T2 and the Rose City will play host to English Premier League club Newcastle United FC on July 21, 2015 in a friendly match at Providence Park (7:30pm PT, TICKETS). The club last traveled to the United States in 2011, playing three matches against Sporting Kansas City, then-USL side Orlando City SC, and Columbus Crew SC. However, this will be Newcastle United's first-ever trip to the Portland. Ahead of their arrival, here's a brief primer on the storied club.
Who are Newcastle United FC?
Newcastle United FC, which currently plays in the English Premier League, has been a mainstay in English club soccer since 1892. Last season, the Magpies (more on this nickname below) finished 15th in the league table, with 39 points.
Where does the name come from?
Newcastle United FC can trace its origins all the way back to 1881. That year, the club was first founded as Stanley FC, but changed its name to Newcastle East End the following year. One decade later, when rival club Newcastle West End folded, East End moved into their old home, St. James' Park. That December, the club officially became Newcastle United FC.
Magpies?
The origin of the Magpies nickname derives from the team's signature black-and-white striped kits. The club first wore black-and-white in 1894 and has been sporting those colors ever since. The beautiful magpie crow, which displays its own beautiful black-and-white plumage, has become an unofficial symbol of the club and is, some believe, the reason behind the original 1894 color change.
Club legends and current players
Few Newcastle players have impacted the club as much as Alan Shearer did. The English goalscorer scored 206 goals in 404 games with Newcastle. In the 1996-1997 Premier League season, Shearer scored 25 goals for the club, finishing as the season's top goalscorer and helping the Magpies to a second-place league finish.
The Magpies' current roster features several players of note.
Starting in back, goalkeeper Tim Krul is a Dutchman perhaps most famous for coming in as a late substitute in the Netherlands' 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup. Dutch manager Louis van Gaal brought in Krul specifically for the ensuing penalty kick shootout and Krul repaid his coach's faith, stopping two of the five penalties he faced and helping the Netherlands earn a berth in the semifinals.
Captaining the team from his spot in central defense, Argentine Fabricio Coloccini brings veteran poise and ample experience to the club. Since joining Newcastle ahead of the 2008-2009 season, the 33 year-old Coloccini has appeared in 245 games for the Magpies, including 185 Premier League games.
In midfield, French international Moussa Sissoko pulls the strings. The box-to-box midfielder is known for his deep, probing runs forward and his imposing style of defensive play. Sissoko immediately endeared himself to the Newcastle faithful by scoring twice against Chelsea FC in his home debut, including a 90th minute game winner.
Up top, Newcastle is led by forward Papiss Cissé. Last season, the 30 year-old Senegalese international scored 11 goals for the Magpies. In his Newcastle career, Cissé has scored 41 goals in 86 appearances and scored 11 goals in his first 10 Premier League games in 2012.
The Magpies roster also features two players who’ve played in Portland before, albeit for a different team. In 2011, Siem de Jong and Vurnon Anita both featured for Ajax in a friendly on May 25 with Anita contributing an assist in the Dutch side’s 2-0 win over Portland.
Another young player to watch is central defender Jamaal Lascelles. The Guardian recently singled out the former Nottingham Forest defender as one of its 20 players to watch this preseason. Newcastle is struggling with depth in central defense and Lascelles will have an opportunity on this preseason tour to solidify a place for himself in coach Steve McClaren's starting lineup.
Newcastle's Coach
On June 10, Newcastle appointed former English National Team manager Steve McClaren as head coach. McClaren, who has also had coaching stints at Newcastle, Wolfsburg, FC Twente, and Derby County, replaces interim manager and former Toronto FC head coach John Carver.
Preseason Tour
Newcastle has been busy across the U.S. this summer. They opened their American tour with a 2-1 loss to Liga MX's Club Atlas at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wis. They then played Sacramento Republic FC on July 18 to a 1-0 victory.
