Summer World Football Challenge 2011

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NEW YORK — MLS and CAA announced Friday that they are teaming to bring back the World Football Challenge, featuring some of the biggest and best-known soccer clubs from around the world.

And this time there'll be a local flavor, as MLS clubs will take part.

“We are pleased to have MLS clubs compete in this summer’s World Football Challenge, and our teams embrace the challenge of competing against top international opponents,” said Will Wilson, MLS executive vice president. “We have worked closely with CAA Sports in the past and are proud to partner with them to produce this innovative event for soccer fans throughout the region.”

The tournament will run from July 14 through August 6. The competing teams, schedule, format, event sponsors and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks. Televisa, a founding partner of the inaugural World Football Challenge, will remain involved in 2011.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/mls-caa-present-2011-world-football-challenge

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Barça, Man U In WFC

European powers joined by New England, Chicago

NEW YORK — One big name deserves another. A day after Major League Soccer announced that Manchester United will take on the MLS All-Stars, the league and CAA Sports jointly announced that United and fellow European giants FC Barcelona will participate in this summer's World Football Challenge.

Manchester United and Barcelona are only the first of the big-name clubs expected to confirm their participation in the multi-team tournament taking place in stadiums across the US and Canada this summer.

This year, the WFC also includes, for the first time, MLS teams. The New England Revolution will host EPL table-toppers Manchester United at Gillette Stadium on July 13. The Red Devils will then take on the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field on July 23.
Manchester United and Barcelona—who locked horns in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final (right)—will then meet each other at FedExField outside Washington, D.C., on July 30.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/manchester-united-fc-barcelona-headline-world-football-challenge

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Vancouver to host Manchester City in World Football Challenge

Whitecaps entertain EPL power on June 18 at Empire Field

NEW YORK – Vancouver Whitecaps FC may be new to MLS, but they’re jumping right into international competition. The ‘Caps will host English Premier League side Manchester City at Empire Field on July 18 as part of this summer’s World Football Challenge, Major League Soccer and CAA Sports announced on Thursday.

This marks the fourth announced match of the WFC, which will also enjoy the participation of City’s crosstown rivals Manchester United and FC Barcelona, as well as the New England Revolution and Chicago Fire of MLS.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/vancouver-host-manchester-city-world-football-challenge

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Galaxy to face Real Madrid in World Football Challenge

Donovan, Beckham set to battle Spanish giants in LA

CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy, in conjunction with Major League Soccer, CAA Sports and Multimedia Sports, announced today the club will return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the first time since 2007 to take on Spanish power Real Madrid on Saturday, July 16 at 7 p.m. as part of the 2011 World Football Challenge. Complete details regarding tickets for this game will be released in the coming weeks, but Galaxy full season seat holders will be eligible for a special presale prior to the public on sale.

“We are very excited to once again welcome back Real Madrid along with manager José Mourinho and their cadre of international talent to Los Angeles,” Galaxy President Tom Payne said. “Last year more than 89,000 fans witnessed these two clubs face off and the excitement for this rematch, at the historic Coliseum, will surely capture the attention of all sports fans in Southern California.”

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/05/06/la-galaxy-face-real-madrid-world-football-challenge

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Club America, Chivas De Guadajara To Play Barcelona


Mexican giants Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara are the latest teams to join this summer's World Football Challenge.


Chivas will play Spanish super-power Barcelona on Aug. 3 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

America will play Barcelona on Aug. 6 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

America and Chivas are arguably the two biggest clubs in Mexico and among the most decorated. Chivas has won 11 first-division titles -- more than any other team -- in their 105-year history. America has won 10 titles in their 95-year history, the second most in Mexico. Both teams are currently fighting for spots in the Mexican Primera playoffs.

www.sbnation.com/soccer/2011/3/25/2071682/2011-world-football-challenge-to-include-international-and-mls-teams

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World Football Challenge: Juventus vs. Club América in NYC
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Italian, Mexican powers to go at it on July 26 at Citi Field

Major League Soccer and CAA Sports announced on Thursday that storied Italian powerhouse Juventus FC will participate in this summer’s Herbalife World Football Championship. Their first stop will be at the home of the New York Mets: Citi Field in Flushing, N.Y., to face Mexico City powerhouse Club América on Tuesday, July 26, at 7:30 pm ET.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/09/juventus-meet-club-am%C3%A9rica-citi-field-world-football-challenge

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World Football Challenge: Juventus, Sporting Clube de Portugal in Toronto
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BMO Field will host storied Italian side, legendary Portuguese club

NEW YORK — Storied Italian club Juventus FC and legendary Portuguese side Sporting Clube de Portugal will square off as part of this summer’s Herbalife World Football Challenge at BMO Field in Toronto.

The match — which is the 13th announced so far in the WFC — will take place on July 23 (7 pm ET).

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/27/world-football-challenge-juventus-sporting-clube-de-portugal-toronto

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www.worldfootballchallenge.com/

ESPN, Univisión to air every World Football Challenge game
MLS network partners set to air all 14 WFC matches this summer

MLS broadcast partners ESPN and Univisión on Friday unveiled the complete broadcast schedule for the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge, the summer competition that will feature MLS clubs taking on some of the greatest international soccer clubs in the world.

ESPN will air all but one of the World Football Challenge matches across its networks, including on ESPN Deportes and online via ESPN3.com. Univisión’s networks will carry three of the World Football Challenge broadcasts. ESPN Deportes Radio and Univisión Radio will also present select radio coverage.

The two networks will air a total of 14 matches over the course of 25 days between July 13 and August 6.

The first match of the World Football Challenge kicks off next Wednesday, July 13, when the New England Revolution host English Premier League champions and UEFA Champions League finalists Manchester United at Gillette Stadium. The first-ever game between the two sides will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/08/espn-univisi%C3%B3n-air-every-world-football-challenge-game