Club America vs. Benfica: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and 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 ICC has witnessed true European giants take their campaigns' first steps on North American and Asian soil the last two pre-seasons. Real Madrid were the inaugural winners of the cup in 2013, followed by Manchester United last summer.
This year, the tournament has expanded further, as more heavyweights indulged 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"
Club America and SL Benfica have played a collective six games thus far in the ICC—they have just one combined win.
Rounding their pre-season schedules at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, both clubs have a final chance to end their 2015 exhibition season in style.
Having already started their season in Liga MX with a loss at Pachuca, the home side have every incentive to find a rhythm before their next league outing, while defending Portuguese champions, Benfica, would certainly enjoy their first victory since the 2014/15 campaign closed.
Date: Tuesday, July 28 (USA) / Wednesday, July 29 (UK)
Time: 10 p.m. EST / 3 a.m. BST
Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
TV Info: Fox Sports 2 / ESPN Deportes / Sky Sports 1 (tape delay)
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go / Sky Go (live)
Form Table
| Club America | SL Benfica |
| L 4-2 Puebla | L 1-2 New York Red Bulls |
| L 0-1 Manchester United | L 0-0 Fiorentina (4-5 on penalties) |
| W 1-2 San Jose Earthquakes | L 2-3 Paris Saint-Germain |
| L 2-1 Los Angeles Galaxy | W 2-1 Maritimo |
| L 3-4 Pachuca | W 4-1 Maritimo |
Projected Starting XIs
| Club America (4-4-2) | SL Benfica (4-3-3) |
| G: Hugo Gonzalez | G: Julio Cesar |
| D: Luis Pineda | D: Lisandro Lopez |
| D: Jonathan Hernandez | D: Luisao |
| D: Bryan Colula | D: Jardel |
| D: Osmar Mares | D: Silvio |
| M: Adrian Lugo | M: Ola John |
| M: Alfonso Sanchez | M: Lubomir Fejsa |
| M: Osvaldo Martínez | M: Pizzi |
| M: Francisco Rivera | F: Nicolas Gaitain |
| F: Alejandro Díaz | F: Jonas |
| F: Darwin Quintero | F: Anderson Talisca |
Player to Watch: Julio Cesar
Benfica have several goalkeeping options, but none are more experienced than Brazilian international Julio Cesar.
Having received 87 caps from his country at the senior level, and played in five countries professionally, the now-35-year-old shot-stopper will need all his guile vs. Club America.
Benfica, during the International Champions Cup, have conceded five goals in three matches, and they will likely need a clean sheet to beat the CONCACAF Champions League winners in their own stadium. The first step is leaning on their veteran goalkeeper for timely saves and a commanding presence in his 18-yard box.
Key Battle: Benfica vs. Club America's Pace and Altitude
Positioned 7,400 feet above sea level, in smog, and able to house over 90,000 rabid supporters, the Estadio Azteca is one of the most formidable home-field advantages in sport—much less football.
The altitude and summer weather conditions will test Benfica to their limits, and should they overcome the setting, the Portuguese must then contend with arguably the best footballing side in North America. Deadly on the counter-attack, especially when running at the weary legs of drained opponents, America can tear clubs apart.
Benfica's main task is controlling the game with possession, not losing the ball cheaply and being clinical with the scarce chances the Azteca lends its visitors.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
.jpg?w=600 "Offseason Moves for Every Team 👉")
.png?w=600 "New NBA Mock Draft 📝")
