Soccer isn’t close to being finished in the USA… with Chelsea to join Arsenal, Man United arriving

The Premier League season came to a close on yet another frantic championship Sunday and while the globe’s most entertaining league has come to an end, those very teams are set to light up the United States this summer. 

Sunday was a trying day for supporters of US soccer with partially-American owned Leeds United descending to Tier 2. 

In doing so, its American triumvirate of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Brenden Aaronson could all leave the club, or indeed the league itself. 

McKennie was showered with taunts of ‘you fat b*****d’ following the Whites’ relegation. He will be returning to parent club Juventus while reports have linked Adams with a move to Manchester United and other clubs on the continent. 

The trio will be likely involved with the USMNT this summer in what promises to be an exciting few months – domestically and internationally – for the burgeoning soccer country.

Here, Mail Sport explains why there are plenty of reasons to be excited.

Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson (C) and Tyler Adams (R) could play for USMNT in June

Christian Pulisic will put another difficult campaign with Chelsea behind him this summer

Boehly’s Blues… and a new boss 

Todd Boehly’s presently turbulent Chelsea is making a trip across the Atlantic for several games through July and August. 

After firing Thomas Tuchel on September 7, the Blues fell into an even larger hole, first under Graham Potter and then under the tenure of club great, Frank Lampard. A 1-1 tie with Newcastle condemned the six-time champion to a 12th-place finish in the Premier League. 

On Monday, American owner Boehly officially changed the course of the club hiring esteemed ex-Tottenham boss, Mauricio Pochettino Monday — a day after the Blues’ worst end-of-season positioning since the 1993-94 season.

Chelsea will first travel to Chapel Hill, NC., once the home of Michael Jordan, to play Wrexham before trips to Atlanta, Landover MD., Philadelphia and Chicago to face off against Newcastle, Fulham, Brighton and Borussia Dortmund respectively. 

It will be the club’s first ever preseason tour of the United States. Naturally, it comes in Chelsea’s first full summer under Boehly’s – a DC native – ownership. 

Chelsea’s American owner Todd Boehly is sending the club on its first preseason tour of the US

The Blues will play their first friendly at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC. vs. Wrexham 

Manchester United vs. Arsenal 

Against the backdrop of New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium two titans of the English game will play on Saturday, July 22.

While Mikel Arteta’s squad will arrive in East Rutherford without a trophy, Erik ten Hag’s team could be FA Cup winners by the time they step inside the Sunday home of the New York Giants and Jets. 

Arsenal will also travel to Washington DC and Inglewood for a game against the Wayne Rooney-coached MLS All-Star team and Barcelona, respectively.

Manchester United has other plans of its own across the US and is heading to San Diego to play Wrexham on July 25. That is followed by two more games in the States; vs. Real Madrid and Dortmund in Houston and Las Vegas respectively.

Arsenal and Manchester United played out two frenetic games in Premier League in 2022-23

The English giants will face off against each other in Jersey before other trips around the US

Premier League Summer Series 

Chelsea will be joined by Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton and Fulham for the ‘Summer Series’ that will run from July 22-30.

The six Premier League teams will be exclusively played on the east coast. Initially, Leeds United were scheduled to be part of the sextet before fears of relegation resulted in Fulham replacing the now Championship-bound club. 

USMNT star Tim Ream should be present with the Whites when they play in Philadelphia, Orlando and Landover. 

Atlanta – who host two games – and Harrison, NJ. are the other locales where the English clubs will partake in friendlies. Philadelphia is hosting three games  compared to Landover’s two and Orlando’s sole fixture. 

USA fans will have the opportunity to see the familiar faces of national team right back, Antonee Robinson for Fulham and ex-Atlanta star, Miguel Almiron for Newcastle.

US soccer fans will get to see the familiar faces of Tim Ream (L), Antonee Robinson (CL) for Fulham and ex-Atlanta United superstar Miguel Almiron (R) for the UCL-bound Newcastle 

The home of the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles will be utilized for three PL friendly games

North Carolina’s ‘The Soccer Tournament’

As if the Chapel Hill game between Chelsea and Wrexham wasn’t enough, those in The Tarheel State will have another opportunity to watch the Tier 4 club owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. 

The Welsh club will partake in a 32-team tournament with three ‘group stage’ games – similar in format to the World Cup. Winners of the tournament will split a cash prize of one million dollars. 

Joining them will be Borussia Dortmund, West Ham, Wolves, in addition to Team Dempsey — a team naturally spearheaded by retired USMNT legend, Clint. 

The five-day event will take place at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Teams arrive May 31 with the $1m championship to take place on June 4.

Ryan Reynolds (R) and Rob McElhenney (L) have boosted Wrexham’s popularity

The Welsh side were promoted from the National League to League Two after winning the title

USMNT Fixtures 

Despite there still being uncertainty as to the future coach of the US Men’s National Team, optimism should reign ahead of the team’s upcoming slate. 

Next up for the Stars and Stripes is the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal vs. arch rival Mexico on June 15 at Allegiant Stadium. 

Regardless of the result, the US will play again at the same venue on June 18; either in the third place play-off or the final. 

Following the Nations League, Christian Pulisic and Co. have three Gold Cup group stage games to play in June and July. First will be Jamaica at Chicago’s Soldier Field on June 24.

Presuming progression, the US could play all the way up until July 16, the date of the final; to be held at Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium. 

McKennie will likely have an opportunity to resurrect his form for the USMNT vs. the Mexicans

Europe’s Elite 

Beyond the Premier League, Americans have long maintained an interest in some of Europe’s top leagues; including LaLiga and the Bundesliga, both of whom are represented in America this summer. 

Of course, Borussia Dortmund will play in North Carolina and Las Vegas, plus a game vs. Chelsea at Soldier Field. 

It will be the club’s fourth trip to the land of the free, with the most recent voyage back in 2019. 

Joining them Stateside are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Real Betis. The latter four will also play a game each in Mexico. 

There will be an Italian flavor in the US too, with Champions League semifinalists AC Milan and Juventus making a trip to the west coast. 

Barcelona and Real Madrid will both play four games as part of the Champions Tour series

Italian super clubs, AC Milan and Juventus will be Stateside and play against the LaLiga giants