24.05.2015 12:03 h

Benfica replace Porto in friendly cup

Portuguese champions Benfica will replace domestic rivals Porto in the International Champions Cup friendly tournament in North America in July, organizers said Saturday.

Porto pulled out of the 10-team tournament after telling organizers they wouldn't be able to complete the full schedule.

Benfica, who wrapped up a second straight Portuguese league title last Sunday, become the sixth current top division domestic league champions participating in the friendly tournament along with Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Club America and LA Galaxy.

Benfica will play the same schedule originally set for Porto and start in Toronto, where they will face French champions Paris Saint-Germain on July 18.

They will then play Fiorentina on July 24 in East Hartford, Connecticut, then travel to New York to face the New York Red Bulls on July 26.

Benfica wrap up their tour against Mexican champions Club America on July 28 at a venue yet to be announced.

The tournament includes a blockbuster clash between Manchester United and Barcelona on July 25 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, the new state-of-the-art home of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers that is slated to host Super Bowl 50 next year.