Happy Friday and cheers to the start of Championship Opening Day for all those celebrating! England’s second tier kicks off a new season today, marking the beginning of an enthralling journey towards European club competitions. As the action unfolds, I’ve compiled an overview of what to expect as the season progresses.
Footy Fix
Always us/east
Friday, August 8th
🇪🇺 Friendly: Chelsea vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 2 PM
🇺🇸 NWSL: Houston Dash vs. North Carolina Courage, 8 PM (Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network)
Saturday, August 9th
🏴 EFL: Southampton vs. Wrexham, 7:30 AM (Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network)
🏴 EFL: Norwich City vs. Millwall, 10 AM (Chase + Paramount +)
🏴 EFL: Stoke City vs. Derby County, 10 AM (Chase + Paramount +)
🇪🇺 Friendly: Leeds vs. AC Milan, 10 AM
🇪🇺 Friendly: Palermo vs. Man City, 3 PM
Sunday, August 10th
🇪🇺 Friendly: Borussia Dortmund vs. Juventus, 11:30 AM
🏴 Community Shield: Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool, 10 AM (ESPN+)
🇺🇸 NWSL: Chicago Red Stars vs. Bay FC, 2 PM (Chap, Paramount+)
🇺🇸 NWSL: Portland Thorns vs. Seattle Reign, 4 PM (Chap, Paramount+)
Forward Front
Another Premier League Promotion Race Begins
In the Championship, the race to the top is the richest endeavor in soccer. Securing a Premier League spot comes with a minimum prize of $295 million for the three teams that earn promotion. As the Championship season kicks off today, Birmingham City faces Wrexham—a newcomer looking to stake its claim in the second division.
Wrexham, backed by Hollywood owners, aims to make a mark in the Premier League after unprecedented back-to-back promotions. However, history shows that teams vying for playoffs typically earn an average of 78.625 points per season, while newly promoted teams average around 53.17 points—with only three making it to the playoffs.
Birmingham City, returning to the Championship after a stint in League One, finds itself in a promising position against recently relegated teams like Southampton and Leicester City. The opening match provides a chance for them to showcase their ambitions and talents, as noted by James Benge.
- Update: Birmingham City responds to missing out on Ipswich recruit Tuba Akpom by signing German international Marvin Ducksch, who had an impressive goal tally in the Bundesliga.
Wrexham’s EFL Championship Debut
This season serves as a testing ground for several American players eager to make the US Men’s National Team for next year’s World Cup. Stars like Josh Sargent (Norwich City) and Haji Wright (Coventry City) will look to seize opportunities, but with limited roster spots available, competition will be fierce.
Currently, USMNT’s top forward position is uncertain due to injuries affecting key players Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi. This opens the door for American talents in the Championship to make their case, particularly for players like Damion Downs and Patrick Agyemang, who possess strong potential.
- Eustace’s View: "Training in this environment with our coaching staff will help Agyemang improve. There’s no rush for him; he has the potential to be a real asset at this level."
Top Stories
- Which Welsh club will rise to the Premier League next—Wrexham or Swansea City?
- Seattle Reign’s Laura Harvey is rebooting the team earlier than expected.
- Tottenham struggles in the wake of losing Son Heung-Min, compounded by James Madison’s injury.
- North Carolina Courage dismisses manager Sean Nahas without clear explanation.
- Manchester United is closing in on striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Backline
The Best Bet
- EFL: Birmingham City vs. Ipswich Town (3 PM ET)
Pick: Both teams to score (-116) – This opening clash between two eager Championship sides makes for an exciting match, with both teams highly motivated to secure points right off the bat.
For more expert picks and betting insights, check out the CBS Sports betting homepage.
📺 NWSL Returns to CBS and Paramount+
What is the CBS Sports Golazo Network?
☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8 AM-10 AM): Start your day with highlights, interviews, and soccer’s biggest stories on the Golazo Network, also available in podcast form.
3️⃣ The Third Attack (Mon, Wed, Thu): Regular coverage of women’s soccer, including NWSL updates and analysis.
⚽ Call It What You Want (Tue/Thu): Join hosts for discussions around the upcoming 2026 World Cup and USMNT updates.
🥅 Scoreline (Daily): Stay updated on global soccer news and highlights with daily broadcasts.
📺 Viewing: The CBS Sports Golazo Network offers comprehensive coverage of soccer tournaments globally, available for free on the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and Paramount+.
Fan Take
This news resonates with soccer fans as it highlights the competitive nature of the Championship and the potential for teams like Wrexham to elevate the league’s profile. Additionally, the emphasis on American players stepping up in this environment could reshape the landscape of U.S. soccer as they aim for national team spots ahead of the World Cup.
