MLS Friendlies: LA Galaxy To Play Manchester City

West Brom is one of the oldest clubs in England, drawing their history back to 1878 and are a founding member of the Football League. Most of that time has been spent in the first division, although they have moved between the EPL and Championship in recent years. They have won the FA Cup five times. West Brom currently sits 13th in the EPL table

Among the notable players that are expected to make the trip are Peter Odemwingie, who has scored 15 goals this season. The squad also includes midfielder Steven Reid, who played Ireland in the 2002 World Cup, captain Chris Brunt and Swedish international defender Jonas Olsson.

The Galaxy full season seat holders will be eligible for a special presale prior to the public on sale. Real Madrid’s remaining World Football Challenge games will be announced at a later date.

The Philadelphia Union will meet EPL side Everton in a July 20 friendly at PPL Park, the team announced on Wednesday. Brotherly Game, SB Nation’s Union blog, first reported on rumors of the visit last week.

Since leaving the Dynamo, Holden has become a mainstay with the United States National Team, earning 17 caps and scoring a pair of goals. He was also among the 23 players selected to the U.S. World Cup team. He has made 28 appearances with Bolton and has been a starter, for the most part, when healthy.

Bolton doesn’t have a lot of big-name players, but they do have plenty of history. They are a founding member of the Football League and date their history back to 1874. They currently sit eighth in the English Premier League table and have a decent shot at making the Europa tournament.

The big-name MLS summer friendly has become a staple of the league. Just about every team has at least one every year. Recently, though, there’s been a bit of a backlash against these games. Eighty-Six Forever, the SB Nation Vancouver Whitecaps blog, may be new to MLS, but already could do without the tradition. They are not exactly excited about the prospect of putting the pursuit of the MLS playoffs on hold for a game against Manchester City:

“Vancouver is a great soccer city with a new MLS side and passionate supporters of the game,” Manchester City Chief Executive Garry Cook said in a Whitecaps release. “We already have a history with the Whitecaps, having played them in 1980 and 1981 at Empire Stadium. They won both matches in fine style and it will be our challenge to try to overturn those results. So it promises to be a fantastic occasion.”

The WFC will feature at least three MLS teams, as well as Manchester United and FC Barcelona. In past incarnations, it was played as an actual tournament, but not format has been announced as of yet.

While neither of the Timbers’ friendly opponents have the cachet of the bigger clubs from England, Spain or Italy they’re both very attractive opponents in their own right, Ajax having won five European championships and 29 Eredivisie titles. Club América are likely the bigger draw (though Portland should have little trouble selling out either match) with a massive fan base spread across North America and a history that includes 14 Mexican Primera Division titles. They currently sit in second place in their group in the Clausura, behind first place Atlante on goal difference.

“We are pleased once again to bring top-flight international soccer right here to Columbus and to provide the best competitive challenge for our team,” said Crew President & General Manager Mark McCullers in a team release. “The English Premier League is arguably the best league in the world and Newcastle United is one of its most storied clubs.”

Newcastle is among the better supported teams in the EPL and has a loyal following in the United States. After being relegated to the Championship, they have now returned to the top division and sit ninth in the table, just two points out of a possible Europa League spot. Among the players they are expected to bring on the tour are Cheik Tote, Fabricio Collocini and Jonas Gutierrez.

Among the teams that will help break in Sporting Kansas City’s net-yet-opened Livestrong Sporting Park this summer will apparently be Newcastle United. There has been no official statement, but SKC owner Robb Heinemann tweeted the news Monday afternoon. It seems safe to say that if the owner says it is happening, it probably is.

Heinemann did not release any other details, like when, exactly the friendly might be played. The Magpies will almost certainly schedule other dates, as it is exceedingly rare for European teams to play stand-alone games in the United States. Earlier in the day, Manchester United was announced as the MLS All-Stars opponent.

Coming off a year in which they were one of the worst statistical teams in MLS history, DC United is pulling out all the stops to woo fans back to RFK Stadium. With a friendly against Ajax already announced, a resounding win in their opener already in the books, DC United has now announced that Everton will also be paying a visit this summer. United will play the EPL side, which features United States National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard, on July 23. The team also has a third “special event” planned for season-ticket holders.

“D.C. United takes pride in measuring our club against the best clubs worldwide,” United President & CEO Kevin Payne said in a team release. “In Everton, we have yet another world-class opponent visiting RFK Stadium. Our respect for their organization is deep and we look forward to hosting them this summer.”

“We’re excited to kick off our 2011 schedule of international games with one of the most honored teams in European soccer, Ajax of Amsterdam,” United President and CEO Kevin Payne said in a team release. “This match will be the first of several matches this season featuring top quality European opponents and we’re pleased that our season ticket holders will have the opportunity to attend each of these matches as a part of their package.”

Historically, Ajax has been of the top clubs in Europe. They have won four European championships, most recently in 1995 and are known for a free-flowing style of play. Among the notable players that currently play for Ajax are Mounir El Hamdaoui, Siem De Jong and Gregory van der Wiel.