British quartet head for US

Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Celtic are all set to take part in the 2004 ChampionsWorld Series in the United States during the summer.

United played four matches across North America as part of their pre-season preparations last summer – including a 4-0 win over Celtic in Seattle – with each game attracting bumper crowds.

This year, all of the three English clubs taking part will meet the current Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders – although they will not play each other in their warm-up to the 2004/2005 season.

Also taking part are German giants Bayern Munich, as well as Serie A sides Roma and AC Milan, last year’s Champions League winners. Organisers also hope to add Porto to the schedule, as well as teams from South America.

The matches will be broadcast live across the US and Manchester United chief executive David Gill said: “The club takes the tournament seriously.

“It is the chance for the players to impress the manager. If you have some new players in the squad it is their first chance to come into the team.

“It is very important and the start we had to the season was our best ever and I think that is no surprise given the quality of the games that we played in America and the seriousness with which the players took the matches.”

Gill added: “All the grounds we played at were magnificent stadia, the fans really got involved with it and knew their football.

“It struck me how big the sport is becoming and it is growing particularly well.”

Umberto Gandini, organising director of AC Milan reflected: “The US audience is very attractive for us and it is a very important trip one in terms of playing Manchester United and Chelsea for our Champions League preparation.”

ChampionsWorld chief executive officer Charlie Stillitano added: “We are excited to bring the ChampionsWorld Series here for a second year and to add new participants.”

:: 2004 ChampionsWorld Series Schedule

Saturday July 24 – Chelsea v Celtic (Seahawks Stadium, Seattle)

Sunday July 25 – Manchester United v Bayern Munich (Soldier Field, Chicago)

Monday July 26 – Liverpool v Celtic (Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut)

Wednesday July 28 – Manchester United v Celtic (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)

Thursday July 29 – Roma v Chelsea (Heinz Field, Pittsburgh)

Saturday July 31 – Manchester United v AC Milan (Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey)

Saturday July 31 – Celtic v Roma (SkyDome, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Monday August 2 – Chelsea v AC Milan (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)

Tuesday August 3 – Roma v Liverpool (Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey)