These days, the Chelsea FC and Real Madrid have all kinds of connections. So it’s fitting that they’ll meeting on Tuesday night. It’s a preseason clash in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place nicknamed “the Queen City” and/or “the hornet’s nest.” Both nicknames originate from the days when the United States of America was still a British colony.
The former an obvious homage to Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III. The latter is also a KG3 reference, as he disparagingly referenced to the city as “that hornet’s nest of rebellion” in the run-up to the American Revolution.
Preseason Friendly FYIs
Chelsea FC vs Real Madrid, the “Soccer Champions Tour”
Kickoff (local time): Tue. Aug 6, 7pm, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC, USA
Team News: Real Madrid Chelsea FC
Starting XI Predictions: Real Madrid Chelsea FC
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
The local NBA team was hence named…the Hornets. Okay, we’re done talking about things that make the city of Charlotte interesting. Because, honestly, that’s all there is!
Real Madrid will likely start two former Chelsea players on Tuesday night- Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger. As for another player with connections to both sides, Kepa Arrizabalaga, he is not currently with the side right now.
Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction vs Real Madrid (Club Friendly)
Jorgensen; Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell; Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Enzo Fernandez; Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling; Marc Guiu
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.