I saw an ad the other day that the Premier League kicks off in about a month (August 15th).
Usually the pre-season is pretty boring, but for soccer fans in the U.S. the next 30 days is pure soccer magic.
To kick things off we have the World Football Challenge involving AC Milan, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Club America. These games kick off on July 19th with Club America playing Inter Milan at Stamford. Two of the highlights of the challenge are Chelsea v former boss Jose Mourinho on July 21st and then the Milan derby between Inter and AC Milan on July 26th in Boston. I will be at that one. See schedule below for TV times.
If that was not enough, we have the European Champions FC Barcelona playing three games in the U.S. Barcelona’s schedule includes games against the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders. All three Barcelona games will be on FSC I believe.
Anthe Spanish team touring this summer is Real Madrid. Ronaldo and Kaka will be on display in Toronto on August 7th (I will be there) and in Washington on August 9th. Both games should be shown on FSC.
Throw in the Gold Cup, the MLS all-star game against Everton on July 29th and the matter of a World Cup Qualifying game in Mexico city on August 12th and it is truly an incredible month of action for soccer fans
World Football Challenge TV Schedule
Sunday, July 19
Club America vs. Inter Milan at Stanford Stadium (Palo Alto, Calif.)
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Tuesday, July 21
Chelsea FC vs. Inter Milan at the Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)
11 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Wednesday, July 22
AC Milan vs. Club America at the Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Ga.)
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Friday, July 24
AC Milan vs. Chelsea FC at M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, Md.)
8 p.m. EST on ESPN
Sunday, July 26
AC Milan vs. Inter Milan at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
5 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Sunday, July 26
Chelsea FC vs. Club America at Dallas Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2