A dozen Major League Soccer and international clubs are set to train and compete this pre-season at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., with a number of teams arriving on a rolling basis for training, Jan. 25 - Feb. 15. Following the training period, eight separate clubs will arrive for the inaugural IMG Suncoast Pro Classic, Feb. 18-28.
The tournament will feature a round robin competition format with the top two teams from each bracket moving on to the championship match. Bracket 1 will comprise Toronto FC (MLS), New York Red Bulls (MLS), HB Koge (Denmark; Danish First Division) and Oklahoma City Energy FC (USL PRO). Bracket 2 will include the Philadelphia Union (MLS), Columbus Crew SC (MLS), TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of the Congo; Linafoot League) and the Costa Rica U23 Men’s National Team.
The tentative schedule for the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic is as follows:
Feb. 18
- 12 p.m. – Columbus Crew SC vs. TP Mazembe (Field 1)
- 2:30 p.m. – Philadelphia Union vs. Costa Rica U-23 (Field 1)
- 5 p.m. – New York Red Bulls vs. HB Koge (IMG Academy Stadium)
- 7:30 p.m. – Toronto FC vs. Oklahoma City Energy (IMG Academy Stadium)
Feb. 21
- 12 p.m. – Toronto FC vs. HB Koge (Field 1)
- 2:30 p.m. – New York Red Bulls vs. Oklahoma City Energy (Field 1)
- 5 p.m. – Columbus Crew SC vs. Costa Rica U23 (IMG Academy Stadium)
- 7:30 p.m. – TP Mazembe vs. Philadelphia Union (IMG Academy Stadium)
Feb. 25
- 12 p.m. – Costa Rica U-23 vs. TP Mazembe (Field 1)
- 2:30 p.m. – Oklahoma City Energy vs. HB Koge (Field 1)
- 5 p.m. – Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew (IMG Academy Stadium)
- 7:30 pm – Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls (IMG Academy Stadium)
Feb. 28
- 12 p.m. – Consolation match (Field 1)
- 2:30 pm. – Consolation match (Field 1)
- 5 p.m. – Third place match (IMG Academy Stadium)
- 7:30 p.m. – Championship Final (IMG Academy Stadium)
Prior to the tournament, clubs who will conduct preseason training at IMG Academy include MLS teams D.C. United (Jan. 24 - Feb. 6) and FC Dallas (Feb. 1- 8), as well as Swedish clubs Malmö FF (Allsvenskan; Feb. 2 - 13) and Jönköpings Södra IF (Superettan; Feb. 2 - 9).
The tentative schedule for pre-tournament friendlies is as follows:
- Jan. 30 – D.C. United vs. Orlando City SC (MLS), 7 p.m.
- Feb. 3 – D.C. United vs. Jönköpings Södra IF, 7 p.m.
- Feb. 6 – D.C. United vs. Malmö FF, 12 p.m.
- Feb. 7 – FC Dallas vs. Jönköpings Södra IF, 7 p.m.
- Feb. 12 – Malmö FF vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies , 7 p.m.
All match times are subject to change. The most up-to-date schedule and ticketing information for the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic will be available online at the following link; tournament day passes and bundles available: http://www.imgsuncoastproclassic.com.
A community kickoff event is slated for February 16 in downtown Lakewood Ranch and will include opportunities for fans to meet players from participating teams. Details to follow.
