How much should we celebrate this PACKED weekend of sporting goodness?
As the US women’s national team found out this week, some people like to criticize too much celebration. But with a smorgasbord of great match-ups to watch, I think we’re still ok to break out The Ickey Shuffle on Sunday night.
The national team returns to World Cup action this weekend to take on Chile, as golf’s national championship culminates in picturesque Pebble Beach, California.
That’s not all. Tyson Fury and Tom Schwarz will go toe-to-toe in the boxing ring, and up to a billion people are expected to watch India and Pakistan face off in a match of cricket.
Here’s your guide to the weekend’s biggest sports events:
The 119th US Open
The United States Open Championship culminates over the weekend, with the third and final rounds of golf playing out from the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Golf’s third major of the season sees Tiger Woods commanding the most attention. The 15-time major winner is seeking another title to make ground on Jack Nicklaus’ mark of 18.
However, it is Brooks Koepka who is the favorite to win after earning his second-straight PGA Championship victory PLUS winning the last two US Opens.
No matter who wins, the backdrop of iconic Pebble Beach alone is worth your time.
Watch it:
Saturday, Third round: 12 p.m. ET - 10 p.m. ET on Fox
Sunday, Final round: 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET on Fox
International viewers should check local listings
NCAA Men’s College World Series
Eight of college baseball’s best teams have arrived in Omaha to compete in the 73rd NCAA Men’s College World Series.
The Nebraska city, dubbed “the home of college baseball,” has hosted the championship every year since 1950. Whichever team wins the series will secure the title and, as tradition dictates, produce a human dog-pile.
Watch it:
Saturday, Game 1: Texas Tech vs. Michigan, 2 p.m. ET on ESPN
Saturday, Game 2: Arkansas vs. Florida State, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Sunday, Game 3: Vanderbilt vs. Louisville, 2 p.m. ET on ESPN
Sunday, Game 4: Mississippi State vs. Auburn, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2
International viewers should check local listings
NOTE: Games continue throughout next week, with the championship winner and subsequent dog pile projected for either June 25th or 26th.
Tyson Fury vs Tom Schwarz
Boxing has had its fair share of charismatic characters, but heavyweight fighter Tyson Fury’s bombastic personality will make you crave more. Fury isn’t shy about sharing his public battle with depression all while showcasing his mix of boastful, self-deprecating humor.
Wanna see what we’re talking about? Watch this Fury interview with CNN’s Don Riddell, in which he brags about being a “FAT MAN!”
Fury (27-0-1, 19 KOs) will go toe-to-toe with Germany’s Tom Schwarz (24-0, 16 KOs) on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Interestingly, these two undefeated boxers don’t seem to have a shred of animosity toward each other. In fact, they may have just become best friends.
Watch it: Saturday at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN+
International viewers should check local listings.
India vs Pakistan
Sure rivalries like Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, Red Sox vs. Yankees and Duke vs. North Carolina grab a lot of headlines, but it’s India vs Pakistan that is the mother of all showdowns.
The repercussions of the cricket match will be felt by up to a billion people who will tune in from India, Pakistan and neighboring subcontinental countries, as well as fans all over the world.
“It is probably one of the biggest games of sport in the world. There are very few others that will have the impact that this has in terms of the audience and viewership,” says Steve Elworthy, the managing director of this summer’s Cricket World Cup.
Watch it: Sunday at 5:30 a.m. ET on Willow
International viewers should check local listings.
Women’s World Cup: United States vs Chile
Wow. That escalated quickly. In their opening game of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, the US team opened their account by ruthlessly thrashing Thailand 13-0 – the largest lopsided defeat in World Cup history.
Some argued that a team could only become #1 by showing no mercy. And that celebrating goals – all of them – is cool and good.
Others, including former national team players, were highly critical of the “unnecessary” celebrations when the game was clearly in hand.
All the noise surrounding the successful World Cup debut means Sunday’s match vs Chile (a team ranked lower than Thailand) is must-see TV. It’s expected that the Americans will dispatch the Chileans with ease. But how will they celebrate their goals?
Watch it: Sunday, 12 p.m. ET on Fox
International viewers, check your local listings.
