LA Galaxy vs. FC Barcelona

[Chaplin]

Big friendly this Saturday and I'll be sitting about 50 feet from the field! Looking forward to the game even though I don't think the Galaxy have a chance.

What do I care though, Barca is my favorite team in the world, so I win no matter what. My favorite MLS team vs. my favorite team, period. Doesn't get much better than that here in the good old US of A.

 

[gr000000vy]

wear an england shirt and make fun of Posh to Beckham... maybe you will get on TV....

 

[English on tour]

Enjoy the game mate

I saw them play Hearts at Murrayfield (Scotland's rugby union ground) a year or two ago and the place was sold out. I just happened to be in Edinbrugh but there were at lot people who travelled a long way to see Barca. I think it was about 5-1 and they just took the piss second half.

 

[Chaplin]

Great game! Even though the scoreline didn't reflect it, Barca pretty much taught the Galaxy how to play European soccer. It was interesting because Pep made wholesale changes in the 2nd half, substituting everyone. Seemed like the only guy that didn't play was Iniesta. (Not sure why, he was out on the field practicing by himself an hour before kickoff) The first half had a lot of dynamic scoring chances, the 2nd half was a clinic in holding possession (probably thanks to Xavi).

As for the Galaxy, they didn't look too bad, although Alan Gordon still is worthless out there. Beckham was booed mercilessly for the first 20 minutes, then he scored the goal of the match and there was no booing anymore. But it was an amazing goal off a free kick. And Landon looked great too--his acceleration on the ball is just as good as ever and you can see his intelligence on the field.

As for Barca, got to see Messi (captain in the first half), who seemed to have the ball attached to his foot. Henry, Xavi, Pique, Victor Valdes and Puyol were the 2nd half guys and Messi, Rafa Marquez and Dani Alves were the 1st half guys. It was really cool seeing everyone on the pitch.

Lucky for me I am a fan of both teams so I was cheering for both of them when they did something good. (Unfortunately for the Galaxy, most of the bad was from their side--honestly, how can a guy as big as Alan Gordon NOT win headers?)

 

[Zeno]

Sounds like it was fun. I only watched the first half, Beckhams goal was sick but I was too tired to keep watching.

I go to Real Madrid against DC United next weekend. Looking forward to it. Its nice of these great Euro teams blessing us with their presence every summer (and taking our money LOL).

 

[gr000000vy]

I go to Real Madrid against DC United next weekend. Looking forward to it. Its nice of these great Euro teams blessing us with their presence every summer (and taking our money LOL).

man.. lucky dog. My daughter has been bugging me to fly to DC to watch Madrid play. I got to see Madrid play RSL when they came out here a few years ago... Was a great time hated the 22 hr round trip from Colo for a one night stay but totally worth it...

I watched Barca put in a 50 pass rule before a shot rule and basically looked like a practice session for them... Beckham's free kick was quality though....

wish United would come over for a friendly tour...

 

[Mulli]

Why didn't anyone post the score?

 

[Chaplin]

Why didn't anyone post the score?

Because I didn't know if some people TIVO'd it or something.

2-1 Barca

 

[Mulli]

Because I didn't know if some people TIVO'd it or something.

2-1 Barca

Good point. 2-1? I sounded like 5-1 or something.

 

[Chaplin]

Good point. 2-1? I sounded like 5-1 or something.

It was still a friendly, and like they showed against AC Milan, the Galaxy are no slouches against big teams. A month ago I watched them beat Houston, who were leading the league at the time.

To be fair, though, Barca was pretty much toying with them most of the time. You could tell that it was more of a 90 minute passing drill than a real effort to win the game by a lot of goals. It was crazy how many chances to shoot Barca had in the 1st half. But thinking back it makes sense--they were really trying to get their passing skills down, especially with all the young and new players they had out there. Remember, in the 2nd half, the entire Barca side was substituted.

And both groups, if this were a real game, could probably beat any MLS team. But that's why they won the treble.

 

[Section108]

Lurker here.....

I am a long time soccer player and fan, it was good to watch these friendly's along with the WFC and about time the players in the MLS show some skill. I can't stand watching MLS games and our "style" of playing the game. Too many fouls, not enough ball handling skills, just crap, no offense to the fans of the MLS....

What these friendlys showed, between Chelsea & the Sounders, Barca & the Galaxy, like the US mens team, our players play to their competition. It's about time we show our god given talent with the ball.

Both Elite teams may have been toying with the MLS teams, but I hope soon the teams/players will realize and put forth 110 percent effort against all opponents to better the sport here.

 

[Zeno]

man.. lucky dog. My daughter has been bugging me to fly to DC to watch Madrid play. I got to see Madrid play RSL when they came out here a few years ago... Was a great time hated the 22 hr round trip from Colo for a one night stay but totally worth it...

I have a bunch of friends in DC and know the area really well and became a DC United fan while I was there last year--I'll be meeting some people for the game. I spent 5 months there last year and went to a bunch of games at RFK but I haven't been back there since the US qualifier against Cuba last fall. This game is at the Redskins stadium though...never been there before. I've never seen Real Madrid before so I am looking forward to it, their team is littered with superstars especially after all the money they spent this transfer period.

As a plus to the planning of this trip I also have tickets behind the DBacks dugout for their game against the Nationals on Saturday....so its an all sports weekend. I still will fit in a little sightseeing in the city I hope.