CELTIC IN THE USA – 2001
Almost 20 years after their last visit, Celtic were again back in the USA. In January 2001, the Bhoys played twice in Florida, winning both of the matches.
Celtic were based in Tampa, and won 5-1 in a closed-doors game against University of South Florida Bulls before drawing 2-2 with Tampa Bay Mutiny.
This mid-season break must have helped Celtic. They returned home to win a first Treble since 1969.
CELTIC IN THE USA – 2003
Two years later, Celtic took part in a two-game US tour. Playing in Seattle and Cleveland, Celtic lost one and won one.
These games were held as part of The ChampionsWorld tournament. Playing in Seattle – at the Seattle Seahawks Stadium – Celtic went down to 4-0 to Man United.
However the second game was much better. In another American Football stadium – the Brown’s Stadium, home to the Cleveland Browns – Celtic beat Boca Juniors 1-0, thanks to a Chris Sutton goal.
CELTIC IN THE USA – 2004
Celtic returned to the USA in 2004, playing four games as part of another ChampionsWorld tournament. Despite being in America, all of the Bhoys’ matches took place against European teams.
This was less than successful for Celtic. They were defeated 4-2 by Chelsea, 5-1 by Liverpool and 1-0 by Roma. However, Philadelphia proved to be the happiest ground as Celtic beat Man United 2-1.
Despite all of the big-name teams, the tournament was generally a flop. Significant financial losses were made by the organisers, which saw the ChampionsWorld being wound up as a result.
CELTIC IN THE USA – 2006
Celtic’s 2006 US tour took them to three of the USA’s most famous cities. In three matches with US teams, Celtic failed to claim even one victory.
Playing in Washington DC, New York and Boston, it was problematic for Celtic. They lost to DC United and New England Revolution, and also drew with Chivas USA, playing in the famous Giants stadium.
In fact, Celtic only scored once in the three fixtures!
CELTIC IN THE USA – 2007
Another US trip – this time in 2007 – involved games in Colorado and Illinois.
Playing in Denver at the amusingly titled ‘Dick’s Sporting Goods Park’, Celtic lost 2-0 to an MLS All-Stars team.
Celtic then drew 1-1 with Chicago Fire at the less interestingly named Toyota Park in Bridgeview.
CELTIC IN CANADA – 2009
Two years after an American trip, the Celts went to Canada for a one-off game. They faced Portuguese side Benfica.
The match – held in Toronto – was part of the CNE Cup, a tournament previously won by the Celts. However, this time it was not so positive as the Bhoys fell to a 3-1 defeat from the Lisbon men.
CELTIC IN THE USA AND CANADA – 2010
In this US and Canadian tour, Celtic won two games – one after penalties – and lost two. In fact, Celtic lost the first two games – versus Philadelphia Union and Manchester United – before beating Seattle Sounders and Sporting Lisbon.
The latter game – a battle of the Hoops – took place at the famous Baseball ground, Fenway Park. After a 1-1 draw, Celtic won 6-5 on penalties to be awarded the Fenway Football Challenge Trophy.
CELTIC IN THE USA – 2012
This was a strange US trip as it came after the Scottish domestic season had started. However the money on offer to play Real Madrid in Philadelphia was too attractive to turn down.
40,000 fans gathered at the Lincoln Financial Field to watch the Spanish team claim a 2-0 victory.
As part of this trip, Celtic also took part in a memorial event for those people who left Ireland during ‘An Gorta Mor’ (the Great Hunger) and ended up in the USA.
CELTIC IN THE USA – 2024
Celtic’s most recent transatlantic trip came in July 2024. Three games were played all across the USA, and the Celts put in some ‘four-midable’ performances.
In the opening game, the Bhoys faced local team DC United in Washington DC, with the Glasgow men easily winning 4-3. Celtic then followed this up with a 4-3 victory over Manchester City in North Carolina.
In the final match, Celtic faced Chelsea. The Bhoys kept up their remarkable four goals record, this time winning 4-1 at the Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana.
SOUTH BEND, IN – JULY 27: Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez 1 defends the goal during the friendly soccer match between Chelsea and Celtic on July 27, 2024, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire SOCCER: JUL 27 Chelsea vs Celtic EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon240727011
The Celts have had many memorable and exciting moments in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Hopefully Scotland can do similar this summer as they feature in their first World Cup Finals for almost three decades.
Matthew Marr
I am sailing, I am sailing
Home again ‘cross the sea
I am sailing stormy waters
To be near you, to be free.
Lovely blog post.