Schedule of soccer friendlies in US this summer

One of the highlights of the annual soccer calendar is looking to see which international and club soccer teams are heading to the United States to play exhibition matches on US soil every summer. If you’re looking for the schedule of soccer friendlies in the US, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll be updating […]

One of the highlights of the annual soccer calendar is looking to see which international and club soccer teams are heading to the United States to play exhibition matches on US soil every summer. If you’re looking for the schedule of soccer friendlies in the US, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ll be updating the following soccer friendlies schedule as soon as the details break, so go ahead and bookmark the page and keep on returning to find out all of the details you need.

Upcoming friendly matches

Which teams are coming to your state? Browse the schedule of upcoming preseason soccer games in the USA below. Plus, we’ve included links so you can find tickets. There is nothing like seeing your favorite stars up close and in person.

All times Eastern United States

May 2024

Mexico vs Bolivia – May 31, 8 PM – Chicago, IL: Tickets

June 2024

USWNT vs South Korea – June 1, 3 PM – Commerce City, CO: Tickets

USWNT vs South Korea – June 4, 6 PM – St Paul, MN: Tickets

Mexico vs Uruguay – June 5, 7 PM – Denver, CO: Tickets

USA vs Colombia – June 8, 5:30 PM – Landover, MD: Tickets

Mexico vs Brazil – June 8, time TBD – College Station, TX: Tickets

Argentina vs Ecuador – June 9, 6 PM – Chicago, IL: Tickets

USA vs Brazil – June 12, 7 PM – Orlando, FL: Tickets

Argentina vs Guatemala – June 14, 8 PM – Landover, MD: Tickets

Detroit City vs Pumas – June 22, 7 PM – Detroit, MI: Tickets

July 2024

USWNT vs Mexico WNT – July 13, 3:30 PM – Harrison, NJ: Tickets

DC United vs Celtic – July 20, 7:30 PM – Washington DC: Tickets

Bournemouth vs Wrexham – July 20, 7 PM – Santa Barbara, CA: Tickets

Manchester City vs Celtic – July 23, time TBD – Chapel Hill; Tickets

Chelsea vs Wrexham – July 24, time TBD – Santa Clara, CA: Tickets

MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All Stars – July 24, 8 PM – Columbus, OH: Tickets

Liverpool vs Real Betis – July 26, 7:30 PM – Pittsburgh, PA: Tickets

Chelsea vs Celtic – July 27, 10 AM – South Bend, IN: Tickets

Manchester City vs Milan – July 27, time TBD – New York, NY: Tickets

Vancouver vs Wrexham – July 27, 7:30 PM – Vancouver: Tickets

Columbus vs Aston Villa – July 27, 8 PM – Columbus, OH: Tickets

Arsenal vs Manchester United – July 27, 5 PM – Inglewood, CA: Tickets

Louisville City vs Eintracht Frankfurt – July 30, Noon – Tickets TBD

Manchester City vs Barcelona – July 30, time TBD – Orlando, CA: Tickets

Manchester United vs Real Betis – July 31, time TBD – San Diego, CA: Tickets

Arsenal vs Liverpool – July 31, 7 PM – Philadelphia, PA: Tickets

Chelsea vs Club America – July 31, 7 PM – Atlanta, GA: Tickets

Real Madrid vs AC Milan – July 31, time TBD – Chicago, IL: Tickets

Aston Villa vs RB Leipzig – July 31, time TBD – Harrison, NJ: Tickets TBD

August 2024

Man United vs Liverpool – August 3, 7:30 PM – Columbia, SC: Tickets

Real Madrid vs Barcelona – August 3, time TBD – East Rutherford, NJ: Tickets

Manchester City vs Chelsea – August 3, time TBD – Columbus, OH: Tickets

Club America vs Aston Villa – August 3, 6:30 PM – Chicago, IL: Tickets

Barcelona vs AC Milan – August 6, time TBD – Baltimore, MD – Tickets

Real Madrid vs Chelsea – August 6, time TBD – Charlotte, NC – Tickets

September 2024

Mexico vs New Zealand – Sept. 7, time TBD – Pasadena, CA: Tickets

Note: World Soccer Talk readers can get $20 off your first ticket purchase with Vivid Seats when you use promo code SOCCER20.

