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Tuesday Kickoff: Roma-El Salvador friendly scheduled at Red Bull Arena, more problems for France and more

AS Roma (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

AS Roma is coming to Red Bull Arena for a summer friendly, but it will not be against a club team.

Roma is set to take on El Salvador's national team in a friendly at Red Bull Arena on July 27, the New York Red Bulls announced on Monday. The match will be Roma's final exhibition in their first preseason trip to the United States, while it will also serve as another tune-up for El Salvador before World Cup qualifying resumes.

Roma also has games in Chicago and Boston scheduled as part of their U.S. tour. The Italian club will take on Polish outfit Zaglebie Lubin at Wrigley Field and Liverpool FC at Fenway Park.

Here are more stories from around the soccer world:

NASRI, THREE OTHERS TO BE QUESTIONED BY FFF

Internal problems at international tournaments seem to be becoming the norm for France. Samir Nasri, Hatem ben Arfa, Yann M'Vila and Jeremy Menez are all to be questioned by the French Football Federation over their actions at Euro 2012. The quartet were involved in a heated locker room exchange following Les Bleus' 2-0 defeat to Sweden in the final group match, while Nasri also directed profane comments towards a journalist following France's 2-0 loss to Spain in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

The FFF looking into these matters comes two years after French players had a notorious World Cup revolt in South Africa with then-head coach Raymond Domenech.

ZOLA TO BE NAMED WATFORD MANAGER

Gianfranco Zola is on the brink of returning to coaching, and Watford all but seems to be the team ready to hire him. Watford fired head coach Sean Dyche on Tuesday, paving the way for the hiring of Zola. The Italian has not coached since losing his debut job at West Ham United in 2010, but Watford owner said Monday he planned on hiring Zola to help Watford jump back to Premiership.

PHOENIX TO GET EXPANSION USL PRO CLUB IN 2013

In an effort to get more west coast teams, USL Pro announced on Monday that an expansion team from Phoenix, Arizona will join the league in 2013. The club, which is owned and operated by BDR Sports, LLC (a group of local investors), will be the second west coast team in the league after the Los Angeles Blues. A team name and colors will be revealed later this summer.

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Planning on going to the Roma-El Salvador friendly? Why does France's national team keep getting into these public problems? Expect Watford to do well under Zola? How do you see Phoenix doing on and off the field in USL Pro in 2013?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I doubt any games will be scheduled during the day when summer hits in Phoenix. We’re excited here, though. Hopefully it actually happens.

    And If y’all live in the Valley and are so inclined, check out the Valley’s soccer supporter’s group, “La Furia Roja 1881/ The Red Fury 1881,” at facebook.com/LFR1881 and @LFR1881.

    Our aim is to support this new team (given it actually happens, lol) to the fullest and help the fan base and sport grow in the Valley. Our mission is to create a unique atmosphere at matches — waving flags, signing, chanting, jumping and creating and unveiling banners/tifos.

    We are not hooligans. We adhere to our own code of conduct. To view that and any information and if you are interested in joining us and our cause, check out our facebook page (facebook.com/LFR1881).

    Viva futbol.

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  2. El salvador constantly draws over 40,000 at RFK
    against teams like Guatemala and Jamaica. Im sure they will sell out Red Bull Arena against Roma.

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  3. I guess we’ll see. I predict 15,000 max. Plus a large “italian community” doesn’t mean a huge crowd to see Roma. I doubt there’s all that many Roma fans in the area. Some sure, but not that many.

    Wish some of these “fans” would support American soccer instead, since they live here.

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  4. All of El Salvador’s last friendlies in the USA could easily fill red bull arena. There are far more Salvadorean football fans in the USA then NYRB fans its not even close

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  5. I’d be surprised if RBA is more than half full for this snoozefest. And while Red Bulls attendance has been disappointed, they did sell out their last home match.

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  6. Good for you guys getting a team, but I hope they push the home schedule on the front/back end of the season. Not really sure I’d want to be playing there during this part of the season…

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  7. There are lots of Salvadorean expats in the area along with a large Italian community that will easily make this a sell out.

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  8. exactly its not as if the Polish team they are facing in Chicago is a marque opponent their is a large Polish community in Chicago.

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  9. These games are all about money. Between a large Italian community and a large community from El Salvador currently living in New York, the game will easily sellout. These are only exhibition matches, don’t put too much stock into it.

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  10. Roma had a matchup against a top Colombian team, but they had trouble getting visas so they had to scramble to find an opponent.

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  11. el salvador? seriously. and please don’t tell me they’re a tough concacaf team to play blah blah blah … these games are all about marquee matchups, and this ain’t one

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  12. Yes, pumped, he is the finisher all that fancy passing needed, good complimentary piece at forward to go along with our midfielders.

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  13. There is a good chance that Michael Bradley will be playing with Roma when they make their US tour. It looks like they will sign him before the end of the week.

    Reply

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