RB Leipzig has announced that they will play preseason matches in the United States this summer. The upcoming trip is set to be the first American tour for the German side in their history. While the club has established itself as a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a> powerhouse, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/rb-leipzig-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-united-states/">Leipzig</a> was only just formed back in 2009.



“This will be our first preseason outside of Europe, and with the USA we decided to go to a key target market for our club,” <a href="https://rbleipzig.com/en/news/2023-2024/rb-leipzig-us-tour-summer-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> Leipzig general manager Johann Plenge.



“We’ve brought the world of soccer back to Leipzig with our exciting European runs in recent years and as a host city for Euro 2024. Now we’re bringing Leipzig to the world! We want to take advantage of our good and special connection to New York and strengthen it for years to come. It’s an important step for us, but also for the Bundesliga, which rightly enjoys a great reputation in the U.S.”



<h2>RB Leipzig to face Villa as part of USA tour</h2>



Leipzig’s American tour is set to be based in the New York area and will last from July 28th to August 4th. The move certainly makes sense considering their connections with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> side <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/new-york-red-bulls-tv-schedule/">New York Red Bulls</a>. Former Leipzig star Emil Forsberg also recently joined the American team back in January as well.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240425_WST_503444_Emil-Forsberg-Leipzig-1200x670_586f42d3.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-503470" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Emil-Forsberg-Leipzig-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Emil-Forsberg-Leipzig-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Emil-Forsberg-Leipzig-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Emil-Forsberg-Leipzig.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Although the same company owns the two teams, they are not currently scheduled to face off this summer. Instead, Leipzig has revealed that their first preseason friendly will come against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/aston-villa-tv-schedule/">Aston Villa</a>. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> club is scheduled to play three summer matches in the States as well. The matchup against the two potential 2024/25 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> clubs will take place on July 31st at 8 p.m. ET at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.



Leipzig is also planning a second friendly in America as well. An official opponent has not yet been announced for this particular matchup. Nevertheless, the club has declared that the game will take place somewhere on the East Coast. The German side has, however, scheduled various events in the New York area before they depart. This includes revealing their new 2024/25 jerseys, autograph sessions, and public practices.



<h2>Leipzig executive says Villa matchup likely air on ESPN</h2>



While official broadcasting plans for the friendly between Leipzig and Villa have not yet been announced, there are suggestions that the match will be available to watch on ESPN. 



Asked whether the game will be televised by Bundesliga’s USA TV partner ESPN, RB Leipzig general manager Johann Plenge told World Soccer Talk, ”Yes, there are plans, and we’re working on them not only for the fans in the U.S. but also for the fans in Germany.”



Historically speaking, Leipzig has several links to the U.S. outside of sharing ownership with the MLS club. Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> forward Terrence Boyd and current American star Tyler Adams both previously played for the German outfit. Jesse Marsch also coached at Leipzig after departing NYRB in 2018 as well.



Leipzig now becomes the latest high-profile European club to schedule a summer tour of the U.S. Several top English and Spanish sides are on the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/schedule-of-soccer-friendlies-in-us-this-summer/">schedule of summer friendlies in the United States</a>. Also, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule/">AC Milan</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/wrexham-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-usa/">Wrexham</a> revealed their plans to play Stateside.



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RB Leipzig joins host of clubs with summer tour in USA

Bundesliga club RB Leipzig has officially announced that they will play their first international tour in the USA this summer.

RB Leipzig joins host of clubs with summer tour in USA - World Soccer Talk

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RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Emil Forsberg is reportedly close to making a move to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/new-york-red-bulls-tv-schedule/">New York Red Bulls</a>. The potential switch makes sense considering the two teams are underneath the same umbrella. Red Bull GmbH currently owns both clubs, as well as a plethora of other teams around the globe as well.



<a href="https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/rb-leipzig/umgang-respektlos-was-max-eberl-mit-dem-forsberg-abgang-zu-tun-hat-86090520.bild.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bild</a> claims that Forsberg was interested in signing a contract extension to remain with Leipzig. Previous discussions between the player and former Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl took place earlier this summer. Forsberg was even apparently willing to lower salary demands to remain with the German team. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/sweden-national-team-tv-schedule/">Sweden</a> international’s current deal is not set to expire until the summer of 2025.



Eberl then reportedly submitted the contract offer to Forsberg’s agent. The deal, however, was seen by the player as drastically low. According to the aforementioned news outlet, the Swede was shocked and even disrespected by the offer. Leipzig <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/rb-leipzig-sacks-sporting-director-as-exec-linked-with-bayern-20230930-WST-459469.html">eventually fired</a> Eberl in September for an apparent lack of commitment to the team.



<h2>New York Red Bulls offer Emil Forsberg 4-year contract</h2>



Although Forsberg’s move to the United States is not yet set in stone, other outlets and reporters are picking up the story. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano is claiming that the midfielder is set to join NYRB in January. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> side has offered Forsberg a four-year contract, with the final year being optional. Both sides still have to iron out final details and sign the deal for it to be made official.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231114_WST_469991_Forsberg-Leipzig-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-470035" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Forsberg-Leipzig-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Forsberg-Leipzig-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Forsberg-Leipzig-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/Forsberg-Leipzig.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Moving between the Red Bull clubs, Emil Forsberg is one of the first major names to go from Europe to MLS.</figcaption></figure>



Forsberg has been a fan favorite at Leipzig since arriving way back in January 2015. The Swede initially joined the German side from Malmo for around $4 million. While the fee wasn’t exceptionally high, the creative midfielder quickly became a mainstay in the team. With Forsberg in the team, Leipzig earned promotion to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a> in 2016.



The move up to the German top flight did not affect Forsberg’s play. The attacker led the Bundesliga in assists in his first season in the division. As a result, he was in the Bundesliga Team of the Season for 2016/17 as well. Forsberg helped create a dynamic partnership with Timo Werner and Marcel Sabitzer during his early years with the club. In total, the Swede has racked up 69 goals and 67 assists in just over 300 total matches for the German club.



<h2>Fan favorite has seen playing time reduce in recent seasons</h2>



Forsberg has remained loyal to Leipzig during his nine years at the club. This was even though several high-profile clubs came calling for the attacker over the years. AC Milan, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United all had links with Forsberg. The display of loyalty, along with playing well on the pitch, helped Forsberg become a popular figure with the Leipzig fans. 



Nevertheless, the attacker has seen his playing time slowly dwindle in recent seasons. Forsberg managed just 20 total appearances in Leipzig’s starting lineup since the start of the 2022/23 season. This is a span of 45 domestic top-flight games.



The potential move to NYRB will, however, keep Forsberg associated with Red Bull ownership. The MLS side finished eighth during the 2023 season. MLS Supporters’ Shield winners <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/fc-cincinnati-tv-schedule-the-orange-and-blue/">FC Cincinnati</a> knocked NYRB out of the playoffs just two weeks ago. Forsberg should help a club that racked up just 36 goals in 34 league matches during the year.



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Emil Forsberg set to join RBNY from RB Leipzig in January deal

Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls has reprotedly agreed a long-term contract with RB Leipzig star Emil Forsberg.

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RB Leipzig joins host of clubs with summer tour in USA

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Emil Forsberg set to join RBNY from RB Leipzig in January deal