Toyota Park is going to be as international as Epcot Center in May. Following on the heals of the recent announcement of the Sister Cities International Cup, the Chicago Fire announced on Wednesday that they will host Italian giants AC Milan on Sunday, May 30.
The match will be the second between the two clubs. Milan won the first meeting, defeating the Fire 3-1 at Soldier Field in 2005.
“As one of the world’s most storied clubs, A.C. Milan will guarantee an exciting, passionate match for fans of the Fire and the world’s game in their own backyard at Toyota Park,” Fire President Dave Greeley said in a release. “It allows us to showcase Chicago as the world-class city it is and our supporters as the best in MLS.”
Milan, seven-time European champions, currently sit in third place in Italy’s Serie A, trailing AS Roma and cross-town rivals Inter. Club officials said they are committed to fielding all of their star players who are not participating in World Cup duties, meaning such global stars as Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf, and Filippo Inzaghi could be in the Rossoneri side.
The Milan friendly comes just over a week after the end of the inaugural Chicago Sister Cities International Cup, a four-team tournament that will see European clubs Paris Saint-Germain, Legia Warsaw and Red Star Belgrade play a knockout tournament in Bridgeview.
