After a summer of dormancy, Miami finally awoke from it’s slumber. While locally The Miami FC took home the NPSL Championship, there have been no friendlies in the Magic City. Miami was set to miss European club friendlies for the first time since 2016. That all changed with a late addition of two European mega powers in Barcelona and Napoli.
FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi will not fly to the Miami with his team to contest two friendlies with S.S.C. Napoli after sustaining a right calf strain.
The International Champions Cup, which annually brings the top clubs of Europe to the United States for friendlies, announced its host cities for the 2019 tournament Tuesday. Conspicuously absent was Miami.
In a game in which both managers balanced youth and experience, Manchester United earned its first win of the preseason, beating Real Madrid 2-1.
Follow along as we provide in-depth coverage of tonight’s International Champions Cup match between Real Madrid and Manchester United!
Real Madrid will start its United States tour in Miami on Tuesday night, while Manchester United will be wrapping it up. Real Madrid and Manchester United, literally heading in different directions, will meet at Hard Rock Stadium on Tuesday night.
The best action of the entire International Champions Cup showcase happened last night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. In a double-header showcasing the best women’s talent in soccer PSG, Manchester City, Olympique Lyonnais, and the North Carolina Courage put on a display second to none. In a third-place match that had numerous goals, to a final that produced amazing displays of tactical abilities no other set of matches have come close.
After two fixture dates in the Miami’s International Champions Cup run, one thing has become very apparent. The women’s tournament has been holding it’s own in the shadow of the two men’s fixtures. While Real Madrid and Manchester United is the main event, it’s a shame that the women’s tournament hasn’t received the support it merits at the turnstile. The best action in this tournament has come from the North Carolina Courage and Olympique Lyonnais. The best value in this tournament comes Sunday as the two square off for the inaugural title.
International Champions Cup action continues in Miami this weekend as Manchester City face off against Bayern Munich on Saturday evening.
Both the English and German champions are expected to field weakened teams as they’ve already done in the tournament, with several key players still on vacation following the World Cup.
The House of Soccer event kicked off Friday afternoon in an effort to unite the soccer culture of the Magic City. Located at Mana in Wynwood, the world’s greatest players (american football as well) took the field in a small sided showcase. If that 5-on-5 action wasn’t compelling enough there were four trophies on hand for photo opportunities.