River Plate is making its way to the US to play in a trio of friendlies in early January. The four-time Copa Libertadores winners will play in Austin, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando at the homes of MLS sides Austin FC, Inter Miami and Orlando City.
However, the Argentine club is not playing those respective MLS teams. Instead, River Plate plays Monterrey on Jan. 10. Then, on Jan. 14, River plays Colombian outfit Millonarios. Ironically, one of River Plate’s nicknames is ‘los Millonarios,’ making up for an interesting fixture, for sure. Finally, River takes on Brazilian opponent Vasco da Gama on Jan. 17 at Exploria Stadium.
All of these clubs are in their offseason. The Argentine Primera starts back up in late January. Therefore, the River Plate friendlies in the US are their last chance to get up to fitness before the campaign.
River Plate friendlies in the US
River Plate is undergoing some change this season. After finishing third in the Argentine Primera last season, River brought in Martin Demichelis as manager.
If that names sounds familiar, it is because Demichelis had a long career with the Argentina National Team and a number of clubs in Europe. He spent multiple seasons at Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Malaga.
However, he started his career at River Plate, and he now makes his senior managerial debut at the club, too.
River Plate vs Monterrey – Jan. 10, 9 p.m. ET – Austin, TX
Demichelis makes his managerial debut with River Plate against Monterrey in Austin on Jan. 10. He does have coaching experience in Europe. He managed youth and B teams with Bayern Munich. Plus, Demichelis was an assistant soon after retiring at Malaga.
Monterrey is a decent team that finished the Apertura phase of Liga MX’s season in second. However, Monterrey fell to eventual winners of the Apertura phase, Pachuca, in the semifinals.
As of press time, River Plate vs Monterrey tickets are available.
River Plate vs Millonarios – Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m. ET – Fort Lauderdale, FL
This pair of South American sides are frequent competitors in the Copa Libertadores. Millonarios performed well in the Colombian Primera A, the top flight in Colombia, this past season. In the Apertura phase, the club finished top of the league in the first stage. It fell in the semifinal portion of the league. In the Clausura, Millonarios reached fourth. Then, it narrowly missed out on reaching the final by one point to Deportivo Pereira, which won the competition.
As of press time, River Plate vs Millonarios tickets are available.
Millonarios provides a great test for Demichelis in the early stages of his managerial career with River Plate.
River Plate vs Vasco da Gama – Jan. 17, 7 p.m. ET – Orlando, FL
The last of the friendlies includes Vasco da Gama. While this is not the Santos, Corinthians or Palmeiras of Brazil, Vasco da Gama is no slouch of a side. Vasco da Gama won the 1998 Copa Libertadores. However, its more recent successes include back-to-back first division championships in Brazil in 2015 and 2016.
Then, Demichelis and company head back to Argentina, where their season starts 10 days after this friendly.
Currently, tickets for River Plate vs Vasco da Gama are available.
