Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Illustrious quartet

Not all outlets have done this but I've seen on several places how this tournament between Milan, Inter and Chelsea has been scheduled for this summer.

Um... there's this other team called Club America who are also participating in the tournament. Not sure if you've heard of them. I know, you guys barely pay attention to what goes on south of the border, but clearly you must have heard of one of the most popular clubs in the Western Hemisphere.

Ahem.

America, Chelsea, Inter Milan and AC Milan will play in a four team tournament this summer across six US cities. For America, this match presents an opportunity the club does not often have, and that's to measure up against top European clubs. America has played the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United before but it's a good opportunity for the team to play some high-caliber preseason friendlies while making some money in the process.

This series is expected to draw massive crowds as well, since NFL stadiums or other large stadiums have been called on, including the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, which will have played host to a Gold Cup match there prior to this game.

Here's the full slate of games, that kicks off between America and Inter Milan

Sunday, July 19
Club America vs. Inter Milan, Palo Alto 4 p.m. PT

Tuesday, July 21
Chelsea vs. Inter Milan, Pasadena 8 p.m. PT

Wednesday, July 22
AC Milan vs. Club America, Atlanta, 4 p.m. PT

Friday, July 24
AC Milan vs. Chelsea, Baltimore, 5 p.m. PT

Sunday, July 26
AC Milan vs. Inter Milan, Foxborough, Mass., 2 p.m. PT

Sunday, July 26
Chelsea FC vs. Club America, Arlington, Texas, 4 p.m. PT

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, while I'll agree Club America is a very popular team, they aren't THAT popular. I am studying abroad in South America right now and most people here are aware who they are but they aren't anybody special. They are no Boca Juniors, River Plate, Sao Paolo, etc...

They are only aware of them due to Mexico's invites in Copa Libertadores.

I think where Club America is really popular is in Mexico and Central America, as well as the United States.

Anonymous said...

America is nowhere near any of the other three clubs and claiming they're so popular in the Western Hemisphere is a major stretch. I'd argue the Galaxy is a more popular club worldwide than America will ever will be. Of course that's due to one player but...
Let's look at it at face value, it's a thinly veiled attempt to attract Mexicans to games. Simple as that.

Anonymous said...

Im conflicted.

On one hand, as a fan of football, I would marvel at the chance to see such great teams play.

On the other hand, fuck these teams! If they love the USA so much then invest in our league, in our youth teams, develop academies, and invite American players to tryout.

I know Chelsea does camps and works with USA-based academies, but don't pimp your history or your name to a country whose soccer you make fun of, whose fan support you don't respect, and whose league you don't know about.

Be honest, you're here for money. Money which is a little hard to come by these days.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you are going to have a prettty busy summer Luis with the gold cup , football challenge ,superliga and oh yeah the return of becks

Anonymous said...

So what does "popular" mean? Everybody heard of that clubs name or fans that follow the club?

CACuzcatlan said...

Anonymous, of course they are here for the money. I don't know where you get the idea that they care about US soccer. No one is even suggesting that.

Anonymous said...

Great set of games. I would like to see America play.

Anonymous said...

No America is that popular, maybe not among Angol American who tend to be Eurocentric. But they have a huge following in North America, and money wise that's all that matters.

I'm sure that some people in North America have heard of Boca, River, and Sao Paolo but their following doesn't even come close to Americas.

El Hocicón said...

Joe, popularity and visibility aren't the same thing. More people might have heard of the Galaxy (only because of Beckham), but there's no way in hell more people follow the Galaxy and their progess in comparison to how many people follow Club America.

ryebreadraz said...

Speaking of the Gold Cup, is there any word on the schedule? I'd love to know who is playing where and when.

Anonymous said...

Yeah America is that popular. Last weekend they had around 100k at the Azteca, I don't know if anyone around the world had that many people in their stadium

Anonymous said...

America is NOT that popular. Again, its really popular in its own country and in a country where a significant amount of the people have heritage from that country. But worldwide appeal? No way. You can go to Mexico and see people with Chelsea jerseys. You don't go to England and see people with Club America jerseys.

Anonymous said...

The games are being played in the U.S. not China, so what does it matter if they're not popular in England, I'll like to see an Italian in Italy wear a Man U jersey. The dollar is King, and that all the matters.