Messi is another boost for the MLS

Messi is another boost for the MLS

Blurb

The soccer action is hotting up fast as the big leagues in Europe begin to roll back into action and TAB soccer customers have numerous chances to hit a big payout this weekend including cash-boosted Soccer 10 pools on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

By Mark Gleeson

There’s no doubting the phenomenal growth of football in the USA, even though it has long been seen as a marginal sport. There are record crowds at Major League Soccer (MLS) matches, including more than 70,000 for the recent Los Angeles derby, and a growing number of new teams.

The arrival of Lionel Messi is another boost for the MLS while the American market is also a magnet for top European clubs looking to grow their fan base.

They all earn handsome appearance fees for pre-season friendlies across the Atlantic and this year is no exception with the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid playing a series of lucrative friendlies.

Spanish arch-rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid play a rare friendly in Texas this weekend at the stadium of gridiron’s fabled Dallas Cowboys, which could be the venue for the next World Cup final in 2026.

Manchester United have an extensive programme of games in America and this weekend are up against Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas as they continue to build for the new season.

At the same time, the MLS clubs are continuing with their month-long Leagues Cup competition, in which they are taking on Mexican opposition. The games are all on USA soil, but the Mexican clubs are expected to be competitive.

The new premier league season in Belgium gets underway this weekend followed by the Championship in England a week later and then the English Premier League the following weekend.

Belgian champions Royal Antwerp will have to fend off several challengers if they are to retain the title - Anderlecht are looking to revive their fortunes, Racing Genk narrowly missed out last season and Union Saint Gilloise are now a major force.

There are a bevy of new coaches on the bench with a heavy turnover of coaches in the off-season, although former Dutch international Marc van Bommel remains at the helm of Antwerp after leading them to their first title in some 60 years.

Brazil’s league season continues this weekend with Botafogo having stretched their already commanding lead at the top. But the campaign is not yet even halfway complete and Serie A is famous for its twists and turns. Consistency is notoriously hard to maintain and, at the end of the day, the depth of squad will be the telling factor. That always favours the better financed sides like Flamengo, Fluminense, Palmeiras and Sao Paulo. One surprise has been the form of Atletico Mineiro, who were champions just two years ago. They have been going through a lean spell but can bounce back at any time.