Friday, May 8, 2009

Galaxy to Face FC Barcelona Aug. 1 at the Rose Bowl


The LA Galaxy announced today the club will play an international friendly against FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most popular and successful clubs – and the current UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey finalists – on Saturday, August 1 at 8 p.m. at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

Tickets to see the Spanish giant, whose honors include 18 La Liga trophies, a record-setting 24 Copa del Rey championships and two UEFA Champions League titles, will go on sale to the general public in the coming weeks.

This international match will be included in the Galaxy full season seat plan as Bonus Game Four (4).

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to play one of the best clubs in the world, FC Barcelona. It is not often that you are able to take on a Champions League Finalist,” said Galaxy President of Business Operations Tom Payne. “This summer is shaping up to be an exciting one for Galaxy fans with AC Milan and Barcelona coming to Los Angeles, in addition to our continued quest for a third MLS Cup championship.”

With The Home Depot Center unavailable for this game as a result of the X Games, the Galaxy will be returning to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2002. During the club’s seven years at the iconic Pasadena venue, the Galaxy boasted an impressive 72-27-8 home record.

“We are looking forward to returning to our first home at the Rose Bowl, a world class venue which will forever hold a special place in our club’s history,” added Payne.

FC Barcelona, whose heralded roster of international superstars currently includes Lionel Messi, Rafa Marquez, Xavi, Carles Puyol, Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta – who scored the goal that propelled Barca into the Champions League Final – will look to secure its third UEFA Champions League crown on Wednesday, May 27 against Manchester United, at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

Barca is in the midst of one of their best campaigns in recent history, and are in position to win all three of their major tournaments: Spain’s La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey. After defeating Real Madrid 6-2 in La Liga’s Clasico this past weekend, Barcelona is at the top of its league’s standings with 85 points, and within range of conquering their 19th domestic title. The club also advanced to the final of the prestigious Copa del Rey, where they will face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, May 13.

4 comments:

MattJack said...

I predict 7-1 Barca...

with a 6-0 score at half..

We suck and these games will make us the laughing stock we already are around the world. but AEG will make a few more $$$ and continue to not actually care about the STHs and Fans that show up every game no matter how they are doing..

charlesj27 said...

FC Barcelona achieved this year what their incredible manager and head coach wanted his very own boyhood club to achieve - one of the most fluid, dynamic, incredible attacking soccer that this planet have to offer. Yes, it is an incredible opportunity and chance for us fans to see this club and its players in our home-town... but, those of us who care so much about our home-town club are just as anxious and worried. To have our club play and to be made to look likre pre-school children in front of geniuses is not our idea of fun & comfort. If LA Galaxy wants to take this match-up seriously - then, it (the club & players) have incredible amounts of tactics, skills, drills, and manuevers to work on... There is no way, Pep Guardiola is going to allow his club to come in and play "roll over, pooch". I am extremely happy at the chance to see FC Barcelona and AC Milan - but, it is going to rip my collective gut & soul to see my LA Galaxy humiliated. This LA Galaxy team have the members, the chances, the potential to be really good - to play a strong, unified soccer that would make other teams envious... it has the experience - but, it so desparately needs strong, tough lessons in execution & finish!
Honestly, please - take a moment to think: Alan Gordon vs. Thierry Henry... allow your mind's eye to play it out - That's right, tears & wailing is what I'm picturing!

Bleier said...

This will be a lot of fun for the players and the fans.

Who cares if it's 4-0.

unless there's a handball in the box 4-1

Anonymous said...

Do you idiots want your MLS teams play these super clubs or not? Or you rather they play each other in rip-off friendlies that won't make money for our league so they won't go belly up like the others before them. Stop bitching, not many teams are able to compete with these guys much less MLS teams. So, enjoy the spectacle, get your butts in the seats at MLS games demand that your sons and daughters learn to play this game correctly and someday we will compete with them evenly.