Chelsea USA tour 2024: Schedule, tickets, stadiums and more

The Blues are back in the United States this summer

For the second straight year, Chelsea will conduct a preseason tour of the United States.

After playing five games in the U.S. last summer, the Blues will return this summer ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Chelsea has announced three matches so far against three very different opponents, with Wrexham, Celtic and Club América on the agenda. The match against Celtic will be an especially major occasion, taking place at the iconic Notre Dame Stadium.

Here are the fixtures that have been announced so far for Chelsea’s summer tour of the United States, including information on purchasing tickets.

Chelsea USA tour 2024

July 24: Chelsea vs. Wrexham — Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA. TICKETS.

July 27: Chelsea vs. Celtic — Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN.

July 31: Chelsea vs. Club América — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA. TICKETS.

[lawrence-related id=47524,47536,47528]

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Pro Soccer Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Premier League 2023-24 top scorers: Tracking the Golden Boot race

Can anybody stop Erling Haaland from winning again?

The 2023-24 Premier League Golden Boot may be Erling Haaland’s to lose.

The Manchester City striker set a single-season Premier League goals record last season with 36, clinching the prize in his first English top-flight season.

The Norwegian’s closest challenger was Harry Kane with 30 goals, but the England striker has now moved to Bayern Munich. Ivan Toney was in third place with 20 goals, but the Brentford star is suspended for the first half of the season due to gambling.

Can anybody step up to challenge Haaland’s dominance this season? We are tracking all of the Premier League’s top scorers for the 2023-24 season right here.

All stats updated as of March 17

Turner admits he’s ‘glad VAR didn’t intervene’ on error vs. Brentford

The USMNT goalkeeper admitted his overall performance was not up to standard

Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner admitted he was lucky to escape punishment after nearly conceding a penalty when he was caught in possession against Brentford on Sunday.

With the game scoreless in the second half, Turner took too long on the ball in his box and saw Yoane Wissa win the ball with a clean challenge. The American goalkeeper was in the middle of trying to boot the ball away, and his follow-through took out the Brentford forward after he had sent the ball toward goal with his tackle.

Wissa’s shot was cleared off the line, and Turner was fortunate the incident didn’t go to a video review after he clearly hacked down the forward and got none of the ball in the process.

Christian Nørgaard gave Brentford the lead minutes later on a header Turner could have arguably saved, putting the Bees ahead just two minutes after Moussa Niakhaté was sent off for Forest.

But the 10-man home side would strike back through Nicolás Domínguez to level the match at 1-1, which would end up as the final score.

Speaking to NBC Sports after the game, Turner held his hand up — not only for his error in the Wissa incident, but also for the goal he conceded and a performance that he admitted was shaky on the whole.

“Personally it feels like two [points] dropped but at the end of the day you have to take the positives on it. I look myself in the mirror on that first goal and I know I’ve gotta be better for teammates especially in that moment right after getting the red card,” Turner said.

“For us to concede in the fashion that we did, I shoulder that burden for sure. The response was amazing, some unbelievable individual plays down the stretch. Every point is crucial in this league. It feels like two dropped, but it’s a weird one.”

The USMNT No. 1 added: “It was a terrible start for me in the second half in general. The ball was slow. I wasn’t getting it out of my feet and [Wissa] was pressing me really hard. I was a little bit worried but I tried to hold back as much as I could, because I knew he was going to win it. I’m glad VAR didn’t intervene because that would have made things go from bad to worse for me.”

“But I’m proud of myself, also because of my response the rest of the game, keeping it a one [goal conceded] and coming for some crosses late to relieve pressure.”

[lawrence-related id=29670,29663,29649]

Adams will ‘be out for some time’ after injury setback

The news doesn’t sound good at all for Adams, Bournemouth, or the USMNT

Tyler Adams may not be back after all.

Per Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, the U.S. men’s national team midfielder has suffered a setback in his return from a long-term hamstring injury.

“I don’t know what to call it, a setback, but he is not feeling well,” said Iraola in quotes published by the Bournemouth Daily Echo. “I couldn’t tell you if it’s exactly the same point, but it’s true that it’s his hamstring that he is not feeling well… It is true that he is going to be out for some time, for sure.”

After a nearly six-month battle with an injury that required surgery at one point, Adams made his Cherries debut mid-week, playing the final 20 minutes of Bournemouth’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Stoke City.

However, on Saturday the USMNT captain was not in uniform, with Iraola explaining after a 4-0 battering at the hands of Arsenal that Adams had suffered a setback.

