MLS vs. the World (Friendlies)

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D.C. United set to host Everton in international friendly

Black-and-Red to face historic English Premier League side at RFK Stadium

Washington, D.C. – D.C. United announced today the club will play an international friendly against English Premier League side Everton Football Club on Saturday, July 23 at RFK Stadium. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

“D.C. United takes pride in measuring our club against the best clubs worldwide,” said United President & CEO Kevin Payne. “In Everton, we have yet another world-class opponent visiting RFK Stadium. Our respect for their organization is deep and we look forward to hosting them this summer.”

www.dcunited.com/press-release/2011/03/dc-united-set-to-host-everton-in-international-friendly

Timbers Play Host to Ajax in International Friendly

Portland faces renowned Dutch side May 25


PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers today announced that they will play host to renowned Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax in an international friendly Wednesday, May 25, at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Tickets for the exhibition against Ajax are included in full-season ticket packages as Exhibition A. The friendly is also included as part of half-season plan B and five-game package F. Details regarding single-game tickets and an on-sale date will be announced at a later time.

Based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ajax is one of the most storied clubs in European soccer. It is one of only five clubs to repeat as European champions, winning the European Champions Cup three consecutive years from 1971-73. Ajax, founded in 1900, won three major European titles in 1972, taking home the national championship, Dutch Cup and European Champions Cup. The club won its last European Champions Cup, now known as Champions League, in 1995. Ajax has won the Eredivisie (first division) title 29 times.

portlandtimbers.com/news/2011/03/timbers-play-host-ajax-international-friendly

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D.C. United to host AFC Ajax in international friendly

Black-and-Red to face legendary Dutch side May 22

Washington, D.C. – D.C. United announced today plans for the club to play an international friendly against legendary Dutch Eredivisie side AFC Ajax on Sunday, May 22 at RFK Stadium. Though Ajax played a 1-1 draw against the U.S. Men’s National Team at RFK Stadium on May 12, 1990, this will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Kick-off is set for 5:00 p.m. ET.

www.dcunited.com/press-release/2011/03/dc-united-to-host-afc-ajax-in-international-friendly

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FC Dallas, Tigres UANL resume Rio Grande Plate

FCD travel to Monterrey to take on Tigres in 1st leg of series


FRISCO, Texas – While most MLS teams are testing their depth charts ahead of the international friendly date this Saturday, FC Dallas traveled to Monterrey, Mexico, where they will face Tigres UANL in the renewal of the Rio Grande Plate on Wednesday night.

FCD captain Daniel Hernandez, a veteran of the Mexican league, thinks this is a good opportunity for FC Dallas to reacquaint themselves with the 51-year-old club.

“We are going down there trying to start this new relationship with Tigres,” Hernandez told MLSsoccer.com before departing for Mexico. “They play great soccer, have a great atmosphere in their stadium, and it will be a good test for us.”

FC Dallas’ relationship with Tigres dates back to 2006, when the MLS team won the first match 2-0 at home before taking capturing the inaugural Rio Grande Plate with a 5-4 win in penalties in Monterrey.

In 2007, Tigres posted two 2-0 wins over FC Dallas, regaining the silver plate that serves as the trophy.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/fc-dallas-tigres-uanl-resume-rio-grande-plate

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Sporting KC to host Newcastle United F.C.

EPL club will play at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on July 20

This match will continue the presence of prominent soccer matches in Kansas City and will be an outstanding opportunity for supporters to see Sporting Kansas City play against another strong team from the English Premier League,” Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman said. “We are excited to bring a club that has such a passionate following and we are hopeful that their great fans will join us in Kansas City at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on July 20th.”

In preparation for the friendly, which has been brokered by Santio Sports and Entertainment, the EPL club is expected to hold training sessions at the Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park (formerly Swope Park Training Center, 6310 Lewis Rd., Kansas City, Mo) from July 17 through July 19 as part of their pre-season. VIP packages, including the opportunity to attend a Newcastle United training session, an exclusive autograph session with Newcastle players and a coaches’ clinic with the team's technical staff, will be made available at a later date.

www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/03/sporting-kc-host-newcastle-united-fc

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Timbers To Host Mexico's Club America at JELD-WEN Field

Mexican side to play Portland on July 7

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today that they will play host to accomplished Mexican side Club América in an international exhibition on Thursday, July 7, at JELD-WEN Field; kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Details regarding tickets for the friendly against Club América will be announced at a later time.

