There will be as much intrigue in the stands as there will be on the pitch when Everton face Minnesota United in the club's second game of pre-season.
A near-sold out crowd at Allianz Field - as well as Blues fans around the world - will have their eyes on how events play out on the pitch as Frank Lampard continues to experiment with his squad. Academy prospects and players who spent last year on loan or on the periphery of the first team will once again have an opportunity to make their case for greater involvement in the coming season.
But attention will also be paid over whether representatives of the US consortium involved in discussions about a possible takeover of Everton, since ruled out by majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, attend the game. Key figures involved in the talks are based in Minneapolis, the 'twin city' of neighbouring St Paul, where the game will be played.
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Had events unfolded differently, Everton's visit to the North Star state could have held far more significance than expected when it was booked as the third destination of the club's pre-season US tour. Last month it emerged a US-based consortium led by former Chelsea and Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon was in talks with Mr Moshiri about taking control of the club. Those backing the Kenyon-fronted bid were reportedly keen to have a deal agreed in time for Everton's visit to Minnesota. A period of exclusivity expired without a deal being struck, however, and the biggest development since as been Mr Moshiri's public insistence the Blues are "not for sale".
The consortium involved in the talks was to be funded by US real estate tycoon Maciek Kaminski and mining and investment magnate John Thornton. It is thought they were hoping to purchase Everton and acquire a portfolio of clubs through the fledgling KAM Sports LLC operation.
Mr Kaminski is the head of the Kaminski group and accrued his wealth through retail, commercial and residential real estate across Middle America through his firm Talon Real Estate - based in the Blackstone area of Minneapolis, less than 10 miles from the hotel being used by Everton during the second leg of its US tour.
The prospect of the city becoming a major HQ for a Premier League football club has made few waves in the sports and business communities of Minneapolis - and may never do so after Mr Moshiri's most recent comments. In an open letter to Everton supporters, published last week, he wrote: "There has been much talk of investment in our football club recently – even takeovers – but I want to clarify that there is no ‘for sale’ sign currently hanging outside Everton Football Club.
"It will always be pragmatic to explore all potential investment opportunities and, as I have been transparent about, I am actively focused on completing the financing for our fantastic new stadium as well as strengthening the playing squad and that might include a search for minority investment. That will continue. But I want to reassure all of you that Everton Football Club is not for sale."
The US consortium that had been in talks with Mr Moshiri quickly became aware of the comments - but has not commented since its representatives released a statement on July 5, after the exclusivity deal expired, in which it said: "We respectfully remain interested in acquiring the club as we believe its fans deserve nothing less than the best, and our offer to achieve this stands."
An indication over whether the group genuinely retains its interest may be available at the Allianz Field and in the corporate seats or directors box. Everton will be in town. Will the people interested in buying the club be watching?
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