After bursting back onto our TV screens last weekend, Major League Soccer delivered a timely reminder of its plus points, with a host of thrilling contests to savor.

So when picking selections for this weekend’s best games, it seemed only fair to opt for two clashes from the United States’ top flight, including two teams who enjoyed handsome wins on the opening weekend.

Matches in English soccer take up the remaining slots. The FA Cup has just eight teams left in contention and two of the weekend’s quarter-final matches look especially enticing. Rounding the weekend off is a Premier League tussle on Monday which will have a massive impact at both ends of the table.

All kick-offs are in Eastern time. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the games!

Everton vs. Chelsea

Saturday, March 12, 12:30PM, FOX Sports 2 and FOX Soccer 2GO

This season has become all about the cup competitions for Everton and Chelsea, and they’ll each be seeking to keep their FA Cup chances alive when they meet at Goodison Park this weekend.

For temporary Blues boss Guus Hiddink this is a fixture which will stir memories of his previous glorious stint at the club, as Chelsea beat the Toffees 2-1 in the 2009 final under his tutelage. And coming into this game, in domestic matches the Stamford Bridge side have yet to lose a match under his guidance.

Everton are also seeking to salvage something from their poor term. The Toffees are languishing down in 12th position in the table and pressure is beginning to mount on manager Roberto Martinez. On home soil the team have struggled badly in 2015-16 too and the visitors will be keen to capitalize on a team that’s badly lacking in cohesion at the moment.

Still, a late kick-off and a big name opponent will get this iconic old stadium rocking. For the sake of neutrals, hopefully Everton will feed on that atmosphere and give an improving Chelsea team a very tough game on the night.

 

Colorado Rapids vs. Los Angeles Galaxy

Saturday, March 12, 7:00PM, MLS Live and Altitude

Los Angeles Galaxy’s superb start to the season will see them head to face the Colorado Rapids with a spring in their step on Saturday.

Bruce Arena’s team is packed with high-profile players and they flexed their muscles on the opening weekend against DC United. The likes of Robbie Keane, Mike Magee and Ashley Cole were extremely impressive on the day, as they recovered from an early setback to win 4-1; they’ll be desperate to continue building in Week 2.

The Rapids could be vulnerable too. While there will be a brilliant atmosphere at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for their first home game of the season, there weren’t too many positives to take from their opening day defeat against the San Jose Earthquakes. Bouncing back here against Los Angeles would certainly give everyone at the club some renewed impetus.

For all the ability within their ranks, the Galaxy endured a difficult spell on the road last season, winning just two games from 17 in away matches. If they haves eye for the Supporters’ Shield or the MLS Cup this season, that’s a record they’ll have to improve by a significant margin.

 

Manchester United vs. West Ham United

Sunday, March 13, Noon, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Soccer 2GO

Manchester United and West Ham United may each have their eyes on potential Champions League qualification, although an FA Cup triumph would be welcomed by both sets of supporters.

United manager Louis van Gaal recently conceded that despite still being in the Europa League, he’d prefer to see his side clinch FA Cup glory instead. And with a home draw in the quarter-finals, the Old Trafford crowd will be confident that their next game in the competition will be at Wembley Stadium, as they look to finish the campaign on a high.

West Ham are going to be very difficult opposition, though. Slaven Bilic’s side boast one of the division’s standout players in Dimitri Payet and while he’s been grabbing the headlines with some mesmeric displays, the quality of the squad has shone through in recent weeks, with the likes of Michail Antonio and Mark Noble performing superbly.

Playing away from home seems to suit the Hammers too, having won at Goodison Park, Anfield, the Emirates Stadium and the Etihad Stadium already this season. You certainly wouldn’t put it past this exciting outfit to add Old Trafford and Wembley to that impressive list of venues at which they’ve triumphed.

 

New York City FC vs. Toronto FC

Sunday, March 13, 4:00PM, ESPN2, WatchESPN and Sling TV

New York City and Toronto are two teams plenty expect to challenge for the MLS Cup this season and we’ll get an early glimpse of how handy they are under pressure when they face off against each other on Sunday.

Both of these sides were able to secure wins on the opening day, but they did so in contrasting style. New York edged a thrilling match on the road at Chicago Fire, coming out on top by a 4-3 scoreline. For Toronto, the three points came much more routinely, with a professional 2-0 win at the New York Red Bulls.

For City, there will be some concerns heading into this clash. While there are few finer attacking set-ups in the division, Patrick Vieira’s team still seem ropey at the back and a better side than Chicago may would have ran in more than three goals in what was a chaotic 90 minutes.

Toronto certainly have the capabilities to expose these weaknesses, especially with the division’s standout player, Sebastian Giovinco, within their ranks. The Italian bagged a goal and an assist against the Red Bulls and with him, Michael Bradley, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo all in action, this is a clash not to be missed.

 

Leicester City vs. Newcastle United

Monday, March 14, 4:00PM, NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

There’s little doubt that Leicester City are now favorites for the Premier League title after their win at Watford last weekend and they can take another big step towards glory on Monday when they host struggling Newcastle United.

The Magpies need the points just as much as Leicester in this one. Despite splashing the cash in the January transfer window they still find themselves entrapped in a relegation battle and with Steve McClaren’s future shrouded in doubt at the time of writing, United are clearly considering decisive action. Owner Mike Ashley will want to see a reaction at the King Power Stadium.

It’s tough to see that scenario coming to fruition, though. After all, this Leicester team are the antithesis of the Toon Army; they play with endeavor, organization, incision and versatility. Only Arsenal have got the better of Claudio Ranieri’s team on home soil this season too and with the climax of the campaign closing in, they’re showing no signs of nerves.

It’d be a massive surprise if Newcastle were to get anything here, although it’s going to be intriguing to see how Leicester, who many now consider to be Champions elect, cope with the pressure of picking up three points in a game they really should win.