SECAUCUS, NJ - Red Bull New York and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) announced today that FC Barcelona, led by Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho, will play the Red Bulls at Giants Stadium on August 12 as part of the club's first U.S. Tour since 2003.
Barcelona, a UEFA Champions League semifinalist and runaway leader in Spain's La Liga, will travel from coast to coast, playing its first-ever matches in three of the four largest cities in the United States: Los Angeles (Sunday, Aug. 6) and Houston (Wednesday, Aug. 9) versus Mexican clubs, and in New York against the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer (Saturday, Aug. 12). Further details of the games in each city will be announced at a later date.
"In order to be a SuperClub you have to measure up against the best," said Red Bull New York President and General Manager Alexi Lalas. "This is a wonderful opportunity for our players to play against one of the elite teams in the world. And make no mistake about it, we will not be there to get autographs."
FC Barcelona, coached by Dutch midfield legend Frank Rijkaard and recognized for its spectacular brand of attacking soccer, features some of the world's greatest players, including FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho (Brazil), 18-year-old sensation Lionel Messi (Argentina), and African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon). Also in the club's ranks are a host of players who will represent their countries in the 2006 FIFA World Cup: Rafael Marquez (Mexico), Carles Puyol (Spain), Deco (Portugal) and Mark Van Bommel (Holland).
"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."
With just six games remaining, FC Barcelona holds an 11-point lead in the race for their 18th domestic Spanish championship. The reigning Spanish La Liga champions are also preparing for a UEFA Champions League semifinal series against Italy's AC Milan. The first match will be played on April 18 in Milan, Italy with the decisive return leg to be played at the Nou Camp in Barcelona on April 26. The Champions League final will be held on May 17 in Paris, France.
The Spanish giants will be making their first trip to the United States since 2003 when they played a three-game summer tour on the East Coast of the United States. FC Barcelona played at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro (2-2 vs. Juventus), at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. (2-0 win over AC Milan) and at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (3-1 loss vs. Manchester United). Following the three matches this August, the team will return to Spain to continue its preseason ahead of the kick-off to the 2006-07 La Liga season.
For ticket information, fans should visit www.nyredbulls.com.
