World Football Challenge Offers U.S. Fans of European Soccer a Unique Opportunity

American fans of European soccer will have a unique opportunity to see some amazing teams compete up close and personal this July. The World Football Challenge 2009 will take place in six cities across the United States, including Pasadena, Atlanta and Baltimore. It will feature some of Europe's best teams, including Chelsea, Milan, Inter and one of Mexico's premier clubs, Club America.

The preseason tournament will help to develop international appreciation of the clubs and give fans who aren't able to see the teams on their home soil, an opportunity to see them in the United States.

Peter Kenyon, the chief executive of Chelsea, told The New York Times,

"Broadcasting has enabled clubs to grow their international reach in terms of the number of fans. And it also brings with it the opportunity, and the demands of those fans wanting to not only travel half the world to come to Stamford Bridge, to England, but the ability to take those fans out, which really cements the relationship."

The clubs will play a round-robin tournament from July 19th through the 26th. All the games will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2, Spanish-language network ESPN Deportes and online at ESPN360.com. Courtesy of The New York Times, here is the schedule:

Sunday, July 19
Club America vs. FC Internazionale Milano at Stanford Stadium (Palo Alto, Calif.)
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Tuesday, July 21
Chelsea FC vs. FC Internazionale Milano at the Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)
11 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Wednesday, July 22
AC Milan vs. Club America at the Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Ga.)
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Friday, July 24
AC Milan vs. Chelsea FC at M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, Md.)
8 p.m. EST on ESPN

Sunday, July 26
AC Milan vs. FC Internazionale Milano at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)
5 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Sunday, July 26
Chelsea FC vs. Club America at Dallas Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2

For diehard soccer fans, "football" if you're a picky about your terms, the Challenge is a dream come true. Especially in these hard times, the chances of fans being able to head over to England or Italy just to see their favorite team play is unavoidably hard. The ability for fans to not only be able to see their favorite team, but to see them compete against some of the best clubs in the world, is a wonderful treat.

For those who live in the cities in which the tournament will be taking place, keep your eyes open. Some of the teams involved in the Challenge will be having a little friendly competition with Major League Soccer teams before their match-ups. A.C. Milan will be playing against the L.A. Galaxy on July 19th. Chelsea will play against the Sounders in Seattle before their match against Inter Milan on July 21st in Pasadena.

You can find tickets to the World Football Challenge events by going to the Challenge's official website and clicking on the match of your choice.

Adam Scime, Inter, Chelsea, and Milan Enter World Football Challenge 2009 Tournament, Goal.com

Jeffrey Marcus, Super Clubs Move In on M.L.S. This Summer, The New York Times

World Football Challenge Official Website