The first weekend following the transfer window has plenty of talking points. Some new faces have already seen the field for their respective clubs, while others are no doubt itching to impress. Fernando Torres. David Luiz. Michael Bradley. Daniel Sturridge. Luis Suarez. Emmanuel Addebayor. Gael Kakuta.

As they get adjusted to their sides and see the field for the first or second time, we sit back and watch. Here’s what we’ll be watching this weekend.

England

Aston Villa v. Fulham (Sat. 10:00 AM ET): Michael Bradley will look to make his debut as the Villans play host to Clint Dempsey and Fulham.

Tottenham v. Bolton (Sat. 10:00 AM ET, FSP – Tape Delay): Finally back to winning ways, Bolton will hope their success continues as they head to White Hart Lane.

Chelsea v. Liverpool (Sun. 11:00 AM ET, FSC): Without question, the match of the weekend. Traditional powers meet with plenty to play for and, with former Reds hero Fernando Torres expected to play a part, plenty of drama certain to ensue.

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Asian Cup

Australia v. Japan (Sat. 10:00 AM ET): The Finals of the Asian Cup could be decided not by who is the better team, but rather, who is healthiest.

England

It’s FA Cup time in England. While Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United play lower level sides, there are still several savory fixtures to be had.

Everton v. Chelsea (Sat. 7:30 AM ET): Tim Howard and Everton host a Chelsea side whose confidence is growing by the week.

Aston Villa v. Blackburn (Sat. 8:00 AM ET): Villa can count themselves among the EPL sides who, like Chelsea, are enjoying a resurgence in the second half of January. Darren Bent will hope his new club continues their inspired form as they host Balckburn.

Fulham v. Tottenham (Sun. 11:30 AM ET): An FA Cup Derby. Fulham and Tottenham are back at it, with Tottenham having taken the last meeting between the London foes.

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The USMNT will host Chile Saturday night in what should be an excellent opportunity to see some of the younger fringe players in the US pool get a chance to prove they belong. Noah Davis is in Carson, CA for the match providing some thoughts and impressions from the build-up and game.

USA v. Chile (Sat. 10:00 PM ET, Telefutura and ESPN3)

Be sure to vote below for which USMNT player you think could could help his first team case the most against Chile.

Asian Cup

Meanwhile, the Asian Cup continues as the final quarterfinal fixtures are played while Japan and Uzbekistan await the winners.

Australia v. Iraq (Sat. 8:25 AM ET)
Iran v. South Korea (Sat. 11:25 AM ET)

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With the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Serie A on break, England, Scotland, and Spain play host to our attention as 2011 begins. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to hold that attention. Here’s what we’ll be watching this weekend.

England

Liverpool v. Bolton (Sat. 10:00 AM ET): Any guesses as to Roy Hodgson’s New Year’s resolutions? The Red’s boss needs a spectacular 2011 if he’d like to keep his job at Anfield. Stuart Holden will be absent for Owen Coyle’s side, who will look to get back to winning ways.

Tottenham v. Fulham (Sat. 10:00 AM ET): Fulham are back in the relegation zone following Wigan’s draw with Arsenal on Wednesday. Interest in Clint Dempsey has continued to rise, but with Bobby Zamora still recovering from injury and no one else consistently scoring, Mark Hughes will be reluctant to part with the American during the January transfer window. Fulham will face Spurs away in a London derby hoping to claim only their second away win of the season.

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While a little match at Stamford Bridge will steal most of the headlines, another game is sure to provide plenty of thrills and – quite possibly – chills. Tout Puissant Mazembe Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo will take on Inter Milan in the finals of the Club World Cup. Les corbeaux - or, the crows – will face the European Champions Inter in the United Arab Emirates, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 PM ET on Saturday. It’s been a stunning run for the African champions – although they aren’t surprised – and a win over Inter would be more that just icing on the cake. Either way, Inter’s Samuel Eto’o already believes they’ve already made Africa proud.

Here’s what else we’ll be checking out:

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Europe will garner most of the attention with some high-profile matches on tap this weekend. But stateside, Division I Men’s Soccer is nearing it’s ultimate showdown. Louisville and North Carolina face off tonight (Fri. 8:30 PM ET, ESPN2) with Akron and Michigan following at 11:00 PM ET (ESPN2). The winners will meet in the College Cup Final on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET (ESPN2) in Santa Barbara, CA. While Louisville is the top seed in the tournament, Akron boasts perhaps the most talented side in the country. The bracket here.

England

Two key matches in the Premier League this weekend won’t determine the champion, but could go a long way in making title contenders’ intentions known to the rest of the league. With Patrice Evra running his mouth and Arsene Wenger coolly firing back ahead of their sides’ clash, Chelsea’s near freefall, and Tottenham’s surge, there are plenty of storylines before the weekend has even begun.

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With the next 12 years of World Cups finally decided, we can turn our attention back to soccer present and let Brazil, Russia, and Qatar worry about building stadiums made of giant TV’s, paying off Zinedine Zidane, security, and the million other inner-workings of hosting the world’s largest sporting event.

There may be no MLS left to satiate our domestic apetite, but some interesting European games and the Mexican league final should do. Here’s what we’ll be checking out this weekend.

England

Arsenal v. Fulham (Sat. 10:00 AM ET): Winless in November, Clint Dempsey and the Cottagers will look to upset the Gunners, mid-week winners over Wigan in the Carling Cup, and climb out of relegation danger.

Chelsea v. Everton (Sat. 10:00 AM ET): After last weekend’s embarrassing loss to West Brom, Everton will seek to add to Chelsea’s losing woes. The Blues will be boosted by the much needed returns of Michael Essien and John Terry.

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