Soccer News: New York Yankees Mariano Rivera Visits With Chelsea Football Club @ Yankee Stadium During Practice

Chelsea FC of the English Premier League (EPL) and Paris Saint-Germain of France's Ligue 1 meet today, Sunday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m., in the first-ever soccer match at today’s Yankee Stadium.

Chelsea players [From L to R] David Luiz, John Terry, Ramires and Petr Cech, along with Rivera [C], show off the spoils of their jersey exchange at Yankee Stadium yesterday.

On Saturday, New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera visited Chelsea Football Club’s training session at Timex Performance Center in East Rutherford, N.J. ‪Rivera watched Chelsea F.C. practice, then had pictures taken with the world-renowned soccer stars from across the Atlantic. Baseball’s famous pitcher who is recovering from ACL surgery on his knee less than a month ago also traded jersey with the players. 

Sports Stars Come Together: Chelsea’s Brazilian defender David Luiz [L] and Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech [R] look on as Rivera autographs one of his jerseys for them.

Rivera was quoted in the San Francisco Chronical saying "I was a soccer player in Panama," Rivera said. "I love the game. I watch soccer all the time. I have a strong passion for it. It's something I enjoy. I could have been a soccer player, but the Lord chose baseball for me. I think it was the best decision for me." Chelsea FC faces Paris-Saint Germain on Sunday in the first-ever soccer match at the current Yankee Stadium. Tickets for the match are still available.

David Luiz, John Terry, Ramires, Petr Cech and Frank Lampard practice with their team Chelsea FC in New York before today's World Football Challenge 2012 match at Yankee Stadium.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard strikes a free kick during practice with the New York City skyline in the distance