“I think it’s the same area,” added Iraola. “He has been out for a lot of time, so we have to reassess, to reset, to take the good decisions, thinking in everything.”

Tough news for Adams, Cherries, USMNT

Adams was a big summer addition for Bournemouth, who put up a reported $25 million to bring the 24-year-old in from Leeds during the transfer window.

The Cherries have repeatedly emphasized that Adams’ ability to cover so much ground and win the ball back perfectly suits what Iraola has in mind tactically.

However, per a timeline given by the Bournemouth manager, his appearance against Stoke came after just a handful of full training sessions that only began over the past couple of weeks.

Given the amount of time Adams had been out, the results of further exams from club doctors will go a long way in indicating whether Adams has reaggravated the same injury, or if he has picked up a new knock. The latter scenario is a common one for players coming off of a long injury layoff, and may be the lesser of two evils for Adams and Bournemouth at this point.

The news is also far from ideal for the USMNT. Gregg Berhalter will have surely been looking forward to calling his captain back in for the upcoming October friendlies against Germany and Ghana.

[lawrence-related id=29302,28921,28335]

Tottenham vs. Liverpool: How to watch Premier League clash

It’s second versus fourth in the marquee Premier League matchup of the weekend

Two unbeaten sides go head to head in north London on Saturday, as Tottenham hosts Liverpool in the weekend’s marquee Premier League matchup.

Spurs are in fourth place under new coach Ange Postecoglou, who has revitalized the team even after Harry Kane’s offseason departure to Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, Liverpool look to be back to their best after a disappointing fifth-place finish last term, starting the new campaign off with five wins and a draw in their first six games.

Saturday’s game will be the second straight early-season test of Tottenham’s credentials. Spurs came out of last weekend’s north London derby with a well-earned 2-2 draw against Arsenal, as Son Heung-min netted a brace.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will come into the game full of confidence, having lost only once to Spurs in their last 20 league games.

Here is everything you need to know to watch Tottenham take on Liverpool.

How to watch Tottenham vs. Liverpool

When: Saturday, September 30

Time: 12:30 p.m. ET

Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Channel/streaming: USA Network, Universo

[lawrence-related id=29340,28329,28172]

Amid abuse allegations, Antony returns for Manchester United

Police investigations in Brazil and the UK are ongoing, and no charges have been filed at this point

Amid allegations of violence from three different women, Antony has returned to the Manchester United squad and will be available for selection.

United confirmed the decision in a statement released on Friday.

“Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has cooperated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so,” the statement read.

“As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed. This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.

“As a club we condemn acts of violence and abuse. We recognize the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”

United’s decision comes three weeks after announcing the 23-year-old would be taking a leave of absence from the team.

Antony’s former partner Gabriela Cavallin has made several allegations of abuse, which have since been followed by two more women making similar claims against the winger.

The Brazil international has denied all the accusations of abuse.

Police investigations in Brazil and the UK are ongoing, and Antony has not been arrested or charged at this point.

At a press conference on Friday, United manager Erik ten Hag insisted that the winger’s return while under police investigation would not be a distraction for his team.

“We make the statement so I refer to the statement, everything has been made clear in the statement,” Ten Hag said.

“No, I don’t think it’s a distraction. We will focus on the games. He will do as well. On Saturday, he will be back in training, so tomorrow. I have to see, but I think, yeah [he’s fit].”

[lawrence-related id=27743,29340,28172]

West Ham tops arrests table for second year running

Back-to-back arrests champions!

West Ham finished atop a table for the second straight year, but this one may not be worth celebrating.

In figures released by the UK government on Thursday, West Ham supporters finished with 89 arrests for the 2022-23 season — the most across the UK’s top five divisions.

It is, in fact, the second consecutive year that Hammers fans finished in first place, with this year’s number actually an improvement over last year’s total of 95 arrests.

Of the 89 West Ham arrests last season, 27 were for public order offenses, while 23 came for throwing missiles. Additionally, the majority (69 percent) came during home matches.

Manchester United came in second place with 83 arrests, while Leeds was third with 69. Leeds also had the biggest year-over-year increase in arrests (+25).

On the bright side, the arrest rate for fans attending matches is still exceedingly small. With a total of 2,264 of arrests last season, the rate is only 5.0 arrests per 100,000 attendees.

And then there was this fact: “There were no arrests reported in relation to women’s regulated football matches.”

