Tottenham Hotspur are coming back to America.
The English Premier League club will suit up against the Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire in July 2014, the clubs announced on Monday, giving Stateside fans the third look in five years at one of the top teams in England.
Tottenham will take on Seattle on July 19 at CenturyLink Field and then the Fire at Toyota Park on July 26.
Spurs currently sit seventh in the Barclays Premier League, level with Manchester United and three points off fourth position, with just one loss in the past seven league outings. After finishing fifth in the league table last season, Spurs qualified for the UEFA Europa League, winning its group with a perfect record to advance to the Round of 32.
"Tottenham Hotspur has established themselves as one of the top teams in arguably the toughest league in the world," Sounders owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer said in a statement. "We are proud to have them be a part of this year's friendly and will continue to strive to bring the strongest competition to CenturyLink Field."
Said Fire chief operating officer Atul Khosla: “In Chicago, the Fire proudly represents the global game. Making the investment to bring a club like Spurs to Toyota Park demonstrates our continued commitment to facilitating the growth of soccer. We welcome the opportunity to showcase Chicago Fire soccer to a broader base of soccer fans, not only here at home, but also those from around the globe.”
The North London side, which has won the FA Cup eight times and the UEFA Cup twice, currently has a roster that boasts US national team legend Brad Friedel, English internationals Jermain Defoe, Andros Townsend and Kyle Walker, Brazilian internationals Paulinho and Sandro, Spanish international striker Roberto Soldado and French international captain Hugo Lloris.
“Preseason preparations are always key ahead of a new campaign,” Spurs manager Tim Sherwood said in a statement. “We all know that the US has first-class facilities, while Major League Soccer is growing each year. The MLS opposition we face will be in the middle of their seasons and playing in their home stadiums so we can expect strong tests from both Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire. The Club is rightfully proud of its large and growing fan base in the States and we look forward to meeting with as many of our loyal fans from across the country as we can.”
The Seattle match is part of the Sounders FC full 18-match season ticket membership. Fans can also guarantee seats for the Tottenham Hotspur match by purchasing a half-season ticket membership prior to the public on-sale of individual tickets on March 10.
Tickets will be available to Fire season ticket holders beginning Jan. 8. The general public sale date is Jan. 24, with group sales beginning Jan. 27.
