Liverpool Vs. Roma 2012: Soccer Returns To Fenway Park

In its 100 years of existence, Fenway Park has played host to countless thousands of baseball games, innumerable concerts, and even a smattering of hockey games and other events. On Wednesday night, though, Fenway will play host to an event rarely seen in the Cathedral of Boston; a soccer match.

Legendary English club Liverpool FC and Italian giants AS Roma will face off as part of their respective American preseason tours at Fenway Park. Liverpool is owned by John Henry and Fenway Sports Group, the same company that owns the Boston Red Sox, and Roma by Thomas Di Benedetto, one of Henry's business associates.

Liverpool kicked off their tour last weekend with a 1-1 draw against MLS club Toronto FC, while Roma drubbed Polish side Zaglebie Lubin in Chicago to the tune of 4-0. Both teams are expected to contend for Champions' League spots in their respective leagues.

The clubs' American connections don't stop at ownership. AS Roma recently purchased USA international Michael Bradley. Bradley, who has earned 69 caps and 10 goals with the United States, recently arrived in the Italian capital from Chievo Verona, and will have the opportunity to work with Italian international Daniele De Rossi and Argentinian midfielder Fernando Gago.

For Liverpool, manager Brendan Rodgers will be keeping an eye on new signing Fabio Borini, who is expected to make major contributions for the English club after a disappointing 2011-2012 season.

The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2/ESPN3 at 6:30 PM EST.

For more soccer coverage, visit our soccer hub, as well as our Liverpool blogs Anfield Asylum and Liverpool Offside, and our AS Roma blog Chiesa di Totti.