How can I watch these soccer friendlies if I can’t attend in person?

If tickets are not your aim, many of these friendlies are still available via streaming or even on TV. For example, in the past, MLS All-Star Games aired on ESPN or FOX. Now that Apple has the MLS streaming rights, the MLS All-Star Game is available via MLS Season Pass. Other games are available via TV.

The full streaming schedule for the list of summer friendlies will be available on the full schedule of soccer games as those dates near.

How do these friendlies differ from other soccer matches in terms of rules and gameplay?

The main thing is that there is nothing of note on the line. For some, there are bragging rights. American-centric soccer fans would like to see the best of MLS compete against one of England’s top sides. Likewise, if there is ever a derby, there can be some international bragging rights, like Barcelona over Real Madrid based on USA friendlies.

Therefore, the gameplay is tamer than what some fans may be used to. Players are not diving into challenges or putting their bodies on the line as much as they would in a league or cup game during the proper season.

In terms of rules, there are some changes as well. One of the main ones is the lack of a limit on substitutions. Teams, particularly those out of Europe, want to interchange players to allow everyone to get some preseason action in. Also, games may not always end in draws. The MLS All-Star Game, for instance, will go to penalties if the game is tied. Other friendlies would settle with a draw, it truly depends on the competition.

2024 Summer Friendly Results

Thursday, March 21

Italy 2-1 Venezuela, in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Ecuador 2-0 Guatemala, in Harrison, NJ

Friday, March 22

Argentina 3-0 El Salvador, in Philadelphia, PA

Saturday, March 23

Club America 2-3 Cruz Azul, in Carson, CA

Sunday, March 24

Ecuador 0-2 Italy, in Harrison, NJ
Chivas 0-0 Atlas, in Los Angeles, CA

Tuesday, March 26

Argentina 3-1 Costa Rica, in Los Angeles, CA

Other ways to watch

Can’t make it to live preseason games in the USA this year, or out of your budget? You can still watch many of the soccer friendlies on TV or online. For instance, the schedule of upcoming games are always updated on our website. Many of the games may be available across streaming, too, including Fubo.

Why do teams play friendlies?

Friendlies serve two purposes for teams. First, they’re an ideal way to gain match fitness before a new season begins. For instance, European soccer seasons usually begin in August. Therefore, the games give coaches and managers an opportunity to play new star signings, as well as trying different formations. Second, the games generate more revenue for the teams and increase the size of the teams’ fan bases.

Historically, major soccer teams have been visiting the United States to play games for decades. For instance, Everton first played friendlies in the United States in 1956. Similarly, the first record of English teams playing in the United States was from 1905.

Nowadays, the summer soccer friendlies are an annual tradition in the United States.

Who plays in soccer friendlies?

Soccer friendlies provide a great opportunity for US fans to see their favorite international stars, sometimes in their own cities. Soccer friendlies also provide the chance for newer players to gain more experience.

For this reason, it’s up to each team’s manager (or coach) to decide who plays in the games. Some coaches prefer to give their youth stars an opportunity to get valuable playing time. Other managers like to build the team’s chemistry by playing the stars who will start the upcoming European season.

Do friendlies count?

Friendlies, also known as exhibition games, do not count for points. In spite of this, promoters sometimes entice clubs with a cup if they win their series of friendlies. For example, Relevent Sports launched the International Champions Cup as a way to make the friendlies more meaningful. Having said that, clubs rarely put much emphasis on winning these friendly competitions. At the end of the day, football teams play friendlies because the games grow fanbases and get teams ready for the new season. Preseason ranked games do not count for points.

You may wonder, what is a friendly in soccer? When soccer clubs first originated in the 1800s, there were no leagues or competitions. So, teams would play against each other in a friendly game. It wasn’t until 1888 when the Football League was created that teams faced each other in competitive games.

If you have questions about the schedule of soccer friendlies in the United States, let us know in the comments section below.

Photo: Getty Images.

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