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Crystal Palace to face Crew, Union, Kickers during U.S. tour

Joe Ledley of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring a headed goal with team mates to make it 2-0

By RYAN TOLMICH

Fresh off of an eleventh-place Premier League finish, Crystal Palace will head stateside for a summer tour that features contests with the Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union and Richmond Kickers.

Tony Pulis and co. will begin their nine-day stay with two days of training in Columbus before taking on the Crew on July 23. Gregg Berhalter, head coach of the Crew, is a former Crystal Palace defender who played for the club in 2001-02, scoring one goal.

“Crystal Palace holds a special place in my heart, having played there and being a part of that club,” Berhalter said according to the Crew’s official site. “I have some fantastic memories from playing at Selhurst Park, and we’re looking forward to this match.

“Crystal Palace had a great year in the Premiership this past season. They proved themselves to be a good club in the top league in the world. For us, it’s going to be a great competition, and even more special for me because it’s a former club of mine.”

The team will then head to Philadelphia for a clash with the Union at PPL Park on July 25 before heading south to Virginia to take on USL PRO side Richmond Kickers in the 22,000 seat City Stadium on July 28.

Crystal Palace begin their offseason following a strong finish to the 2013-14 Premier League campaign. The club picked up 17 of the possible 24 points from their final eight games in a stretch that included victories over Chelsea and Everton, as well as a three-goal comeback against title runner-ups Liverpool.

Tickets for the match in Columbus will go on sale on June 2, while Philadelphia’s tickets can be bought by the public starting Wednesday. Finally, tickets for the match-up in Richmond will go on sale May 26.

Details on kickoff times will be made available at a later date.

What do you think of Crystal Palace’s tour plans? Expect to attend any of these games?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Palace held a training academy in Richmond about ten years ago. I think their reserves even played a game against the Kickers as they actually sold Palace shirts at City Stadium and I got one for the novelty factor. I am guess something was forged then and now that Palace is taking its act on the road Richmond football fans get to benefit. I am surprised that it hasn’t been mentioned in the press I have read. Richmond has also beaten the LA Galaxy (who had to bring Donovan on in the second half to try and score but didn’t) in Open Cup play so we aren’t as crap as you’d necessarily think we are.

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  2. I would not be shocked if over half of next year’s EPL teams play at least one game either in or against an American side. EPL is already the most popular league here in America, and they can still go a lot higher

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    • I agree – even the bottom feeder EPL clubs now have a higher profile in the States due to the NBC coverage which gave every team some airtime

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