The European summer soccer invasion of the United States has returned for the 2015 edition with the continent's biggest teams descending on American shores to continue their pre-season preparations and play friendly matches against each other, as well as MLS and Liga MX representatives.
Top European teams like Barcelona, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica will be competing across the US in this summer's International Champions Cup. The cup is a pre-season tournament that has attracted Europe's biggest names to US shores for the past three summers.
As well as fixtures taking place in the US during the European pre-season, teams will also be heading off to countries such as China, Australia and Italy, as part of the international competition that is seen in the US as both a lucrative opportunity for clubs to promote themselves and attract new fans, as well as a chance to prepare themselves for high level competitions and integrate their newly-acquired players.
Importantly, the tournament also gives an opportunity for MLS sides to measure themselves against some of the planet's best teams. This year´s MLS representation comes from MLS champions LA Galaxy, as well as the New York Red Bulls and the San Jose Earthquakes, who will provide an insight as to how the MLS is developing.
Having already kicked off on the 11th July with LA Galaxy´s 2-1 victory over Mexican side Club America in Carson, California, Galaxy look to be the strongest MLS side in the tournament, but will face much tougher opposition on Tuesday evening at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena against European champions Barcelona. European involvement has already begun with Manchester United defeating Club America and French champions Paris Saint Germain overcoming Portuguese giants Benfica.
For those keen to attend one of the matches, tickets are available for all remaining matches and as the US national team continue to generate interest in the sport, after the US Women´s World Cup victory earlier this month, the tournament could prove a chance for soccer to continue its steady rise in the US. The tournament will see fans head out to stadiums across the country to see some of the world's biggest teams and their best players.