Arrests by club, 2022-23 season

  1. West Ham United 89
  2. Manchester United 83
  3. Leeds United 69
  4. Manchester City 66
  5. Arsenal 51
  6. Tottenham Hotspur 51
  7. Burnley 50
  8. Leicester City 49
  9. Everton 48
  10. Birmingham City 47

[lawrence-related id=29340,28172,24654]

Aston Villa players really hate their super-sweaty jerseys

“The players look like they’ve jumped in a swimming pool after about 10 minutes”

Aston Villa’s new jerseys have reportedly become a major issue at the club, with players feeling their ultra-absorbent design is having a negative impact on their performances.

The issue can clearly be seen in any Villa game. After several minutes of play the kits, manufactured by Castore, become sopping wet as players’ sweat is soaked up.

A source told The Telegraph: “The players are having to play in soaking wet t-shirts and it is a problem that needs to be solved. It cannot go on all season. The players look like they’ve jumped in a swimming pool after about 10 minutes.”

Per The Guardian, the club has approached Castore and demanded new kits. But before any new design can arrive, this weekend will see a new issue for Villa as its women’s team begins Women’s Super League play.

“This is going to be a big problem,” pundit Jacqui Oatley told the BBC.

“They’ve got four TV games coming up,” said Oatley. “Normally they’d absolutely relish those games and look forward to them. But they’re actually dreading it because they’re really conscious about how they’re going to look in this wet, clingy kit — for obvious reasons.”

The Villa women’s team has played some of its preseason matches wearing training tops, rather than its new kits.

“You can imagine, as a female athlete, you have plenty enough to think about just being the best you can be on the football field without thinking about getting sweaty and your kit clinging to you, both from a performance aspect as it is with the men but also from an aesthetic aspect,” Oatley added.

“And, as we know, women are different specimens when it comes to our bodies and it can really affect us and how we perform if we’re constantly thinking about how we look, or a top might be clinging to our breasts and also our body shapes.

“These are genuine issues for women which you would have thought somebody would have thought through before they released this kit.”

Villa signed a multi-year deal with Castore in May 2022.

[lawrence-related id=28329,28172,24654]

Man Utd fans fly ‘Glazers Out’ banner at Tampa Bay Buccaneers game

A group of American-based supporters claimed responsibility

American-based Manchester United fans flew a “Glazers Out” banner above Raymond James Stadium before Monday night’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Glazer family owns both Manchester United and the Buccaneers, with several family members in attendance on Monday as the Bucs lost 25-11 to the Eagles in Tampa.

A group of United supporters shared video online of a plane flying the banner over Raymond James Stadium, adding that supporters groups from Pittsburgh and Tampa were behind the flyover.

The move was the latest in a years-long campaign against the Glazer family, who have grown increasingly unpopular with United supporters amid a relatively barren run for the Premier League giants.

United hasn’t won the Premier League since legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, and hasn’t won the Champions League since 2008.

This February, United won the Carabao Cup to break a streak of six years without a trophy of any kind.

United is off to a difficult start to the 2023-24 season both on and off the field. The club sits only ninth in the Premier League table and has dealt with criticism over its handling of Mason Greenwood and Antony, who have both been accused of sexual violence. Jadon Sancho is also currently away from the team amid a spat with head coach Erik ten Hag.

The Glazer family announced last November that it was considering a sale of the team but despite strong interest from British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, no sale appears to be forthcoming.

[lawrence-related id=28275,28329,27743]

USMNT captain Adams returns to training as Bournemouth debut nears

The 24-year-old’s Cherries debut is growing closer

Tyler Adams won’t make his Bournemouth debut this weekend, but he could be back as early as next week.

That is according to Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, who provided a positive update on the U.S. national team captain as he nears a return from a long-term hamstring injury.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Brighton, Iraola said the 24-year-old is back in partial training.

“I think the only one that is not [recovered] so far is Tyler, who will not be [ready] for the Brighton game, but he has started this week at least to train partially with the group,” Iraola said.

“So probably we can have a chance of having him next week or two weeks, something like this. Tyler is really close because once you start training partially with the group, it’s a matter of sensations, and if you are physically good enough.

“He has a very good physical base. So I think it will take not a long time to see Tyler with the team.”

Adams has not played since March after undergoing hamstring surgery. During his time off the pitch, the 24-year-old still completed a move from Leeds to Bournemouth, keeping him in the Premier League after the Whites were relegated last season.

Bournemouth will face Stoke on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup before a league match against Arsenal next Saturday.

[lawrence-related id=28878,28776,28709]