Harrison, New Jersey
Portuguese champions Benfica lost to the New York Red Bulls by a score of 2-1 tonight. This is Benfica’s third straight loss in the preseason International Champions Cup, after losing to PSG and Fiorentina.
Benfica manager Rui Vitória opted for a completely new starting eleven, handing Ederson his first opportunity in goal and Nelson Semedo the right full-back spot, and finally giving Benfica fans an opportunity to see their team’s star signing Adel Taarabt in action. Taarabt’s lack of action prior to tonight had raised questions about his relationship with his new manager.
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East Hartford, Connecticut
Portuguese Champions Benfica faced off against Italian side Fiorentina in the 2015 Guinness International Champions Cup.
This match was anything but friendly; a red card, numerous yellows, and several bone-crunching tackles made it appear as though the two sides were meeting in a Champions League playoff match instead of a preseason friendly. (more…)
Harrison, New Jersey
The New York Red Bulls beat Premier League champions Chelsea 4-2 in front of a packed house, with 24,076 in attendance. As pre-season friendlies usually go, this match was a tale of two halves; Chelsea controlled the tempo in the first, though they failed to capitalize on numerous occasions, whereas the second half provided more open entertainment.
With Hazard, Diego Costa and John Terry on the bench, Chelsea commanded the field in the first half, (more…)
Foxborough, Massachusetts
In the second game of a CONCACAF Gold Cup doubleheader, the United States took on a relatively unknown Haiti team in their second game of the group stage.
The United States won 1-0, but had to fight a very difficult battle against a very tough opponent. Though the United States tried to control the tempo of this match, the better goal opportunities fell to the Haitian team, especially in the first half.
It was another record-breaking evening for American Football; the 46,720 fans in attendance marked the highest attendance for a CONCACAF Gold Cup match in the United States. And what a night it was! Entire families in the stands, rooting for the Red, White and Blue. The electric atmosphere in the stands matched the anticipation outside the venue at Gillette Stadium. (more…)
Foxborough, Massachusetts
On the first game of a CONCACAF Gold Cup doubleheader, Honduras took on Panama in the second game of the group stage. The conditions were perfect for football: clear skies, 79 degrees, but with a nice cool breeze. The 20,000 or so fans in the stands watched a good match, with plenty of drama until the very end.
Panama led 1-0 at the half, but Honduras earned a penalty in the dying moments of the match, and ended up tying the game, leaving the group wide open for the knockout stage.
The final score: Honduras 1 – Panama 1
Harrison, New Jersey
