The Premier League Summer Series showcased its American preseason spectacle in Chicago this week, with matches held at Soldier Field amid challenging weather conditions.
In the opening contest, West Ham faced Everton and emerged victorious, winning 2-1 in comeback fashion.
Meanwhile, Manchester United dominated AFC Bournemouth in the second match, claiming a 4-1 victory.
West Ham secured their win with goals from Lucas Paquetá and Niclas Füllkrug, while Manchester United’s impressive display featured goals from Rasmus Højlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad Diallo, and Ethan Williams.
These matches were the climax of a week-long initiative by the Premier League to engage fans in Chicago, which included various promotional activities leading up to Wednesday’s matches.
In the first match, West Ham found themselves trailing after Everton’s captain Idrissa Gueye scored the opener.
Gueye capitalized on a well-timed pass from Harrison Armstrong, easily putting the ball past West Ham goalkeeper Wes Foderingham into the corner of the net.
West Ham, however, equalized just before halftime thanks to some fortune.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers misjudged a cross, allowing the loose ball to fall to Lucas Paquetá, who calmly found the net in the 41st minute.
In the second half, another defensive mishap by Bournemouth allowed Niclas Füllkrug to net the match-winner in the 64th minute as his shot trickled into the far corner, securing West Ham’s victory.
The second match saw Manchester United take the lead against Bournemouth early on.
In the eighth minute, a beautiful run down the left wing by Patrick Dorgu set up Rasmus Højlund, who headed the ball into the net.
Dorgu himself added a goal before halftime, benefiting from a shot that should have been saved by Bournemouth’s goalkeeper Djordje Petrović.
Dorgu shrugged off a defender to take a shot that slipped through Petrović’s hands and rolled into the net.
After the break, the rain intensified but that did not stop Manchester United from extending their lead to 3-0.
Following a chaotic moment in Bournemouth’s penalty area, Amad Diallo found a loose ball and scored after his shot deflected off Rasmus Højlund.
The scoring spree continued in the 72nd minute when Ethan Williams, who came on as a substitute, struck the ball into the near post, making it 4-0 for Manchester United.
Bournemouth managed to score a consolation goal in the 88th minute, with Matthijs de Ligt accidentally deflecting David Brooks’ cross into his own net, finalizing the score at 4-1.
USMNT defender Tyler Adams made his return to the pitch after a successful run with the American national team, entering the match in the 76th minute.
Adams expressed his joy at playing once again, stating it was a pleasure to showcase what it’s like to compete in the States.
He noted, “The weather was not ideal, but it felt good to be back out there.”
The Premier League’s visit to Chicago also included a youth soccer promotional event at Fire Pitch where Manchester United and Bournemouth players engaged with local youths.
Luke Shaw spoke to media members, reflecting on the importance of remaining fit after a challenging previous season where he logged the fewest minutes of his career.
Shaw emphasized his focus on being available for selection and contributing to Manchester United’s ambitions of winning the Premier League.
He stated, “I think if that happens, then England can kind of take care of itself, as long as I’m fit and doing the right things day in, day out.”
Shaw also shared his optimistic mindset as he enters the new season, expressing excitement about working with good teammates and a strong manager.
Bournemouth’s captain Adam Smith commended Tyler Adams’ leadership, suggesting he could be a future candidate for captaincy due to his positive impact on younger players.
Smith reflected on his own career, sharing how valuable his loan experiences in the English Football League were in shaping his journey.
Adams responded to Smith’s praises and emphasized his commitment to leading by example, focusing on uplifting his teammates.
For Bournemouth’s manager, Andoni Iraola, the growth of Major League Soccer was apparent as he compared it to his experience coaching in New York City back in 2015-2016.
Iraola highlighted the evolution of the league, particularly in attracting younger foreign players while producing talents who go on to have successful careers in Europe.
The events preceding the matches included press conferences at The Westin Chicago, with both teams discussing their prospects as they head into the new season.
Everton manager David Moyes spoke about the struggles with the current transfer market.
West Ham’s Graham Potter reflected on the potential of American soccer, specifically mentioning the promising talents emerging ahead of the World Cup.
He acknowledged Christian Pulisic’s influence and the positive direction in which the sport is heading in the US.
Manchester United utilized the Chicago Fire’s Endeavor Health Performance Center for training throughout their visit, with head coach Ruben Amorim reconnecting with familiar faces from his past in Portugal.
Amorim praised the facility’s organization and its world-class amenities for athletes.
Shaw echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the high standard of the training center and its significant contribution to their preparation.
As the Premier League Summer Series wraps up in Chicago, the excitement from fans and players alike signals a promising future for soccer in the United States.
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