World Football Challenge 2012: Yankee Stadium To Host Two Matches

The 2012 World Football Challenge will be coming to New York this weekend with the first of two matches to be hosted by Yankee Stadium.

European champions Chelsea will take on Ligue 1 runners-up Paris-Saint Germain on July 22 at 7 p.m. Yankee Stadium will also host Spanish giants Real Madrid when they play Serie A runners-up AC Milan on August 8 at 8 p.m.

The World Football Challenge began in 2009 and is in its third year. There was no Challenge in 2010 due to the World Cup. The Challenge is an international exhibition with a series of friendlies played among European clubs, MLS teams and Mexican teams. Chelsea won the first Challenge in 2009 and Real Madrid won last year.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to play in Yankee stadium. It's such an iconic sports organization and it's great to be playing football at Yankee Stadium," Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said Wednesday about the opportunity to play in the Challenge at Yankee Stadium.

"The main anticipation is about the Big Apple. Most of the guys have been to New York. Playing in Yankee Stadium is such an honor for the guys. They follow the Yankees, and this is a real pinnacle for the two weeks. They are very focused and respect the opposition. It's going to be very special."

Here is a diagram of how the pitch will be laid out for the matches:

(Diagram courtesy of the New York Yankees)

Here is the full schedule with TV times and information for the 2012 World Football Challenge:

MATCH 1 (July 18)
Seattle Sounders FC v Chelsea FC, CenturyLink Field, 9:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN2 (English), ESPN Deportes (Spanish), ESPN3 (online)

MATCH 2 (July 21)
Toronto FC v Liverpool FC, Rogers Centre, 4 p.m.
TV: Fox Soccer (English), Fox Deportes (Spanish / delayed, 7/22 at 1 p.m.)

MATCH 3 (July 22)
Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain, Yankee Stadium, 7 p.m.
TV: Fox Soccer (English), Univision Deportes (Spanish), Univision Radio (radio)

MATCH 4 (July 28)
Chelsea FC v AC Milan, SunLife Stadium, 6 p.m.
TV: ESPN2 (English), ESPN Deportes (Spanish), ESPN3 (online)

MATCH 5 (July 28)
D.C. United v Paris Saint-Germain, RFK Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
TV: Fox Soccer (English / delayed 10 p.m.), Fox Deportes (Spanish / delayed, 7/29 at 1 p.m.)

MATCH 6 (Aug. 2)
LA Galaxy v Real Madrid, Home Depot Center, 10:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN2 (English), ESPN Deportes (Spanish), ESPN3 (online)

MATCH 7 (Aug. 5)
Real Madrid v Santos Laguna, Sam Boyd Stadium,11 p.m.
TV: Fox Soccer (English), Fox Deportes (Spanish)

MATCH 8 (Aug. 8)
Real Madrid v AC Milan, Yankee Stadium, 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN2 (English), ESPN Deportes (Spanish), ESPN3 (online)

MATCH 9 (Aug. 11)
Real Madrid v Celtic FC, Lincoln Financial Field, 1:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN2 (English), ESPN Deportes (Spanish), ESPN3 (online)