Bolton Wanderers Expand US 2011 Summer Tour to Include Orlando

Bolton Wanderers, one of the founding members of the Football League and four-time winners of the FA Cup, have expanded their 2011 US summer tour to include one more stop. Previously Bolton had announced a friendly date with Houston Dynamo. Now, Bolton Wanderers have also announced a preseason friendly against Orlando City in Florida on Sunday, July 17.

The match between Bolton and USL side Orlando City will be played at the Citrus Bowl in downtown Orlando.

“It is great news that we can bring both Newcastle and Bolton to Orlando,” said Orlando City President Phil Rawlins. “Over the past few years Bolton has established themselves as a top class EPL team and under Owen Coyle’s leadership they have become an exciting attacking team to watch. We are delighted they have chosen to come to Orlando and play us in their preseason preparation.”

The July 17 friendly against Bolton Wanderers will be the second game that Orlando City is playing against Premier League opposition. Orlando also plays Newcastle United in a friendly on July 23. The location of that game has yet to be decided. EPL Talk understands that Newcastle has stipulated the game must be played on grass. However, the Citrus Bowl uses Astro Turf so a nearby venue will have to be selected instead. The friendly against Bolton, meanwhile, will be played at the Citrus Bowl despite the Astro Turf.

Bolton joins fellow Premier League sides Manchester United, Manchester City,Everton and Newcastle United who have already announced tours of their own.