Earlier this week, U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati told reporters in England that America is open to the idea of hosting the FA Community Shield, though not necessarily a 39th Premier League match.We have to follow FIFA guidance, and in the past when countries wanted to play official games in the U.S. we have declined. We have hosted the Italian equivalent of the Community Shield in 1993 and that would be very different to holding a Premier League game. We would consider it.
The FA Community Shield is a preseason match between the Premier League champion and the FA Cup winner from the previous season. It usually signifies the start of the English season and helps raise money for various charities in England.
So here's my question for Mr. Gulati: Why is the U.S. Soccer Federation so keen on promoting a virtual friendly between Manchester United and Portsmouth, yet it won't put any money into the oldest club competition in America?
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the American equivalent of the FA Cup. It's been running since 1914. The winner gets a bid to the CONCACAF Champions League. The first round of this year's competition begins on June 10. And the U.S. Soccer Federation doesn't want you to know about it.
