Italian giants cancel D.C. visit

Juve will be replaced in WFC match

By Zain Alvi | 21st June 2012

The Italian Serie A winners Juventus have canceled their much awaited trip to Washington, D.C. for an exhibition match on July 28, as confirmed earlier this afternoon by a press release from D.C. United.

MLS outfit United revealed that although Juve, who finished last season unbeaten in the Serie A, will no longer play at the RFK Stadium next month as originally planned, another major European side will soon be identified as the replacement.

The following statement was issued to the press regarding the Herbalife World Football Challenge match that will now be revised:

“We’ve received word that Juventus FC will no longer be playing in Washington, D.C. While we’re disappointed with the news, D.C. United is already in discussions with another, major European team to fill that date and will share opponent and ticketing details as a deal is finalized.”

The match against Juve was originally set to kick-off at 6pm and was the only World Football Challenge fixture planned in the D.C. area this summer to follow-up on last year’s massive clash between Manchester United and Barcelona.

That particular match was billed as the rematch of last season’s UEFA Champions League final and it certainly lived up to its billing.

Nani had opened the scoring for the Red Devils midway through the first half before Thiago Alcantara struck a brilliant 70th minute equalizer for the Catalans.

Six minutes later, though, Michael Owen finished clinically to secure an impressive 2-1 win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who finished runners-up in the Barclays Premier League this past season.

Other elite European teams that will take part in this year’s World Football Challenge include European champions Chelsea, Spanish champions Real Madrid, and Juve’s Italian rivals AC Milan.

In major D.C. United news, their manager Ben Olsen has been chosen to lead the MLS All Stars against Chelsea in Chester, Pennsylvania on July 25.