Seattle Sounders vs LAFC, New York City vs Colorado Rapids headline top live games to watch on June 17-23, 2022

Top games to watch this week

Saturday, June 18

Santos vs RB Bragantino (Brasileirao)

Atlas vs Guadalajara (Friendly)

Monterrey vs Santos Laguna (Friendly)

Seattle Sounders vs Los Angeles FC (MLS)

LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers (MLS)

Philadelphia Union vs Cincinnati (MLS)

Sunday, June 19

Atlético Mineiro vs Flamengo (Brasileirão)

Corinthians vs Goiás Brasileirão

Unión Santa Fe vs River Plate (Argentine Primera Division)

América vs Pumas UNAM (Friendly)

Barracas Central vs Boca Juniors (Argentine Primera Division)

Atlanta United vs Inter Miami (MLS)

New York City vs Colorado Rapids (MLS)

Monday, June 20

Godoy Cruz vs Defensa y Justicia (Argentine Primera Division)

Vélez Sarsfield vs Rosario Central (Argentine Primera Division)

Independiente vs Estudiantes (Argentine Primera Division)

Newell's Old Boys vs Argentinos Juniors (Argentine Primera Division)

Sao Paulo vs Palmeiras (Brasileirão)

Tuesday, June 21

La Fiorita vs Inter Clu d'Escaldes (UEFA Champions League)

Levadia vs Vikingur Reykjavik (UEFA Champions League)

Aldosivi vs Platense (Argentine Primera Division)

Central Córdoba vs San Lorenzo (Argentine Primera Division)

Most-watched games in the United States: June 6-12, 2022

Club football around the globe may be limited to lower-tier leagues and to friendly matches, leaving national teams with the "responsibility" to keep fans busy during this summer break in all top-caliber leagues.

Even so, fans in the United States decided to focus on their local league to satisfy their football cravings, as two MLS matches were the most-watched football games in the country during the past week, "beating" some of the most relevant national teams out there. Teams like Portugal, Spain, and 2018 FIFA World Cup champions France were no match for MLS clubs who had their matches aired nationally.

Speaking of national team games, the USMNT and Mexico put up some interesting audience numbers for their CONCACAF Nations League matches, with the latter earning a spot among the most watched games in the country with nearly half a million average viewers watching their three-nil win against Suriname.

Let's have a closer look at those games that kept fans glued to their seats in the past week. 

What are this week's must-watch games?

Seattle Sounders vs Los Angeles FC live this Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC USA, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3 USA, fuboTV, Sling TV, ESPN App, and SiriusXM FC

Fans of the MLS, rejoice! The Unites States' top-flight headlines this week's list, with Seattle Sounders' highly-anticipated showdown against LAFC being the standout showdown. The Sounders aren't as high up the table as they would have liked, with the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners sitting in seventh. While this would secure them a playoff spot, Brian Schmetzer's side, who have won four out of their last five games, will look to climb up the table by beating the visitors. However, this is easier said than done as LAFC currently top the Western Conference. With 29 goals scored in 14 matches, the most by any MLS side this term, it will be difficult to overcome Vela and Co. this weekend!

LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers live this Saturday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, fuboTV, Sling TV, and SiriusXM FC

Portland Timbers' trip to LA Galaxy continues our focus on the MLS, with the Western Conference's 12th-placed team set to host the fifth-placed club in an interesting Dignity Health Sports Park showdown. The Timbers haven't been in the best of forms, hence their position, having recently lost 2-1 to Inter Miami in their last outing. The Los Angeles giants, on the other hand, have been far better, thrashing Austin FC 4-1 in their most recent fixture. Nonetheless, Chicharito and Co. are six points behind bitter rivals LAFC and could be overtaken by sixth-placed Nashville SC if they slip up. Do not miss this clash!

New York City vs Colorado Rapids live this Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+, ESPN App, Altitude Sports, SiriusXM FC, YES Network, Sling TV and fuboTV

Completing our MLS-dominated list is New York City vs Colorado Rapids. This tie will see the Eastern Conference leaders host Robin Fraser's side who are chasing a playoff ticket in the West. NYCFC boast eight wins out of their first 13 games, but it should be noted that second-placed Philadelphia Union are only a point behind while CF Montreal are only three behind in third. The Rapids, on the other hand, are only a point adrift of Seattle Sounders, who currently occupy the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Who'll win this crucial Sunday clash? Tune in to find out.

Women's football fans around the globe have enjoyed some of the most interesting weeks of the year, and things are only going to get better with the number of matches taking place in competitive tournaments and friendly matches.

The activity in women's football for this week will feature, as it has been common lately, games for the NWSL, the Brasileirao Feminino, and friendly matches for national teams. To top it all, a FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Bulgaria and Israel will be a must-watch for fans all over the globe.

As mentioned in previous articles, the NWSL is getting more interesting with each passing week, and these week's games will surely be worth watching for those who are capable to follow it via our broadcasting details.

