Football Weekend Preview: Chelsea vs. Liverpool & USMNT Roster Takes Shape

⚽ The Forward Line

Chelsea and Liverpool Strive for Improvement

Two Premier League powerhouses, Liverpool and Chelsea, are scheduled to meet on Saturday, though neither team is currently showcasing the dominant form typically associated with regional giants. Both sides have been inconsistent, adding a layer of unpredictability to their clash at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea managed only their second victory in five games on Tuesday, a narrow 1-0 win over Benfica in the UEFA Champions League. Despite this, their overall season performances have been far from convincing. Through nine games, they`ve only once exceeded two non-penalty expected goals, suggesting their attacking prowess has yet to match the significant investments made in new players. Enzo Maresca`s squad also contends with a notable disciplinary issue, having received a red card in three of their last four outings. Trevoh Chalobah will miss the Liverpool match due to his 53rd-minute red card in last week`s 3-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.

For Liverpool, the season`s theoretical potential remains high, but their recent 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League underscores the considerable work ahead for manager Arne Slot. His squad`s imbalance was particularly evident in Istanbul, as tactical decisions to play Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back and Jeremie Frimpong as a right-winger (both out of position) proved costly. The team`s attack also appeared hindered by this strategy, with Florian Wirtz still struggling to find his best form since joining the Reds. Pressure is mounting on Slot to make necessary adjustments before the season progresses too far.

The true intrigue of Saturday`s encounter at Stamford Bridge lies in how these two imperfect sides will perform. Both teams have conceded a worrying number of goals in their six Premier League games—Liverpool with seven and Chelsea with eight—which, in theory, creates opportunities for decisive attacking play. However, converting these opportunities will be challenging for teams that frequently struggle with offensive consistency, making this an early and critical test for both. The stakes are considerable: Liverpool holds a slim two-point advantage over Arsenal entering the weekend, while a Chelsea victory could propel them from eighth to fourth, depending on other results.

🔗 Midfield Link Play

🇺🇸 Mauricio Pochettino`s World Cup Roster Takes Shape for USMNT

The U.S. men`s national team`s experimental phase officially concluded on Thursday, as head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced his squad for this month`s friendly matches against Ecuador and Australia. While some prominent players are absent for valid reasons—Tyler Adams due to personal issues and Sergino Dest sidelined by injury—the selected squad largely signals which players are frontrunners for a spot on the World Cup roster, due in eight months. Some of Pochettino`s selections have been more surprising than others.

Here`s a look at the roster:

• Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
• Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), Mark McKenzie (FC Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)
• Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), James Sands (FC St. Pauli), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)
• Forwards: Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille), Haji Wright (Coventry City), Alex Zendejas (Club America)

Pochettino appears to be finalizing his primary attacking options after a year of trials and evaluations, offering clarity on who might join established stars Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah. Folarin Balogun has solidified his role as the USMNT`s No. 9 following his strong performances in September, marking his first appearances for the national team after an injury-affected year. Patrick Agyemang could serve as his backup in October, having missed last month`s friendlies due to injury. Alex Zendejas, much like Balogun, impressed in September and appears to have secured his reward. Notably absent this month is Josh Sargent, whose opportunities with the USMNT have diminished despite his consistent form for Norwich City.

On the defensive side, the competition for the USMNT`s starting goalkeeper spot could intensify this month. Matt Freese has made the most of his chances as the primary keeper during the Concacaf Gold Cup and recent September friendlies. However, Matt Turner, the first-choice keeper from the 2022 World Cup, is back in contention and finally seeing regular club action after rejoining the New England Revolution this summer. All of Pochettino`s selected goalkeepers for October are from MLS, making it highly probable that a domestic league player will start in goal at the World Cup.

🔗 Top Football Stories

• Jurgen Klopp Exclusive: In a 45-minute exclusive interview, Jurgen Klopp revealed he has no plans to return to coaching, explaining how his new position as head of global soccer at Red Bull satisfies his managerial aspirations. Klopp also shared his views on fixture congestion and his decision to boycott the Club World Cup.
• World Cup Ball Revealed: Adidas has unveiled the Trionda, the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The Trionda is distinguished as their most customized and rigorously tested World Cup ball to date.
• Thierry Henry on Fixture Congestion: Thierry Henry advocated for FIFA and UEFA to hold an “educational discussion” with current players—rather than retired professionals—to effectively address the escalating problem of fixture congestion.
• UCL Contenders Analysis: Despite only two matchdays completed in the UEFA Champions League, an analysis evaluates which teams have demonstrated early potential to go all the way. This includes the latest Champions League power rankings following an eventful week.
• Harry Kane`s Influence: Discover how a goal from Harry Kane played a crucial role in Goncalo Ramos` game-winning strike for Paris Saint-Germain against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.
• Arsenal`s Evolution: Martin Odegaard`s aggressive ball-carrying during Arsenal`s 2-0 victory over Olympiacos highlighted the evolution of the Gunners` attack as they pursue major silverware.
• The Hollywood Derby: Friday`s Championship match between Wrexham and Birmingham City features a clash between two prominent, star-studded ownership groups, offering an exciting glimpse into the future of English football.
• UWCL on CBS Sports: The UEFA Women`s Champions League will be broadcast on CBS Sports, with coverage commencing on Tuesday. The broadcasts will feature expert analysis from Jen Beattie, Janelly Farias, Darian Jenkins, Kelley O`Hara, and Ali Riley.

💰 The Back Line: Best Bets

• English Premier League: Bournemouth vs. Fulham, Friday, Oct. 3 (3 p.m. ET)
  • The Pick: Bournemouth to win (-105): After two consecutive draws, a return to their home stadium could provide the necessary spark for Bournemouth to get back to winning ways. Fulham has yet to secure an away victory this season, a trend that is unlikely to change. Bournemouth`s effective pressing strategy is difficult to penetrate, and without Andresa Pereira, Fulham lacks the necessary possession strength to pose a significant threat.

What We`re Watching

What`s on CBS Sports Golazo Network

• Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m. ET): Join the network`s flagship morning show for highlights, interviews, and the most significant soccer storylines. Morning Footy is also available in podcast format.
• Attacking Third (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday): This leading women`s soccer podcast and social brand is now a live studio show. It covers the USWNT, NWSL, and the European domestic season throughout the year. Don`t miss the live YouTube streams on Sundays, immediately following the last NWSL game of the weekend.
• Call it What You Want (Tuesday and Thursday): Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Meola discuss all aspects of the USMNT and the state of soccer in the United States as the country prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup. Catch new episodes live on the Golazo America YouTube channel every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. ET.
• Scoreline (Daily): Scoreline is the newest destination for fans to catch up on all major news and results affecting global football, match highlights from top soccer competitions, and all the unmissable goals from the day`s action, airing seven days a week.
• How to watch: CBS Sports Golazo Network is a free 24/7 channel exclusively dedicated to providing unparalleled coverage of all top soccer competitions worldwide. You can stream for free on the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and Paramount+.