considering the time, i guess it's actually starting later today.

i know there's nothing riding on these games...but they're fun to watch and i'm just glad Fox Sports World is covering the tour again. In last year's tour, Howard's performance in goal for Man U was what really caught everyone's attention and led to him getting the starting role. It'll be interesting to see what other young players will step up.

EDIT - First game is Celtic vs. Chelsea. but the first game i'll probably see is Man U vs. Bayern Munich on Sunday from Chicago

[This message has been edited by sixiron (edited 7/24/2004 12:43a).]

Word is Fergie is gonna give Spector a lot of time in the back during the US tour. What a great thing that would be for Spector and American soccer if he can earn 1st team time for the EPL

well the celtic/chelsea match yesterday had some good action but the first half of the Man U/Bayern match was pretty dull. lots of youngins started for United. only 2-3 shots for both sides. hopefully the second half will be better.

EDIT: nope, the 2nd half was just as lacking. had to end in PK's with Kahn saving two to finally show some action.

Next up: Celtic vs. Liverpool on Monday.

[This message has been edited by sixiron (edited 7/25/2004 5:27p).]

The Bayern/ManU game today might have been the dullest soccer match I've ever watched. I understand why Sir Alex is resting his big players after Euro 2004, but the goal of ChampionsWorld (drawing American attention to the game) will never be met if the matches are boring.

That said, Celtic/Liverpool should be a great game tomorrow -- they're far more evenly matched than Celtic/Chelsea -- and AC Milan/ManU ought to be a good one, as well.

Yeah I almost fell asleep during the ManU/Bayern match. Ferguson was giving a lot of the Euro 2004 players extra rest but I believe that RVN, Saha, and others will be around for the next two matches. Also I'd expect for Howard to play all of one of the next two matches and at least 1/2 of the other.

I had a great time in Seattle! Watching Chelsea quiet a bunch of Celtic fans made it even better. Kezman, Smertin and Gudjohnsen each had brilliant finishes (Kezman twice). I can't imagine what Drogba will add. Ricardo Carvalho should tighten up the hole in the defense. It's great to be BLUE!

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yes, Chelsea looked really good in that game. they'll surely be a contender in the EPL next season.

Gudjohnsen is turning into one of my favorite players to watch. The Drogba acquisition is markedly bittersweet: on the one hand, I'll get to watch him more since far more EPL games make it to the American airwaves than French league; on the other hand, they stole him from Marseille, my favorite squad ever.

Here's a good pic of Smertin shooting against Celtic:



This guy is gonna help Chelsea, also:



[This message has been edited by BBRex (edited 7/28/2004 9:12p).]

Man U is just kinda going through the motions, letting the yound kids get a taste. I am a bit disappointed in that. If the intent of this is to excite the American audience (which is the largest, most profitable market in the world) then Man U is going about this all wrong. Of course they open the EPL season Ausust 15 against Chelsea so this is not really important to them.

All in all, I think the EPL is going to be highly competitive this year. Arsenal is losing Viera and that is going to hurt, Chelsea is improving, Manchester United gets Ferdinand back to shore up their defense and Liverpool is going to be improved by default just becuase they fired their pathetic coach. Newcastle strenghtened themselves as did Middlesborough. Of course the last two certainly won't contend for the title.

I see it as Man U first (I hav eon my biased glasses) followed by Arsenal.

Scholes and Silvestre are being called in for the Milan game. I thought the other big names were going to make an appearance at some point but I guess not. You can't blame ManU for giving their Euro players more rest before the start of the season...especially since that first game will be very important since its against Chelsea.

I was thoroughly impressed with Liverpool. Chelsea looked strong as well but in the end, I think Aresenal are still the team to beat (even without Viera). I've always had a spot in my heart for Newcastle and I'll be interested to see how a Shearer/Kluivert tandem does up front.

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Man U is just kinda going through the motions, letting the yound kids get a taste. I am a bit disappointed in that. If the intent of this is to excite the American audience (which is the largest, most profitable market in the world) then Man U is going about this all wrong. Of course they open the EPL season Ausust 15 against Chelsea so this is not really important to them.

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If I was a ManU fan and had paid money to fly to Chicago or where ever then paid for tickets to the match only to see scrubs give a less-than-stellar performance, I'd be mad. They could send some of the stars on as subs or take 'em out early or something. I got to see Terry, Lampard, Cole, Kezman and more play for Chelsea. They might not have given their best performances, but they played well and I was able to see them on the pitch without having to go to Stamford Bridge.

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as far as I know...and from what soccernet.com is reporting, Viera has not left Arsenal yet. Wenger thinks he'll stay. i'm not saying he won't leave...but it's not like it's already happened.

however, Nicky Butt is leaving ManU for Newcastle, which could help Newcastle get back to the top part of the table. should be another great season to watch!

edit:
BBRex - yes that would have made me pretty upset as well. Before the tourney began, the ManU/Bayern match was the one I would have chosen to go to. I'm really glad I didn't.

[This message has been edited by sixiron (edited 7/29/2004 4:33p).]

The ManU/B. Munich match was horrible.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=305808&cc=5901

Fergie plans to start a stronger side against AC Milan.

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England midfielder Paul Scholes and France defender Mikael Silvestre are likely to play their first games in the ChampionsWorld Series.

Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Alan Smith as well as Gary and Phil Neville have also been pencilled in for the final match of the tour.

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After hearing that Kezman might miss three games because of the red card last night after a fight with Dacourt, I understand a little better why a club might not field its best side.

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Is this thing working? Heeeelllllooo.....Am I invisible?

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Scholes and Silvestre are being called in for the Milan game

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So does anyone think there is a chance Carroll will beat out Howard? I mean I hope Howard wins it and given that he finished up the end of the season, he probably will but I do have concerns.

Another question for you guys. Do you see Spector getting loaned out this season? Personally I think it makes sense as he's too young for ManU to play him but I bet there are a few First Division teams that wouldn't mind having him.

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as far as I know...and from what soccernet.com is reporting, Viera has not left Arsenal yet. Wenger thinks he'll stay. i'm not saying he won't leave...but it's not like it's already happened.

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According to the press, he was leaving in 2001. And then in 2002. And then in 2003. And now in 2004. He's still there, so until it's official, I won't believe a word of it.

Liverpool and Porto are at halftime right now. No goals, but pretty good game so far.

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He's still there, so until it's official, I won't believe a word of it.

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exactly.

ok, NOW he's gone.