Heinz Field summer soccer match announcement coming early next week

For those awaiting the news about which European clubs will be playing at Heinz Field in July, we’ll finally be finding out soon who will be playing, and what date.

International Champions Cup organizers have already begun a countdown to its launch its formal announcement for this year’s U.S.-based games early next week, and are announcing teams that are participating this week.

It was confirmed by Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s sources with Heinz Field in early February, there will be a match between two European teams in Pittsburgh, but the specific teams could not be confirmed.

What’s pretty exciting news — potentially for soccer fans in our region — is that Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga club, will be participating in the tournament, and in all likelihood, will be coming to Pittsburgh.

Reports have surfaced that Dortmund will be setting up its preseason American training base in Pittsburgh as well as Chicago — and playing one of its International Champions Cup matches at Heinz Field.

On Tuesday, German club officially shared word that they’re coming for the International Champions Cup.

???????? We're happy to join the @IntChampionsCup and to meet our US fans soon! ???? pic.twitter.com/haTM6yf8jq

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) April 10, 2018

If you didn’t already know, one of Dortmund’s top players is 19-year old American Christian Pulisic, from Hershey, PA, and father Mark Pulisic currently is an assistant coach with the Riverhounds.

Borussia Dortmund set to tour the USA twice in the summer https://t.co/dgPn0Hgog8 via @BVBBuzz pic.twitter.com/uDOqNkJtET

— FanSided Soccer (@FanSidedSoccer) February 27, 2018

The July trip will be the club’s second to the U.S. this year, as it appears that they’re moving up a friendly against the newly formed LAFC in Los Angeles to May right after the conclusion of its Bundesliga schedule sometime around May 18 or 19. Apparently the previously planned trip to L.A. won’t conflict with travel schedule for the International Champions Cup, which will likely have them playing games on the East coast.

The last time Heinz Field hosted a soccer match between two European-based clubs was in July 2014, when Manchester City trounced AC Milan, 5-1, as part of the International Champions Cup.

That match was highlighted by then AC Milan striker’s ‘selfie’ with a pair of field invaders.

While some initial reports pointed to a Man City return to Pittsburgh as Dortmund’s ICC opponent, now it’s looking more likely that opponent could be Tottenham Hotspur, who also announced they’re coming stateside this week too.

According to a World Soccer Talk report, the Spurs will take on Dortmund at Heinz Field on Wednesday, July 25.

We're heading back to the States this summer! ???????? ????

Last year's trip was pretty special… ✈️ ???? ???? #SpursInUSA pic.twitter.com/oj9q2wMHID

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 11, 2018

This trip will only boost Dortmund’s appeal among U.S. fan base — especially with Pulisic’s emergence in the past few years.
As of now, the International Champions Cup has only announced the teams that are competing in 2018, but no official announcements have come regarding venues, dates or match-ups.

In the meantime, ICC will be announcing more teams on Thursday.

The second round of clubs that will be participating in the #ICC2018 have been revealed! ⚽????@acmilan | @Arsenal | @SLBenfica | @ChelseaFC | @inter

Sign up: https://t.co/sf2IPsLWlv#ChampionsMeetHere

Another round of clubs to be revealed tomorrow. Who's next????? pic.twitter.com/NXQoiOxDYw

— International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) April 11, 2018

Here’s the current list of teams in the ICC:

2018 International Champions Cup Teams

• Arsenal
• Athletico Madrid
• BVB
• Manchester United
• Tottenham
• Bayern Munich
• AC Milan
• Benfica
• Chelsea
• Inter Milan

In addition, it appears the International Champions Cup will also host women’s matches too this summer.

Manchester City, Paris St.-Germain, the N.W.S.L.’s North Carolina Courage and a fourth club will make up the first Women’s I.C.C. field. The tournament will be contested in two doubleheaders in South Florida this summer: back-to-back semifinal matches on July 27, and then a third-place game and the final on July 29 at Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins’ home stadium, in Miami Gardens.

The fourth team has not been confirmed, but Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are among those on the shortlist to take part.