One thing that stands out concerning the English Premier League is its soundtrack.
It is charming how every membership, it appears, has a trademark tune. And so they aren’t peppy struggle songs you’d clap to from marching bands at U.S. schools. They’re extra like golden oldies, songs you’d have a imprecise recollection of listening to as a baby whereas driving within the automotive together with your dad and mom or grandparents.
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Songs like Elvis Presley’s
That’s ’s tune, and the membership has leaned into it throughout a short, but productive, Music Metropolis keep.
Sunderland had a contingent go to Graceland. The group wore its new pink uniforms for a July 25 preseason recreation at Geodis Park in opposition to EPL rival , whereas borrowing the track’s line and saying that “Some Issues Have been Meant to Be.”
(Observe: There’s an opportunity you noticed this new uniform being pitched on a billboard whereas driving in Nashville the previous few days, and when you did, there’s a good higher probability you had no clue what you have been taking a look at.)
Jul 25, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Sunderland midfielder Enzo Le Price (28) celebrates his objective with midfielder Luke O’Nien (13) in opposition to Liverpool throughout the first half of a pleasant at GEODIS Park. Obligatory Credit score: Steve Roberts-Imagn Photographs
It was clear that Sunderland, an ascending EPL membership recognized extensively for of the previous decade, a following in North America.
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Liverpool didn’t exude that very same ambition.
Didn’t must, actually.
When the acquainted strands of performed as starters from each golf equipment walked onto the sector at Geodis Park, it was a teary spotlight within the quick historical past of Nashville’s soccer stadium.
Liverpool’s famed track, a present tune by way of Gerry & The Pacemakers, is among the most acknowledged by sports activities followers across the globe. Very similar to Liverpool’s membership itself.
Of the introduced attendance of 24,897 for this Nashville exhibition, most (however not all) of these within the seats seemed to be supporting Liverpool. The distinction turned evident earlier than the Reds beat Sunderland 4-2, scoring three consecutive second-half targets to beat a 2-1 deficit.
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“So many Liverpool followers round, even within the stroll this morning,” mentioned Liverpool’s Kieran Morrison, who scored the primary of the 4 targets. “Liverpool followers have gotten the very best fan base on this planet, wherever you go . . . It’s the largest membership on this planet. You’re going to get that (turnout).”
There’s a robust connection between and Liverpool within the type of Ian Ayre, the CEO who directed NSC’s growth entry into Main League Soccer. and has continued to assist the membership in Nashville.
No disgrace, certainly, for Sunderland having fewer followers in Nashville than prestigious Liverpool, particularly as a result of the Black Cats did have noticeable assist in attendance to associate with their feline mascot couple.
“You see the dimensions of the membership Liverpool are, and we simply bought again within the Premier League,” Sunderland defender mentioned. “To see so many Sunderland followers right here was surprising, actually. It’s sensible. We thank them for popping out.”
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This recreation, whereas entertaining, was solely a preseason exhibition with the game’s stars nonetheless catching their breath from the World Cup. That made it loads like a preseason recreation within the NFL. You did not see a lot of long-term significance. Either side, predictably, performed a bunch of kids seeking to show themselves. You can charge people, however you weren’t getting a lot of an impression for the season forward.
For a neighborhood fan, this wasn’t a full-course Premier League meal. It was extra like a snack. A tasty one, although.
Liverpool and Sunderland performed a enjoyable, free-flowing, high-scoring, entertaining recreation. As tends to occur in soccer settings with out repercussions for miscues, this was a great present, full with just a few scrumptious targets that have been emblematic of the world’s finest soccer league.
Premier League golf equipment like to go to the U.S. within the preseason. Simply final summer season, at Geodis Park, a outcome that allowed the native MLS membership the bragging rights of claiming it tied a Villa group that’d go on to — forward of Liverpool (fifth) and Sunderland (seventh) — out of 20 groups.
Jul 25, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Sunderland defender Reinildo Mandava (17) and Liverpool midfielder Kieran Morrison (68) struggle for the ball throughout the first half of a pleasant at GEODIS Park. Obligatory Credit score: Steve Roberts-Imagn Photographs
The Premier League has grown exponentially in america up to now 20 years, most notably by means of the efforts of polished NBC broadcasts and . An American TV viewer is extra more likely to encounter EPL groups like Liverpool or Sunderland than groups from MLS, which hides most of its video games behind an Apple TV paywall.
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What will not occur, nonetheless, is the EPL taking part in regular-season video games on this nation. That’s a serious distinction between Europe and North America, the place all main professional sports activities leagues are taking part in extra worldwide regular-season video games. The NFL has performed 62 regular-season video games outdoors america, and this season it’ll play greater than ever. A complete of 16 NFL groups — half the league — throughout the 2026 season, spanning seven overseas international locations and 4 continents.
Homeowners, gamers and followers within the NFL are OK with letting that occur. European soccer? No, sir.
Spain’s La Liga tried to place an recreation in Miami final season as a counter to within the U.S., and due to the backlash.
After we benefit from the Premier League in particular person right here in America, it’ll be on nice summer season nights just like the one at Geodis Park, the place locals might benefit from the expertise on show and exit buzzing a tune.
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