After one story-book Champions League night featuring Lionel Messi’s four goals, another one is shaping up today with the rumored return from injury of Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.
Although highly unlikely, Sir Alex Ferguson admits the England star forward could yet convince him of a substitute role against Bayern Munich (2:30 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Español). Arjen Robben has recovered for Bayern and will be in the squad.
Laurent Blanc’s Bordeaux have their work cut out for them when they host fellow French rivals Lyon in the other UCL quarterfinal second leg.
With an all-time record eight MLS matches on Saturday, the weekend wait in the U.S. is filled with player transaction news.
A player announcement on Wednesday in Toronto is expected to see the Preki overhaul continue with a move in store for fan favorite Jim Brennan.
There is also another Wednesday media event involving Claudio Reyna and his new role.
Chivas USA officially announced their acquisition of Costa Rican international defender Darío Delgado. Could this mean a return to left back for Jonathan Bornstein?
Real Salt Lake actually had first dibs on Delgado. But RSL are now focusing on re-signing Kyle Beckerman.
The Chicago Fire are trying out a new Croatian midfielder and are waiting to make the official announcement on the signing of left back Denis Umanzor, who tells media he will be arriving on a two-year contract.
The Houston Dynamo will reportedly be welcoming back former forward Joseph Ngwenya on trial.
FC Dallas are on the hunt for a striker and are reportedly competing with the Philadelphia Union for the services of Luciano Emilio.
GM Adrian Hanauer says the Seattle Sounders were originally planning for their new forward, Blaise Nkufo, to be available before the summer. The Swiss international will only join the team after the World Cup.
It will feel like a new acquisition when Shalrie Joseph finally sees the field for the first time in Saturday’s home opener at Gillette Stadium. Meanwhile, the team is not in a rush to seek out urban spots for a new soccer stadium.
While the Revolution get their captain back, it is still undetermined whether the Red Bulls will have their head coach in time for Saturday. Hans Backe underwent a procedure to remove his gallbladder. But whether or not he travels on the club’s next road trip, Backe has already left his tactical imprint on this team.
The Kansas City Wizards suffered a longer-term loss as Zoltan Hercegfalvi tore his ACL.
U.S. national-team midfielder Stuart Holden is well on his way back from injury for Bolton Wanderers. His U.S. teammates, Maurice Edu and DaMarcus Beasley, will join Rangers for their home match against Aberdeen in Scotland.
Another American will be in action tonight in Mexico as José Francisco Torres and Pachuca host Toluca on Wednesday night to determine the second finalist in the CONCACAF Champions League (8 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel). Pachuca enter the match with a slight edge on away goals thanks to a 1-1 tie in Toluca.
Cruz Azul await the victor after “La Máquina Celeste” earned a resounding 5-0 home win to dispatch fellow Mexican outfit UNAM Pumas. It’s the second consecutive Champions League final appearance for Cruz Azul.
The Kick Off wraps up with a cautionary tale from the EPL of what a player should not do when subbed out at halftime.
