• My pick for the European Championship: France, playing at home, might have some worries with team chemistry, but the team just has too much firepower not to pick it on home soil. I like Spain to reach the final as well but France to win 1-0 on July 10 at Stade de France.
• If the USA wins or ties vs. Paraguay on Saturday, it will likely play Brazil in the Copa America quarterfinals — a tough matchup for the U.S. After two group games, Mexico is through to the quarterfinals already, but El Tri still has plenty to play for. Losing to Venezuela on Monday would likely mean a difficult quarterfinal matchup with Argentina.
• After three consecutive NASL losses, Minnesota United's U.S. Open Cup game Wednesday looms large. The Loons face Sporting Kansas City, the first time Minnesota has played host to an MLS team in the cup since 2009, a loss on penalties to the then-Kansas City Wizards. A win would make United's summer break a little more palatable; a loss would add to its misery.
