U.S.-China World Cup matchup highlights weekend TV menu

In the most memorable moment in the history of American women’s team sports, the United States beat China in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final before more than 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl — winning on a penalty kick by Brandi Chastain, who famously ripped off her jersey to celebrate.

Sixteen years later, the U.S. and China will meet today in a rematch in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals at Ottawa, Ontario’s Lansdowne Stadium, which holds less than 30,000.

The limited capacity is one reason tickets for today’s game are selling for more than five times their face value ($189 is the cheapest seat available on StubHub). Of course, you can get a great view of the action from your couch, as the match will be shown at 4:30 p.m. on Fox (5).

The U.S. has a 24-game unbeaten streak against China dating to 2003, but has been less than impressive in the World Cup, scoring only six goals in its four games.

The Americans, who beat Colombia 2-0 on Monday in their first elimination game, will be without midfielders Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday, who were suspended because of yellow card accumulation.

China, ranked No. 16, clipped Cameroon 1-0 on Saturday to start the knockout stage.

To scout the second-ranked Americans’ potential semifinal foe, check out the marquee quarterfinal matchup of top-ranked Germany against No. 3 France at 1 p.m. on Fox (5).

TODAY

BEST OF REST: MLB: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals or New York Yankees at Houston Astros (5 p.m., MLBN (314)), Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels (7 p.m., FSW (49)).

SATURDAY

Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays (10 a.m., MLBN (314)): Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre was activated off the disabled list Tuesday, but Las Vegan Joey Gallo — who was called up when Beltre was placed on the DL — has stayed with the team, playing left field. Gallo is batting .224 with five home runs and 10 RBIs in his first 21 games in the big leagues. The 21-year-old rookie is expected to remain with the Rangers at least until Josh Hamilton returns from the DL, which could be Monday.

BEST OF REST: MLB: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (4 p.m., Fox (5)); NHL Draft: (7 a.m., NHLN (316)); Women’s World Cup, quarterfinals: Australia vs. Japan (1 p.m., FS1 (329), KBLR (9)), England vs. Canada (4:30 p.m., FS1 (329)).

SUNDAY

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (5 p.m., ESPN (30)): Hopefully, Las Vegan Kris Bryant will be back at third base for the Cubs in time for the latest installment of one of baseball’s best rivalries.

The 23-year-old rookie left Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers after two innings because of flu-like symptoms.

Bryant is batting .278 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs for Chicago (39-32), which trails the first-place Cards (48-24) by 8½ games after Thursday’s defeat but would make the National League playoffs as a wild card if the season ended today.

BEST OF REST: MLB: New York Yankees at Houston Astros or Minnesota Twins at Milwaukee Brewers (11 a.m., MLBN (314)), Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels (12:30 p.m., FSW (49)), Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres (1 p.m., Prime (50), Cox (96)).

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33.