ACTUALITE |
13.04.2006
FC Barcelona has date in Houston
Spanish power to meet Mexican club in Aug. 9 match
By BERNARDO FALLAS
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Houston soccer fans wanting to see the likes of Brazilian ace and two-time FIFA footballer of the year Ronaldinho, Argentine prodigy Lionel Messi or Mexico national team captain Rafael Marquez in action might not have to travel to this summer`s World Cup in Germany.
Spanish club FC Barcelona, one of the richest and most popular teams in the world and home to a number of World Cup-bound stars including Ronaldinho, Messi and Marquez, will play for the first time in Houston as part of a three-city U.S. tour this summer.
Major League Soccer and promoting arm Soccer United Marketing are expected to announce today that the 17-time Spanish League winner and defending champion will be in Houston on Aug. 9 to play a Mexican team.
"Barcelona has committed to do a three-game tour of the U.S., playing in, I believe the correct order is, Los Angeles, Houston and New York," Dynamo president Oliver Luck said Tuesday. "We just got the confirmation earlier this week."
MLS spokesman Will Kuhns confirmed plans to announce an international club tour today, but he declined to discuss details.
Three-stop tour
The tour will mark Barcelona`s second visit to the United States. The team played in America in 2003 during the summer, when most European club teams hold preseason.
Luck was unable to confirm any of Barcelona`s opponents during the tour; negotiations with clubs are ongoing, he said. The venue for the match also has not been determined.
Founded in 1899, Barcelona is arguably one of the best and most storied soccer clubs in Europe. It rubs shoulders with the likes of fellow Spanish club and archrival Real Madrid, England`s Manchester United and Liverpool, Scotland`s Celtic and Rangers, Italy`s AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, and Germany`s Bayern Munich.
Barcelona is also one of the world`s richest clubs, expected to surpass $240 million in income this year.
Star-studded lineup
Other stars in Barcelona`s lineup include Spanish defender Puyol, Cameroon forward Samuel Eto`o, Portuguese midfielder Deco and Swedish forward Henrik Larsson.
It is unclear whether the team has committed to bringing its complete first team.
Barcelona 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 (18 possible points) to win back-to-back league titles for the first time since the 1997-98 and 98-99 seasons.
Barcelona will begin Champions League semifinal play next week against AC Milan in what is Europe`s top club tournament. It`s Barcelona`s ninth appearance in the Champions League semifinals. The club won the competition in 1992.
Tickets for the Barcelona match will be available through the Dynamo, Luck said, who added that details regarding purchasing methods will be given along with the official announcement.
bernardo.fallas@chron.com
|
|
Hits: 1 | Source:Allafrica | |
|
|
|
|
| |