The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday that the Fire will welcome Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to Toyota Park in an international friendly on Saturday, July 26.
“In Chicago, the Fire proudly represents the global game,” said Chicago Fire Chief Operating Officer Atul Khosla. “Making the investment to bring a club like Spurs to Toyota Park demonstrates our continued commitment to facilitating the growth of soccer”
This is just the fifth time that the Fire will welcome an English side to the Chicagoland area. The Men in Red are 2-2-0 in international friendlies against clubs from England, including Aston Villa, Manchester United, Everton and Derby County.
Tottenham Hotspur, colloquially known as the Spurs, who currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, level with Manchester United, and three points off fourth position, are one of just two sides to advance to the Round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League with a perfect 100% record.
The North London side, who have won the FA Cup eight times and the UEFA Cup twice, currently have a roster that boasts U.S. Men’s National Team legend Brad Friedel, English internationals Jermain Defoe, Andros Townsend and Kyle Walker, Brazilian internationals Paulinho and Sandro. Tottenham Hotspur also boasts of Spanish international striker Roberto Soldado and French international captain Hugo Lloris.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the country; with regular weekly segments on NBC and Fox Sports Radio. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) and RSS Catch him Tuesdays talking Illini and Northwestern for KOZN 1620 The Zone, Fridays talking Chicago Bears for WAOR 95.7 The Fan