As it turns out, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea may the first team David Beckham faces following his departure from Real Madrid to the L.A. Galaxy. ESPN Soccernet reports that the Sky Blues have agreed to play the Galaxy on July 21 as part of a four-team tournament in the United States, which also is reported to include Mexico’s Tigres and the Korean side Suwon Bluewings. (Details of Chelsea’s games in the USA were to be announced at a press conference in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon.) The timing is hardly convenient for the MLS club, which will be in midseason and also involved in the SuperLiga when the round-robin tournament starts.
The reported competition has been given the very American-sounding name, “the World Series of Soccer”, and is the first venture from the strategic alliance forged between Chelsea and Anschutz Entertainment Group 12 months ago. Incidentally, the Korean team is owned by Chelsea sponsor Samsung-their inclusion in the tournament would also not be an accident. Matches are reported to be played at the Galaxy’s Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
“We are very happy that we are going back to the US for pre-season and we have done it every year since my arrival,” said Mourinho. “The facilities are very good and the people very well organized giving us the best conditions to prepare for this important work.”