MLS
Barcelona Announces Summer U.S. Tour
By Shane Killian
April 12, 2006
American soccer fans will get an opportunity to see the best player in the world and one of its best teams when Barcelona and Ronaldinho visit the United States for a three game tour in August.
Soccer United Marketing will bring the Spanish giants to Los Angeles, Houston and New York for their first U.S. appearances since their last tour in 2003. Not all of their opponents have been determined but they will take on the New York Red Bulls in their final game on August 12th. Barcelona is expected to take on two Mexican teams in the other games -- August 6th in Los Angeles and August 9th in Houston.
"This summer's FC Barcelona Tour promises to be one of the greatest soccer events ever to be played on U.S. soil," said MLS Commissioner and SUM CEO Don Garber. "Everyone who loves soccer will get to see the magic of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi with their own eyes. Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing are honored to bring Barcelona's exhilarating style of play to our fans."
Barcelona is currently a semifinalist in the prestigious Champions League for the ninth time and is atop the Spanish League standings with 70 points, 11 more than its closest rivals Valencia and Real Madrid. It needs only eight points from its six remaining games to win back-to-back league titles for the first time since the 1997-98 and 98-99 seasons.
Besides Ronaldinho, the team is loaded with world class players including 18-year-old sensation Lionel Messi, African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o, Rafael Marquez, Carles Puyol and Deco.
It is unclear at this point whether the team will be bringing its complete first team.
"It is a good moment for FC Barcelona to promote its image in the great country of the U.S.," said FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta. "We are sure that, with the cooperation of MLS, Barca will become more recognizable among the North American public. We also believe that the presence of our team -- and our star players -- will assist the promotion and growth of soccer in the United States."
Tickets for the FC Barcelona Tour will be available to the general public through MLS clubs in each city (Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls), with packages featuring MLS matches.