Chelsea vs. New York Red Bulls: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
If any competition signals the beginning of a new season, the International Champions Cup (ICC) has surely taken that particular mantle.
Hailing from the World Football Challenge (2009-2012), the past two pre-seasons have witnessed true European giants take their campaigns' first steps on North American soil. Real Madrid were the inaugural winners of the ICC in 2013, followed by Manchester United last summer.
This year, the tournament has expanded further; more heavyweights are planning to indulge spectators in four continents and seven countries over 25 days.
"The International Champions Cup starts this weekend: Our fixture list to bookmark http://t.co/1C7yB74arZ https://t.co/KAk3eeEGpN
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) July 11, 2015"
Chelsea kick off their hefty pre-season schedule vs. New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. The MLS side, which lost to Philadelphia Union on July 21 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open, will face a rapid turnaround to play England's defending champions.
Jose Mourinho's side has lost two of its greatest-ever players in Petr Cech and Didier Drogba. The Blues will play without at least one of the two legends in their squad for the first time in 12 seasons.
They were replaced by Asmir Begovic and Radamel Falcao, respectively, and only the former could appear in this particular International Champions Cup match. Interpreting how Chelsea's new generation plays without its former bastions (save John Terry) should be Mourinho's pre-eminent pre-season focus.
Date: Wednesday, July 22 (USA) / Thursday, July 23 (UK)
Time: 8 p.m. EST / 1 a.m. BST
Venue: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
TV Info: Fox Sports Plus / ESPN Deportes / Chelsea TV
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go (tape delay, 11 p.m. EST) / Chelsea TV
Form Line
| New York Red Bulls | Chelsea (from 2014/15) |
| L 1-1 Philadelphia Union (3-4 on penalties) | W 3-1 Sunderland |
| W 1-2 Orlando City | L 3-0 West Bromwich Albion |
| W 4-1 New England Revolution | D 1-1 Liverpool |
| L 2-1 Columbus Crew | W 1-0 Crystal Palace |
| W 1-3 New York City FC | W 1-3 Leicester City |
Predicted Starting XIs
| New York Red Bulls (4-3-3) | Chelsea (4-2-3-1) |
| GK: Kyle Renish | GK: Asmir Begovic |
| LB: Roy Miller | LB: Cesar Azpilicueta |
| CB: Karl Ouimette | CB: Kurt Zouma |
| CB: Matt Miagza | CB: John Terry |
| RB: Anthony Wallace | RB: Ola Aina |
| CM: Sean Davis | CDM: Nathaniel Chalobah |
| CM: Manolo Sanchez | CM: Ruben Loftus-Cheek |
| CAM: Felipe | LAM: Victor Moses |
| RW: Lloyd Sam | CAM: Oscar |
| LW: Sal Zizzo | RAM: Bertrand Traore |
| CF: Mike Grella | ST: Loic Remy |
Player to Watch: Bertrand Traore
Despite the stick Chelsea receive from sending (seemingly all) their young players to Vitesse Arnhem, the Blues may have finally produced a star in Bertrand Traore.
Unable to secure a work permit for the past two seasons, the Burkina Faso international has been patiently waiting for his second chance to shine with Mourinho and has been afforded another opportunity with Willian and Juan Cuadrado resting from their Copa America duties.
Able to play in any of the four attacking positions Chelsea offer in their 4-2-3-1, the 19-year-old southpaw has massive potential—possessing pace, skill, an eye for goal and Mourinho's all-important blessing.
The Blues' pre-season tour of the United States should be Traore's coming-out party, all commencing with New York Red Bulls.
Key Battle: Attrition
Chelsea's first game of the 2015 pre-season is against a depleted club. New York Red Bulls have players at the Gold Cup, recovering from the Gold Cup, and they played a highly competitive, 120-minute match less than 24 hours ago.
The key battle in this particular ICC match is the fitness levels of both teams.
NYRB must fight attrition, while the 2014/15 Premier League and Capital One Cup champions must shake off their summer rust. This game-within-the-game will be evident in midfield; whichever team can boss the middle of the park will have the best chance of winning.
In Mourinho's favour, he has a complete squad of world-class players and can make unlimited substitutions whenever he deems them necessary—New York Red Bulls' manager Jesse Marsch does not share that same luxury.
Prediction: New York Red Bulls 1, Chelsea 3
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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