Based in Mexico City, Club América is one of the most successful clubs in Mexican soccer, having won 33 total championships since its founding in 1916. The club boasts 14 league championships, including five Primera División titles during the 1980s, winning their most recent during the 2005 Clausura season. Club América is a five-time winner of the CONCACAF Champions League and competed in the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.

www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2011/04/timbers-host-mexicos-club-america-jeld-wen-field

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Dynamo to host Bolton in Charities Cup

Third annual charity match to feature EPL club on July 20

The Houston Dynamo will take on English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers in the third annual Dynamo Charities Cup on July 20 at Robertson Stadium, the clubs announced today. Bolton, currently eighth in the EPL standings, will be the first European team the Dynamo have ever faced in an official friendly match. Ticket details for the match will be announced at a later date, but Dynamo season ticket holders already have reserved seats as part of their ticket package.

video: houtv.neulion.com/mlsvp/console.jsp?catid=854&id=13887

www.houstondynamo.com/news/2011/04/dynamo-host-bolton-charities-cup

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Union to Host Everton FC July 20 at PPL Park


Chester, Pa. (April 27, 2011) – Philadelphia Union today announced the team will host English Premier League club Everton FC on Wednesday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. EST, at PPL Park. The match, featuring U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard and Australian international Tim Cahill for Everton, is included in Union full season ticket packages at no additional cost.

Full season ticket holders will also be invited to attend Everton’s practice session at PPL Park on Tuesday, July 19. Five-time FA Cup champions and winners of nine top flight league titles in England, the Blues currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League, just five points behind local rivals Liverpool F.C.

www.philadelphiaunion.com/news/2011/04/union-host-everton-fc-july-20-ppl-park

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Red Bulls to face Arsenal, PSG at Emirates Cup in London

New York to be first MLS team to participate in Arsenal's premier international tournament

HARRISON, NJ– The New York Red Bulls will participate in the 2011 edition of the Emirates Cup, an international competition held at the Emirates Stadium in London, England, from July 30-31. In addition to the Red Bulls, storied English side and host Arsenal FC, legendary French club Paris Saint-Germain and Argentine powerhouse Club Atlético Boca Juniors will participate.

The Red Bulls will be the first MLS club in history to participate in the tournament, with New York Designated Player and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry returning to take on his former club, where he was the team’s all-time leading goalscorer with 226 goals.

www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2011/04/red-bulls-face-arsenal-psg-emirates-cup-london

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Boing Boing!

Timbers to Play West Brom

Portland Timbers are to play EPL club West Bromwich Albion in a friendly.
They will host the West Midlands club on Wednesday, July 20, at JELD-WEN Field at 8 p.m.
Albion, known colloquially as West Brom, have surprised many with the ease with which they have escaped relegation from the EPL in a better season than expected.

Officially the club’s nickname is the Throstles after the bird that adorns their crest. However it is rarely used by fans who would tell you that the club’s nickname is the Baggies.

www.prostamerika.com/2011/05/10/boing-boing-timbers-to-play-west-brom-42628/

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The Columbus Crew will play host to Newcastle United FC of the English Premier League on Tuesday, July 26, at Crew Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and be classified as ‘Special Game A’ for Crew Soccer Nation Gold members.

www.thecrew.com/newcastle

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Earthquakes to host EPL's West Brom on July 12

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, May 12 at 10 a.m. PT

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club will host West Bromwich Albion from the English Premier League (EPL) on Tuesday, July 12 at Buck Shaw Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Individual tickets will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, May 12 at 10 a.m. at SJEarthquakes.com and by calling [phone]. Season ticket holders should use their Bonus Game “B” ticket for the match. Season ticket holders will also be able to purchase additional individual and group tickets from Tuesday, May 10 until tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday. Prices for individual seats range from $20 to $50.

www.sjearthquakes.com/news/2011/05/earthquakes-host-epls-west-brom-july-12