Manchester Pub NYC

Bayern Munich takes on Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final this Saturday at 2:45pm. Watching the game here? Reservations can be made by emailing lawrence@manchesterpubnyc.com

There is no better place in New York City to watch the UEFA Champions League Final than here at the Manchester Pub, the best soccer bar in NYC.  We welcome fans of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund here to catch this very special All-German final.  And in honor of this clash of German titans, Paulaner  will be our featured beer on tap.

Matchday Giveaways and Prizes courtesy of Paulaner include glassware, liter mugs, bottles of reisling and a patio umbrella!

The Champions League final showcases the top two Bundesliga teams in the 2012-3 season, but Bayern Munich’s  25 point lead over second place Dortmund highlights the tremendous gulf between the two teams.  However, Munich has reached the Champions League final twice in the last three years and last both times.  Last year, they were the clear favorites against a beleaguered Chelsea squad, but played tightly and ultimately lost on penalties.  Will Munich’s recent history loom large over the team?

Bayern Munich are the heavy favorites, but Dortmund is stocked with young talent like Marco Reus, Mario Gotze, and Robert Lewandowski.

Meanwhile, Dortmund’s roster is stocked with top-level young talent.   Midfielder Mario Götze will actually transfer to Munich after the season at a hefty fee of $37 million.  Transfer rumors continue to surround striker Robert Lewandowski, with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal reportedly interested, along with, of course, FC Bayern.  And while are still smarting over US-raised defender Neven Subotic’s decision to represent Serbia internationally, we still root for him when he’s on the pitch for Dortmund.

Underdogs Dortmund has the talent to pull off this major upset.  In their 4 matches this season, Munich won the series went 2-0-2, but with an overall goal aggregate of only 5-3 over the four matches.  Dortmund will need to execute a flawless game plan and play as if they have nothing to lose.  Munich, with the pressure of being favorites and the weight of recent history, would have to succumb to all of that.  It has happened before.

Reservations are highly recommended for the Champions League final, and can be made by emailing lawrence@manchesterpubnyc.com.  The match kicks off on Saturday afternoon at 2:45pm, but as we expect to be full for the match, we encourage all those with reservations to claim your seat by 2:00pm or risk losing the reservation.

Tim Cahill hot scoring has led the New York Red Bulls into first place of the MLS Eastern Conference.

Outside of the Champions League, we have another big soccer weekend on our hands.  Chelsea and Manchester City are touring the United States for a pair of friendlies.  Real Madrid and Barcelona, with no Champions League play, are finishing up the La Liga season.  MLS is kicking into gear, with our red hot New York Red Bulls in first place of the Eastern Conference.  Then on Monday at 10am,  Watford and Crystal will face each other in “The Richest Game In The World,” the English Championship play-off where the winner receives promotion to the English Premier League and a total payment of about $100 million.

Here is the soccer schedule for the Memorial Day weekend:

Thursday 5/23

• 9:30pm – Chelsea vs. Manchester City – Friendly

Saturday 5/25

• 2:45pm – Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich – UEFA Champions League Final
• 5:30pm – Chelsea vs. Manchester City – Friendly

Sunday 5/26

• 2:00pm – Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid – La Liga
• 2:00pm – Barcelona vs. Real Valladolid – La Liga
• 3:30pm – Sporting KC vs. Houston Dynamo – MLS
• 5:00pm – New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew – MLS
• 11:00pm – LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders – MLS

Monday 5/27

• 10:00am – Watford vs. Crystal Palace – Championship Play-off Final