*War and family: Danny Cruz’s emotional story. My feature on D.C. United’s 22-year-old midfielder.

*Cruz and United, riding a seven-game unbeaten streak since losing its first two MLS matches, will face the Western Conference leader San Jose Earthquakes tonight in Santa Clara, Calif. The Quakes are on a six-game run.

In the D.C. area, Comcast SportsNet Plus will provide live coverage (channel locator here). In the Bay Area, CSN California will carry it. Nationally, the match is on the league’s platforms, Direct Kick and MLS Live.

*Who is mentoring Chris Pontius’s acclimation at forward? Player/assistant coach Josh Wolff.

*The Los Angeles Times is reporting Galaxy starting goalkeeper Josh Saunders has entered the league’s substance abuse and behavioral health program. The Galaxy is at Seattle tonight, while New England hosts Colorado and the Canadian Championship (the northern version of the U.S. Open Cup) commences with Toronto (winless in MLS heading into Saturday’s home match against DCU) visiting Montreal and Vancouver traveling to FC Edmonton, a second-tier club from the NASL.

*Speaking of the U.S. Open Cup, the pairings are set for the May 15 first round and the May 22 second stage. MLS clubs enter a week later.

For Americans abroad and TV listings.....

*Americans abroad:

Tuesday

GK Tim Howard 90 minutes in Everton’s 1-1 draw at Stoke City

MF Clint Dempsey 90 in Fulham’s 1-0 win at Liverpool

MF Michael Bradley 78 in Chievo’s 0-0 draw with Roma

Wednesday

GK Brad Friedel and Spurs at D Tim Ream and Bolton

F Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar at Nijmejen

D Carlos Bocanegra, MF Maurice Edu, MF Alejandro Bedoya and Rangers vs. Dundee United

MF Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht vs. MF Mikkel Diskerud and Gent

D Michael Parkhurst and Nordsjaelland vs. Copenhagen

MF Jose Torres and Pachuca vs. Club America

*Soccer on TV:

Spain, Atletico Madrid vs. Real Sociedad noon ESPN3.com

Spain, Barcelona vs. Malaga 2 p.m. ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com

Spain, Sevilla vs. Real Betis 2 p.m. GolTV

Spain, Mallorca vs. Rayo Vallecano 2 p.m. DirecTV (477)

Spain, Zaragoza vs. Levante 2 p.m. DirecTV (478)

Netherlands, Ajax vs. Venlo 2 p.m. ESPN3.com

Italy, AC Milan vs. Atalanta 2:30 p.m. ESPN3.com

Italy, Parma vs. Inter Milan 2:30 p.m. ESPN3.com

Italy, Juventus vs. Lecce 2:30 p.m. ESPN3.com

England, Chelsea vs. Newcastle 2:30 p.m. Fox Soccer

England, Bolton vs. Spurs 2:30 p.m. Fox Soccer Plus, foxsoccer2go.com

Scotland, Rangers vs. Dundee United 2:45 p.m. foxsoccer2go.com

Spain, Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid 4 p.m. GolTV

Spain, Valencia vs. Osasuna 4 p.m. DirecTV (477)

MLS, New England vs. Colorado 8 p.m. Direct Kick, MLS Live

Mexico playoffs, Pachuca vs. Club America 9:30 p.m. Telefutura

MLS, Seattle vs. Los Angeles 10 p.m. Direct Kick, MLS Live

MLS, San Jose vs. D.C. United 10:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet Plus/DC, Direct Kick, MLS Live