100 Percent Soccer Column: Get the skinny on fan events planned around the visits of EPL clubs to Los Angeles this summer

iccfinal

Read more about the clubs visiting Southern California for the International Champions Cup in this week’s 100 Percent Soccer column.

Chelsea released its travel roster for the tournament this morning:

Goalkeepers: Asmir Begović, Thibault Courtois, Jamal Blackman
Defenders: Branislav Ivanović, Gary Cahill, John Terry, César Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Baba, Matthew Mizaga, Michael Hector, Ola Aina
Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas, Oscar, Nemanja Matić, Willian, Kennedy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kanté, Nathaniel Chalobah
Forwards: Eden Hazard, Pedro, Juan Cuadrado, Loïc Rémy, Diego Costa, Michy Batshuayi, Bertrand Traoré, Victor Moses

And a couple of hours after the deadline for the column, Leicester City announced a fan meet and greet event from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 27 at Niky’s Sports, 11807 Santa Monica Blvd. Foxes fans can meet the team and pose with the EPL trophy.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Liverpool to host free fan event July 26 in Hollywood: RSVP here

Liverpool

The first-ever visit to Southern California by Liverpool FC will see the club host a free fan fest at 7 p.m. July 26 at the Avalon Ballroom in Hollywood, the day before the Reds play Chelsea at the Rose Bowl.

From the press release:

The event, which will be open to over 1000 attendees, will feature a visit from Liverpool FC Ambassadors Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Gary McAllister and Legend Luis Garcia. The Legends will take part in a meet and greet with fans as well as an on stage Q&A, and a raffle hosted by LFCTV.

The evening will also feature a nod to Liverpool’s other greatest export, with a performance by a Beatles Tribute Band. A fitting homage to the famous Liverpudlians, given the Avalon Hollywood was the venue of their first ever West Coast performance in 1964.

Get your ticket here.

Complete details on the game in Pasadena is here.

ESPN has announced that it will televise all 21 ICC games live.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

100 Percent Soccer Column: Frustrated with the lack of American success on the international level? Get used to it.

messimissMessi miss: Argentine superstar Lionel Messi reacts to his penalty kick miss in the final of the Copa America against Chile (Associated Press).

Failure is far more common than success as even the likes of top-tier soccer nations like Argentina, England and Mexico have discovered — and puts public frustration with the U.S. Men’s National Team into perspective.

Read this week’s 100 Percent Soccer column here.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Chile wins Copa America, Messi leaving national team after PK miss

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after losing 4-2 to Chile in penalty kicks during the Copa America Centenario championship soccer match, Sunday, June 26, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after losing 4-2 to Chile in penalty kicks during the Copa America Centenario championship soccer match, Sunday, June 26, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The Chilean national team celebrated its second straight Copa America title just a few feet away from a dejected Lionel Messi. The Argentinian striker missed his penalty kick en route to Chile’s 4-2 shootout victory after 120 minutes of scoreless play.

It was the third straight loss for Argentina in the final of a major tournament and the heartbreak was apparently enough to force Messi into retirement from international play. The 29-year-old told reporters in Spanish after the match that “the national team is over for me. It’s not for me after four finals.”

Despite his distinction as one of the best in the world, Messi has yet to win a major tournament for Argentina. Sunday’s final was the second time in as many years that Argentina lost to Chile in the Copa America final on penalty kicks.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

100 Percent Soccer Column: The most entertaining team at Euro 2016 is torching opponents like a fire-breathing dragon — and seeing its odds of winning the tournament slashed

welsh

Read this week’s 100 Percent Soccer column here.

And for the latest Vegas Euro 2006 round of 16 odds, courtesy of Bovada.lv, see below:

Euro 2016 Winner

France 4/1
Germany 9/2
Spain 11/2
Belgium 6/1
Croatia 9/1
England 9/1
Portugal 10/1
Italy 16/1
Poland 25/1
Wales 25/1
Switzerland 40/1
Hungary 100/1
Republic of Ireland 100/1
Iceland 150/1
Slovakia 150/1
Northern Ireland 250/1

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Where to watch the USA-Argentina Copa America semifinal tonight in Southern California

copasemi

With the U.S. scoring their record TV ratings so far in the tournament for the Ecuador game, tonight’s Copa America semifinal against Lionel Messi and Argentina is sure to produce even higher viewership.

Here’s a game preview and a list of just some of the many places in Southern California you can be sure will show the game.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

U.S. men’s national team wins Copa America Group A

United States' Clint Dempsey (8) reacts after scoring against Paraguay during the first half of a Copa America Group A soccer match Saturday, June 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

United States’ Clint Dempsey (8) reacts after scoring against Paraguay during the first half of a Copa America Group A soccer match Saturday, June 11, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

One week ago, the U.S. men’s national team was facing elimination. By Saturday night, the United States topped its group.

With a 1-0 win over Paraguay and Costa Rica’s stunning 3-2 win over Colombia, the Americans locked up not only their first Copa America quarterfinal berth since 1995 (and second ever) but also the top spot in Group A. This is the first time the United States has ever advanced out of the group stage at a major tournament after losing the first game.

The United States will play the runner up from Group B, either Brazil, Peru or Ecuador, in Seattle at CenturyLink Field on Thursday in the quarterfinals. Continue reading “U.S. men’s national team wins Copa America Group A” »

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

100 Percent Soccer Column: Euro 2016 joins Copa America on U.S. TV this weekend

copatv

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email