Without further ado, let's have a look at what the beautiful game will offer in terms of women's football matches.

2022 NWSL season

The tournament returns to action with the San Diego Wave and the Chicago Red Stars going at it toe-to-toe for the top spot. The Chicago-based side are now level on points with the team led by Alex Morgan, but with the Red Stars having a game in hand. This will make things even more interesting for this week, as the league leaders are set to face away matches this week, which could have a major effect on how the standings look like after the weekend.

Elsewhere, teams such as the Portland Thorns and Angel City FC will be ready to take advantage of any slip-ups by the leaders. The Thorns will welcome the Orland Pride on Sunday, while the LA-based club will play away from home against the OL Reign, who held the San Diego Wave to a draw last week.

Summer transfer window moves courtesy of ATA Football

Last week, Manchester City revealed some interesting transfers to try and compete with their rivals in the FA WSL. This week, some of the top Spanish Liga Iberdrola clubs have started to hire new players with the intention to become contenders against the highly-dominant Barcelona.

Here are some of the top transfers in the world brought to you by ATA Football.

• Amy König (DEF): BFC Dynamo —> Potsdam 

• Carlotta Wamser (FOR): SGS Essen —> Eintracht Frankfurt 

• Anja Pfluger (MID): Cologne —> SGS Essen 

• Saskia Matheis (MID): Eintracht Frankfurt —> Werder Bremen 

• Irene Guerrero (MID): Levante —> Atlético Madrid 

• Andreia Jacinto (MID): Sporting —> Real Sociedad

For more details on games, standings, and news, visit our dedicated women's soccer page at LiveSoccerTV.com.

Biggest stories of the week

Spain's football federation announces ground-breaking change ahead of UEFA Women's EURO tournament

The latest iteration of the UEFA Women's EURO competition will get underway soon, and there is some great news for fans of women's football.

Spain's football federation, known as RFEF, has recently announced that the women's players will receive the same bonuses as their male counterparts. This new five year deal will go in effect just in time for the upcoming UEFA Women's EURO championship, which begins next month on July 6th in England.

In addition to the aforementioned tournament, this new arrangement will cover the 2023 and 2027 FIFA Women's World Cups as well as the 2024 Olympics - assuming that Spain, of course, qualify.

Although the exact amounts of payments were not revealed it is still noteworthy, as Spain will join a handful of other countries, including the USA, England, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, and Brazil, who have all declared that they will pay the players on the women's and men's senior teams the same amount for taking part in competitions for the national team.

"Macron called Mbappe!" Florentino Perez finally breaks his silence on the French star and Haaland's failed transfers

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has finally broken his silence on what accounted for the breaking down of moves for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe and ex-Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland this summer. The 75-year-old Los Blancos chief said that the Mbappe, that decided to extend with PSG isn't the player he wants with Los Blancos while attributing his side's failure to sign Haaland to the presence of Karim Benzema in the side.

Mbappe, in particular, was the primary transfer target for Los Blancos. Having allowed his contract with Paris Saint-Germain to run down, it was appeared clear that the 23-year-old striker would fulfil his dream of playing for the Spanish giants next season. But to the dismay of fans of the club, the Frenchman made a U-turn and committed his future to Les Parisiens. 

On Wednesday night, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez made an appearance on Spanish program El Chiringuito and promised at the beginning of the show to answer every question thrown at him. He delivered a blunt account of what ensued, beginning with Kylian Mbappe's decision to stay in Paris.

"He didn't betray me," Florentino said.

"He revealed his dream to play at Real Madrid. And it's true. Last August PSG didn't want to sell. We waited a year and he kept saying the same thing. Fifteen days before the situation changed because of the political pressure and the economic factor."

"He did what he thought was easiest. He changed. There's no need to go over it again. As a result of the pressure he had to change his dreams… he's very young, the pressure affects us all but the young people more. It didn't make sense that the President of the Republic [Emmanuel Macron] was calling him… the mayor of Paris, that you don't leave.... That in France.

"And then in Qatar they offer you some things that drive you a little crazy, they offer you a disproportionate influence in the sporting aspect for a player..."

"The Mbappe I wanted was the one that dreamed of Real Madrid," he added.

"Signing him in three years? I don't know… in the space of 3 years, we could all be bald [anything can happen]."

This Mbappe, is not Mbappe. A player that refuses to do an act of sponsorship with his national team, I don't want. I thought that he had a dream, but sometimes they [dreams] can't be realized because of external causes."

On the subject of Erling Haaland, he stated that the move for Mbappe did not affect their plans to bring the Norweigian. However, it was Karim Benzema's red-hot form that influenced the club's decision to stay away. 

Ligue 1 champions PSG reportedly sack head coach Pochettino

According to ESPN, the decision to sack Mauricio Pochettino has finally been taken. French football expert Julien Laurens reports that the Qatari-owned side have officially fired the former Tottenham boss.

