2015 International Champions Cup

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2015 International Champions Cup POST-MATCH: SL Benfica vs New York Red Bulls

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Benfica vs. NYRBHarrison, 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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2015 International Champions Cup POST-MATCH: SL Benfica vs ACF Fiorentina

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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.  6339

2015 International Champions Cup POST-MATCH: Chelsea vs New York Red Bulls

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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, 6301