the Galaxy's investor-operator -- and Chelsea to jointly promote soccer in the United States.
"The World Series of Football is a tremendous platform to showcase the incredible skills of Chelsea, Suwon, Tigres and the Galaxy," said AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke. "Matches like this are the next step to providing MLS clubs, in particular the Galaxy, credibility throughout the world and proof that U.S. soccer can compete against the best clubs.
"We are also delighted to host another of the world's most popular and respected clubs at The Home Depot Center for our knowledgeable fans, who continue to request additional competitions featuring the best clubs in international soccer today."
Each team will play a pair of games during the tournament. In addition to playing the Galaxy, Chelsea and Tigres will both face Suwon. Chelsea and Tigres will not face each other, nor will the Galaxy and Suwon.
The teams will be awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw. The team with the most points after two games will be declared the champion, and in the event of a tie, the winner will be determined first by goal differential, then goals scored, and then goals allowed, with a coin flip being the last option.
"We look forward to hosting these world-class clubs and providing our fans with quality international match-ups at The Home Depot Center," said Galaxy President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "But make no mistake, our hospitality ends at the start of the tournament. We aim to have the World Series of Football be the first trophy for the Galaxy in 2007."
The World Series of Football was first staged in 2005 and included Chelsea, AC Milan, D.C. United and the Chicago Fire. Chelsea and Milan played a pair of matches, with the Blues winning 1-0 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., and the teams playing to a 1-1 draw at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Chelsea also defeated D.C. United 2-1 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., and Milan beat the Fire 3-1 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
A year ago, Chelsea came to the United States for preseason training and to play the best of MLS in the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, falling 1-0 in that tilt.
"We are very happy that we are going back to the U.S. for preseason and we have done it every year since my arrival," said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. "The facilities are very good and the people very well organized giving us the best conditions to prepare for this important work. In previous seasons we have always won a trophy and although I am not a superstitious person this has something to do with the good preparation."
AEG and Chelsea entered their partnership in March 2006. The alliance includes programs related to and exchanges involving young players, coaching and medicine. The agreement also dictates extensive involvement from Chelsea in the sport in the United States at both the grassroots and professional levels.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