An official announcement has not yet been made but this decision was taken on Wednesday morning, with the French champions opting to relieve Pochettino of his duties with only one year left on his contract after a disappointing season.

This comes after Leonardo, the former sporting director in Paris, was also sacked, with Luis Campos being appointed as his replacement. The first major task for the highly-rated Portuguese executive will be to find a new head coach for the Parc des Princes.

A number of names have been linked with Les Parisiens. Zinedine Zidane is said to be target no.1 for the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who owns the club. However, despite recent claims that the 1998 World Cup winner agreed to take over, Zizou isn't seen as a realistic option as he is holding out for the France national team job.

The man currently leading the race to replace Pochettino is Christophe Galtier. The Nice boss, the man who led Lille to the 2020/21 Ligue 1 title, is Campos' preferred candidate and has held positive talks with the league champions.

Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui, Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim, and River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo have also been shortlisted for the role.

Apple and the MLS reveal ground-breaking deal to stream games across the world

Watching an MLS match from now on will give fans a new experience, as Apple and Major League Soccer announced that the Apple TV app will stream all live MLS games starting in the 2023 season all the way to the 2032 edition of the competition.

The deal will enable users to watch all MLS, Leagues Cup, MLS Next Pro, and MLS Next matches in a single place without having to worry about local broadcast blackouts or having to purchase a pay-TV bundle.

Fans will be able to get every live MLS match by subscribing to a new MLS streaming service, available exclusively through the Apple TV app. Additional to all match content, this platform will give fans a weekly highlights show, game replays, analysis, and other original shows.

"Apple is the perfect partner to further accelerate the growth of MLS and deepen the connection between our clubs and their fans. Given Apple's ability to create a best-in-class user experience and to reach fans everywhere, it'll be incredibly easy to enjoy MLS matches anywhere, whether you're a super fan or casual viewer," MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated.

The tech company also shared their views on this deal and what it will mean to their business plans and to help the league grow its audiences across the world.

"For the first time in the history of sports, fans will be able to access everything from a major professional sports league in one place. It's a dream come true for MLS fans, soccer fans, and anyone who loves sports. No fragmentation, no frustration — just the flexibility to sign up for one convenient service that gives you everything MLS, anywhere and anytime you want to watch. We can't wait to make it easy for even more people to fall in love with MLS and root for their favorite club," stated Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services.

All MLS and Leagues Cup matches will feature English and Spanish commentary, while games involving Canadian clubs will also have broadcasts in French language. Added to that, the MLS and Apple will develop an enhanced coverage for both clubs and the league itself via Apple News, giving users a chance to watch highlights in the news app.

Other key headlines from the world of football

Tottenham star Son Heung-Min becomes brand ambassador for luxury company

Son Heung-Min has signed an impressive contract with a well-known luxury brand. The 29-year-old, who became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot after scoring 23 goals for Spurs during the 2021/22 campaign, will now follow in the footsteps of quite a few football players to ink a brand ambassadorship position with a luxury company.

Considering his strong social media following - with nearly 13 million followers across various platforms - as well as his influence in not just Korea, but the Asian-Pacific (APAC) region at large, it makes perfect sense why Burberry, who are looking to establish a footing in the football world, have decided to sign a partnership with him.

Fellow Premier League star Jack Grealish made waves when he signed a reported seven-figure deal with Gucci this past spring, which followed on the heels of PSG ace Kylian Mbappe linking up with Dior to promote fragrances and other items in December. Burberry, a well-known British luxury brand, unveiled the South Korean star in a joint announcement with the player on their Instagram page recently.

Dani Alves bids farewell to Barcelona after just six months

Reports emerged about a chat between Alves and coach Xavi Hernández, who told the player that it would be hard for him to get playing time in the upcoming months, giving him the choice to leave the club or to stay and fight for a starting spot. Alves' reply came shortly, thanking the coach for his candor and carrying on with a heart-breaking post on social media.

The 39-year-old will now become a free agent, with his sights set on playing the 2022 FIFA World Cup this winter. Alves' main goal will now be to get hired by a club that can give him enough minutes to get in shape for the World Cup, something that might be easier said than done at this point of his career.

Frenkie de Jong responds to Manchester United's interest amid rumors of potential Barca exit

Frenkie de Jong has responded to rumors suggesting that he is on his way out of Barcelona this summer. The 25-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United but has put the Red Devils' pursuit in the balance by highlighting his desire to continue at Camp Nou.

Having put in another remarkable performance in the Netherland's 3-2 victory against Wales in the Nations League, De Jong made his sentiments known when asked about his potential move to United. Speaking at the post-match press conference, he said:

"You're always flattered when teams show interest in you as a player, but I am at the biggest club in the world at the moment.

"I feel fine there [at Barça], so… no news."