Here are eight upcoming matches I’m really looking forward to across the globe

My March Madness pool bracket was busted on Thursday night in the late games when my pick to win the NCAA tournament (North Carolina) was eliminated.

Thanks to the way things have played out in the Muskoka Madness pool where top 3 finish in the money, I’m still slightly alive thanks to Duke (who I have going to the final).

But, I really need that last big upset to happen when Illinois takes on UConn. Okay, this is a soccer column, enough about basketball (though I love March baby!).

With the Elite Eight upon us, here are eight tantalizing matches taking place this Easter Weekend and early next week that I’m really looking forward to . . .

Toronto FC vs. Sporting Kansas City,
MLS Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)

Even with all the muscle injuries (can MLS please, please get rid of artificial turf in their league) keeping starting 11 players out for weeks or months, I’m not waffling on the belief the 2024 edition of TFC can have a solid campaign.

Like I mentioned in my pre-season column (It’s Okay to Be Optimistic), small but attainable improvements on both sides of the pitch would lead to a competitive and positive season.

With Tyrese Spicer and Prince Osowu getting on the scoresheet against Atlanta, plus another clean sheet, there is hope that TFC can navigate the storm of injuries in a respectable manner.

Also, Federico Bernadeschi is still doing his thing and is due for a goal (or three) to match his effort. Hopefully, with his countryman and other important players sidelined, the goal(s) come against Sporting KC.

Manchester City vs. Arsenal
English Premier League, Sunday at 11:30 AM ET (FuboTV Canada)

With Liverpool playing earlier at home against Brighton, this at the very least will be a match to keep pace at the top of the table. If Brighton get a result at Anfield, it means the winner of Man City and Arsenal will sit alone at the top of the table.

Of course, a draw in both matches means the status quo of Liverpool and Arsenal tied on points with Man City one point behind.

There is so much to like about having two of the three top of the table teams in a late season match, and these are two of the top teams on the entire planet.

I hope for my buddies Roman and Dave that the Gunners at least get a draw in a very difficult away match – and perhaps the full three points.

Lazio vs. Juventus x 2 (both matches on FuboTV Canada)
Serie A on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Coppa Italia 1st Leg on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

One of the best (maybe worst) things about European football is how teams can play each other multiple times over a short span in different competitions.

It’s happen several times over the years in various nations to several clubs, and it’s happening in the next few days for Lazio and Juventus.

First they play in the league where Juventus is fighting for a Top 4 finish and guaranteed Champions League qualification, while Lazio’s best chance to make a European competition is to win the Coppa Italia. Domestic cup winners in the top leagues get a Europa League spot.

It will be intriguing to see if Lazio, who are in 9th place but still within striking distance of the top 7 (which all earn spots in one of the three UEFA club competitions), focuses their efforts on the league or the cup.

Juventus is a slightly deeper squad, so they could manage to play to win both with some slight tinkering, however the Champions League and the money earned by qualifying for the world’s premier club tournament is most likely the priority.

Saarbrucken vs. 1. FCK
German Cup Semi-final, Tuesday at 2:45 p.m. (DAZN Canada)

Loyal readers of this column, and most fervent football fans, will already be in the know about the mid-table German third division club Saarbrucken that has eliminated a series of Bundesliga sides in the domestic cup (including the vaunted Bayern Munich).

If you want to learn more and get amped up to cheer this tiny club on this week, catch up with FC Saarbrücken keeps Cup Magic Alive and The Cup(s) Runneth Over.

Now they face a much less daunting opponent in 1. FCK, sitting in 14th place in the German second division. Let’s hope Saarbrucken continues a magical cup run and does something truly special in the final.

Inter Miami vs. Monterrey
Leg 1 – CONCACAF Champions Cup, Wednesday at 8 p.m. (FuboTV Canada)

Football/soccer is all about winning trophies in every possible competition, which is why the GOAT Lionel Messi is sometimes rested (much to the chagrin of fans and marketing execs) as one competition takes precedence over the other.

Of course, he’s nursing a slight hamstring injury that will keep him out of the weekend MLS match against NYFC in preparation for the mid-week bout vs. Monterrey.

Last season, Inter Miami won the inaugural Leagues Cup but then failed to make the MLS Cup playoffs – a fair trade off considering they were in dead last when Messi and friends arrived mid-season.

This year, Inter Miami is battling on several fronts – the CONCACAF Champions Cup, MLS, and will defend their Leagues Cup title this summer.

With the Champions Cup first on the list of potential trophies, it’s the one they’ll be putting their best line-ups out for.

As Inter Miami coach Javier Morale told the Associated Press on Friday: “He is working with the physios, but he won’t be available because we are doing all we can to get him ready for next Wednesday. There is a possibility he will play in that game — that is what we are working for.”

So, really, the reason this match is so interesting is what will happen . . . will Messi play? And if he does, what will he do?

Der Klassiker: Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
Bundesliga, Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (DAZN Canada)

Normally this huge match in world football gets a lot more hype ahead of time. But, when the schedule makers decided to sneak in Der Klassiker right after an international break, it didn’t get the build-up it deserves.

Admittedly, I only realized it was happening when research matches for this column. Despite both teams being seemingly out of the title race, there is plenty to play for.

Second-place Bayern Munich is ten points behind Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the table, but if they want any chance of keeping pace or even making a run at the title, it starts now.

Dortmund is in a weird position as they are one point ahead of Leipzig for fourth place, the last guaranteed Champions League spot, but well ahead of sixth place so basically are sure of a place in next season’s Europa League.

Still, as mentioned in the Juve-Lazio space, the Champions League is the first choice competition for all clubs.

Easter Monday Matches in Serie A
(Okay, this makes it technically more than “eight matches”)

There is a quintuple-header of Serie A matches starting at 6:30 a.m. on Monday with this year’s unheralded darlings Bologna hosting Salernitana and culminating with soon-to-be Scudetto winners Inter Milan hosting Empoli at 2:45 p.m.

In between there are two 9 a.m. encounters (Cagliari vs. Verona, Sassuolo vs. Udinese) and then Lecce hosting the beloved AS Roma at noon.

Okay, that’s all I have for this weekend … Happy Easter All! Ciao For Now!