ForeverInLoveWithJus

This is an interesting pre season tournament in America. Here is a thread for it!

Match Schedule:

Monday, 7/26/04 ChampionsWorld Series 2004 Celtic vs. Liverpool »
Wednesday, 7/28/04 ChampionsWorld Series 2004 Manchester United vs. Celtic »
Thursday, 7/29/04 ChampionsWorld Series 2004 Chelsea vs. AS Roma »
Friday, 7/30/04 ChampionsWorld Series 2004 FC Porto vs. Liverpool »
Saturday, 7/31/04 ChampionsWorld Series 2004 Manchester United vs. AC Milan »
Saturday, 7/31/04 ChampionsWorld Series 2004 Celtic vs. AS Roma »
Sunday, 8/1/04 ChampionsWorld Series 2004 FC Porto vs. Galatasaray »
Monday, 8/2/04 ChampionsWorld Series 2004 AC Milan vs. Chelsea »
Tuesday, 8/3/04 ChampionsWorld Series 2004 AS Roma vs. Liverpool »

PastyHusty

I heard on Sky Sports news that there was going to be 11 matches in the series. I know Celtic and Chelsea played last night, 4-2 to Chelsea! Kezman got two of the goals. I wonder who's playing tonight.

Riapanonias

i just saw that today, some comercial that is.. also about other cups.. i am sure to watch those

PastyHusty

Ah Ha! I just found out what last night's match was. Manchester United .v. Bayern Munich. The game finished goalless, with United fielding a weakened side - Keane, Bellion and Smith were the only big names among the starting line-up, but O'Shea did come on as a substitute later. Jonathan Specter showed great potential in the center of defense for United. Hopefully he'll be a great player for the future. As for the match itself, the result was decided by a penalty shoot-out, which was won 4-2 by Bayern Munich.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

I knew it was Bayern and United, Its a great chance for the youngsters!

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Here is a good interview with Jonathan Spector:

At the time of year that most guys his age are trying decide which beach to cruise this weekend, or what to do now that Lollapalooza’s been cancelled, eighteen-year-old Jonathan Spector’s got a bit more going on. He’s got to pack his bags to travel across the Atlantic along with his teammates as a member of Manchester United’s traveling squad for the 2004 ChampionsWorld Series. Spector took a few minutes away from putting his luggage together on the eve of his flight into Philadelphia (the training base of United on the tour and site of the July 28th match against Celtic) to talk about his maiden journey overseas with The Red Devils.

"Yeah, this is a great opportunity for me," Spector says with a calmness in his voice belying the excitement he’s obviously in the middle of. "The chance to travel with the team and walk out on the field at home is an honor." When asked about his chances of actually seeing some playing time while he’s on this side of the pond, the central defender replied, "I don’t really expect anything. If it happens, then that’s great, but I’m just happy to be named to the squad".

The Arlington Heights, Illinois native is particularly excited about United’s first match, against Bayern Munich at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 25th. Possibly even more excited is Jonathan’s father, Art, who’ll be making the short drive from home with hopes of his son making an appearance during the game. "It would be great to see Jonathan out there in front of his family and friends. We’re planning on being at all three games Man U plays here in the States, but the Chicago game will be special. We can’t wait."

Spector’s no stranger to long-distance travel, as a longtime member of the United States National U-17 and U-20 Teams he’s traveled more air miles than most people three times his age. How does a young international star on the rise kill time on the plane? "I listen to all kinds of music…anything from new stuff to Frank Sinatra" he says. His affinity for Ol’ Blue Eyes is not the only old-school thing about Spector…"I use a portable CD player. I’ve got an MP3 player but haven’t got around to figuring out how to work it!". His team will be playing near Sinatra’s old stomping when they meet AC Milan at Giants Stadium on July 31.

As far as fitting in as one of the few Americans on a team filled with some of the greatest players from around the world, Spector says his teammates make it easy for him. "Everyone on the team has been friendly. There really isn’t any attitude. It’s never really been uncomfortable". And is he pals with probably the highest-profile American soccer player ever, Manchester United goalie Tim Howard? "Tim’s been great to me, he’s always available. He even had (United reserve striker and fellow American) Kenny Cooper and I over to his place to watch some NFL playoffs". Surely Spector is aware of the impact Howard’s appearances in last year’s ChampionsWorld Series had in turning the ‘keeper from Jersey into a member of last season’s English Premier League Team Of The Year, a squad also featuring names like Henry, Lampard, Viera, Pires, and van Nistelrooy. "It was a great opportunity for Tim last year, and I’m glad to be coming over this year", Spector says.

Should Manchester United Coach Sir Alex Ferguson call for Spector to make his debut appearance with the first team for in front of an American crowd, it’s not hard to predict that the noise from the packed stadium will be deafening. And as Ferguson’s "no-lineup-is-set-in-stone" style of management has remained steady in his 17 previous seasons with United, there’s no reason to not believe that these three games on home soil might be just what Spector needs to ingratiate himself into top-flight English soccer.

PastyHusty

Liverpool 5-1 Celtic
Not such a great pre-season tournament for Celtic, but I don't think they were playing many big names. One thing to note for Liverpool is that new signing Cisse scored twice after being brought on at half-time.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Celtic striker Beattie scored once again, Lets hope he can carry on this good form!

Riapanonias

Lets also hope that all the other players come in better form

ForeverInLoveWithJus

Why what is wrong with Celtic and Beattie? Thats a really stupid comment to make in my opinion.