s W-League playoffs. Teresa Polias and Princess Ibini lead Sydney, which won the regular-season title, against third-place Melbourne’s Kyra Cooney-Cross and veteran star Lisa de Vanna.

Sunday, 11:30 a.m. (Peacock)

United can strengthen its hold on second place in the Premier League, while sixth-place Tottenham needs a win in the race to qualify for Europe next season.

Sunday, 2:30 p.m. (6ABC, ESPN Deportes)

A month after the Bundesliga’s ABC debut, it’s Serie A’s turn for the big stage. Fiorentina is having a disappointing season, as the squad led by veterans Franck Ribéry (who’s suspended for this game) and José Callejon is in 14th place. But there’s hope for the future in 21-year-old striker Dusan Vlahovic, who has 13 goals this campaign. Atalanta is in third, a point behind Juventus. Luis Murriel has 22 goals and 9 assists this season; Duvan Zapata has 15 goals and 12 assists.