Our hometown Chicago Fire will take some time off from MLS play to participate in the World Football Challenge versus 19-time English Premier League Champion Manchester United at Soldier Field on Saturday, July 23 at 4:00 p.m. CT live on ESPN2/ESPN Deportes.
The Fire, playing in their third match in seven days, will take on one of the EPL’s marquee teams at the home of the Chicago Bears in just six days
Led by Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United is one of the most recognized clubs in the world, lifting a total of 19 English Premier League titles, four Carling cups, three European Cups and a record 11 FA Cups. United’s list of international standouts includes English national team stars Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, speedy Portuguese winger Nani, Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, team captain Nemanja Vidic of Serbia, Korean international midfielder Ji-Sung Park, Brazilian twins Fabio and Rafael, and French international defender Patrice Evra.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. Manchester United
The Fire are 6-8-3 all-time in international friendlies since 1998. The Fire have played 17 friendlies against teams from Mexico, England, Italy, Germany, France, Scotland and Poland.
The Fire are 2-0-0 all-time in friendly matches against English Premier League opposition. The club defeated Derby County 1-0 on July 20, 1999 at Soldier Field and downed Everton FC 2-0 on July 30, 2008 at TOYOTA PARK.
The match marks the club’s return to Soldier Field for the first time since a 0-0 draw in the MLS Cup playoffs against D.C. United on October 21, 2005.
Manchester United is coming off of their English record 19th league title during the 2010-11 Barclays Premier League season.
The match marks the third game of Manchester United’s North American tour. The Red Devils defeated the New England Revolution 4-1 at Gillette Stadium in Foxbrough, MA on July 13 and will visit the Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA on Wednesday, July 20 before coming to Chicago.
ROONEY, FERDINAND AND NANI HIGHLIGHT MANCHESTER UNITED’S ROSTER FOR GAMES IN THE U.S.
English Premier League champion Manchester United announced its provisional travel roster for their five-game tour of the United States this summer, which includes the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, their participation in the Herbalife World Football Challenge 2011 – including the Chicago Fire – Manchester United match at Soldier Field on Saturday, July 23 at 4:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2) – and an international match against the Seattle Sounders FC.
MANCHASTER UNITED TOUR ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Ben Amos (ENG), David de Gea (ESP)*, Sam Johnston (ENG), Andres Lindegaard (DEN)
DEFENDERS: Fabio Da Silva (BRA), Rafael Da Silva (BRA), Jonny Evans (NIR), Patrice Evra (FRA), Rio Ferdinand (ENG), Phil Jones (ENG)*, Chris Smalling (ENG)*, Nemanja Vidic (SRB)
MIDFIELDERS: Anderson (BRA), Michael Carrick (ENG), Tom Cleverley (ENG)*, Ryan Giggs (WAL), Nani (POR), Gabriel Obertan (FRA), Ji-Sung Park (KOR)
FORWARDS: Dimitar Berbatov (BUL), Mame Biram Diouf (SEN), Javier Hernandez (MEX)*, Federico Macheda (ITA), Michael Owen (ENG), Wayne Rooney (ENG), Danny Welbeck (ENG)*, Ashley Young (ENG)
MANAGER: Sir Alex Ferguson
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports You can follow him on Twitter