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Cardiff City have confirmed that they will be heading out to the United States and Canada for a three-match pre-season tour this summer.

It's the first time they've ventured abroad under boss Neil Warnock, who's previously preferred to tour Devon and Cornwall as part of his pre-season preparations.

The Bluebirds will take on New Mexico United and San Antonio FC, before ending with a trip to Edmonton, Canada, to face an as of yet unconfirmed opponent.

Here's the full lowdown on what Cardiff, and indeed the hardy fans willing to make the journey over, can expect from the trip.

SAN ANTONIO FC

Who are they?

The franchise was founded three years ago and currently competes in the USL Championship, the level below Major League Soccer.

Its formation was with a view to eventually joining the MLS, but the team has experienced mixed fortunes.

Despite reaching the semi-finals of the Western Conference play-offs in 2017, the club finished ninth last year and is currently sitting in 16th this season.

Nevertheless, the team is reasonably well supported, attracting average crowds of around 6,000, and their match with Warnock's side will be the first time a Premier League team past or present has ever played in the city.

What have they said?

Managing Director Tim Holt

“We are delighted to host what will be an historic event for the Alamo City in July.

“Our supporters have encouraged us to bring a top overseas opponent with a storied history to Toyota Field, and we are excited to have the opportunity to test ourselves against a club as accomplished as Cardiff City FC.”

The ground

Not to be confused with Toyota Stadium, the home of FC Dallas, or Toyota Park, the home of Chicago Fire, Toyota Field is the city's only soccer-specific stadium.

First opened in 2013, it currently has a capacity of just over 8,000, and was once home to previous soccer franchise, the San Antonio Scorpions. It's also hosted a game of Major League Rugby.

(Image: Tcardone05/Creative Commons)

Player to watch

In what's been a difficult season, experienced defender Kai Greene has shone for San Antonio, playing every single minute of the team's campaign so far.

No player in a San Antonio shirt has yet won as many tackles as the 25-year old this season.

Cardiff City's pre-season schedule Friday 5th July - Taff's Well - Rhiw'r Ddar (7pm BST) Friday 12th July - Larkhall Athletic - Securitas UK Stadium, Bath (7:30pm BST) Saturday 13th July - San Antonio - Toyota Field Stadium, San Antonio (7pm CDT) Thursday 18th July - New Mexico United - UNM Soccer Stadium, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (8:30pm MDT) Saturday 20th July - Real Valladolid - Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada (TBC) Saturday 27th July - OGC Nice - Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff (3pm BST)

NEW MEXICO UNITED

Who are they?

Founded just last year, the team also plies its trade in the USL Championship.

The franchise is on course for a hugely successful first season, and is currently sitting top of the league's western conference.

United has captured the imagination of locals too, with average crowds at Isotopes Park reaching around 12,000.

Fans of the Simpsons will instantly recognise the name of United's stadium, a tip of the hat to the episode 'Hungry, hungry Homer', where Homer Simpson discovers that his beloved baseball team are moving to Albuquerque and goes on hunger strike in a bid to foil the plans.

When local baseball franchise, the Albuquerque Dukes moved to Portland in 2001, the city was forced to form a new team, and in a poll conducted by the Albuquerque Journal, 67 per cent of readers picked the 'Isotopes' as the name of the new team.

As a result, there are numerous references to the long-running sitcom scattered around the stadium, including statues of Marge, Homer, Lisa and Bart.

What have they said?

Owner and CEO Peter Trevisani

“This friendly match against Cardiff is an amazing opportunity for the entire state of New Mexico to be placed on a global stage,” said Owner and CEO Peter Trevisani.

“Our team will have the opportunity to make a strong statement to the world about who we are and about the community that propels us. Cardiff’s supporters travelling for this match will have the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere that the Land of Enchantment provides.”

Head Coach Troy Lesesne

“We want to continue to raise the bar for our club in every endeavor we enter into and this international friendly versus Cardiff will be another historic night for our organization. I'm excited to see our players test themselves against a club with a rich history in England's Premier League and Championship.”

The ground

Unfortunately for Simpsons fans, the game with the Bluebirds will be held at the University of New Mexico's Soccer Complex.

The intimate ground has a capacity of just 7,000 and is situated just across the road from the team's regular home, and sits in the shadow of the 39,000-capacity Dreamstyle Stadium, which is mainly used for American Football.

Player to watch

It has to be Jamaican forward Kevaughn Frater.

At the time of writing, the 24-year old had netted an impressive 10 goals in 11 games for United so far this season.