Premier League giants Liverpool and Arsenal confronted off in a 2-1 win for Liverpool on Wednesday evening in entrance of a packed crowd of 69,879 at Philly’s Lincoln Monetary Stadium, a sellout and a report soccer turnout for the venue.
The match, a part of a three-game Rivals in Crimson USA 2024 Tour that additionally included Manchester United, drew followers of England’s prime soccer league to South Philly.
Joe DeVito and his household of Arsenal followers got here from Middletown, N.J., for the sport. They had been additionally finally yr’s weekend of Premier League exhibition video games, which hosted over 105,000 followers for 3 matches over two days. The Gunners weren’t concerned that weekend, so this yr was further particular.
“It’s an excellent expertise, lots of people right here,” DeVito mentioned. “I feel there’s much more individuals right here than there was final yr for the doubleheader.”
Since Philadelphia was introduced as one of many 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA Males’s World Cup, the Linc has additionally hosted worldwide friendlies between Mexico and Germany, then Argentina in opposition to El Salvador.
Native fan teams for each Arsenal and Liverpool had been coordinating with the groups and different media to have occasions across the metropolis the place followers might get nearer to gamers, legends and others linked to every membership. It additionally helped to showcase how the locals introduced their very own Philly twist to soccer fandom.
“Philadelphia has an excellent soccer tradition,” mentioned Andy Kuriatnikov, co-chair of the Official Liverpool Supporters Membership of Philadelphia. “I feel that Liverpool noticed that, that’s why they introduced the staff right here. I feel Arsenal noticed that, that’s why they introduced their staff right here. And I feel that’s why we’re going to be internet hosting just a few World Cup video games in a pair years.”
The stadium crowd was a sea of crimson obscuring the Eagles inexperienced seats. Arsenal had been the away facet, so deferred to its black away uniforms, or kits. Either side began about as robust a facet as they might with the gamers out there on the tour. Many massive names had been getting a well-deserved relaxation after competing for his or her nationwide groups within the UEFA European Championship and The CONMEBOL Copa América earlier in the summertime.
The referee’s whistle to kick off the sport was backed up by crimson fireworks on the prime of the stadium.
Liverpool’s star Egyptian winger, Mohamed Salah, opened the scoring within the thirteenth minute, working onto a chipped go by Harvey Elliott over Arsenal’s defensive position and slotting a shot previous Gunners goalkeeper Karl Hein.
Fábio Carvalho doubled the Reds’ lead within the thirty fourth minute, from Elliott’s second help of the evening.
Arsenal clawed again a purpose within the fortieth minute when German ahead Kai Havertz tapped in a deflected go underneath Republic of Eire keeper Caoimhín Kelleher.
After an interactive halftime gentle present involving telephones within the crowd and Invoice Conti’s “Gonna Fly Now” from “Rocky,” the sport noticed few possibilities, with Arsenal substitute Fabio Vieira forcing the primary save within the 68th minute. Arsenal determined to not area its newest big-name signing, Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, who joined earlier this week from Bologna for $53.9 million.
Liverpool virtually made it 3-1 earlier than full time when Harvey Blair teed up Treymaurice Nyoni, however the Arsenal goalkeeper saved the shot and stored the ultimate rating 2-1. Liverpool’s victory didn’t include the standard singing of the membership music “You’ll By no means Stroll Alone” that performs at its residence stadium.
After the sport, each coaches had been stuffed with reward for the stadium and the gang.
“It’s a wonderful stadium, it created an excellent ambiance,” Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta mentioned.
“It’s been tour for us,” Arne Slot, Liverpool’s supervisor, added. “Amenities are nice. You possibly can see the followers loving us taking part in right here. And we like to play right here as effectively, particularly if the end result preserve going like this.”
American soccer followers will get yet one more likelihood to see Liverpool when the staff performs Man United within the ultimate match of the Rivals in Crimson tour on Aug. 3 in Columbia, S.C. Arsenal closes out its preseason again in London.
The Premier League begins play on Friday, Aug. 16, so the area’s followers will once more must catch it on their televisions or on the bars keen to open early for the morning matches. However this season many will be capable of recount seeing Mo Salah, Martin Ødegaard, and Diogo Jota in particular person.