Barcelona-4- NY Red Bulls-1- FINAL, over 75,000 fans

[Frank Cunha]

Soccer America's MLS CONFIDENTIAL is a benefit for Soccer America members. It is published twice a week.

Flag Stays Up

By Ridge Mahoney



BARCA BUCKS. Barcelona will visit the U.S. for three games in August and according to a source will be paid $750,000 per match.

According to the official release, the club will bring all of its first-team players: Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, etc. Such arrangements are always subject to change, of course, and in many cases the appearance fee drops if a few stars opt out.

Only one opponent has been confirmed. Barcelona will conclude its tour Aug. 12 against Red Bull New York at the Meadowlands. Foes for games in Los Angeles Aug. 6 and Houston Aug. 9 will be Mexican clubs.

CD Guadalajara, not the MLS version, is the obvious Los Angeles opponent, except for a possible conflict if it reaches the two-leg final of the Copa Liberatadores, which is scheduled for early August.

Another snag may prevent rival Club America, which for more than a year contemplated an MLS investment in Houston, from filling the Texas date. Media conglomerate Televisa, which operates Club America, is reportedly insisting it control TV rights to the match. Barcelona and tour promoter SUM have their own ideas.

Club America is planning a U.S. tour this summer as well and obviously a Barcelona matchup would be the glamour game, so more likely than not some compromise can be worked out. If so, Reliant Stadium (capacity: 69,000) might not be big enough.

[UltraViseu]

Originally Posted by Frank Cunha

I always tell my friends, Soccer is the Real Football

American Football are for sissy's, they play with all of the equipment, they get minutes of time outs during the game, players run 100 yards and they have to take oxygen, that's a ladies sport
in the superbowl a player got touch scoring a touchdown and they took the points away, on the other side the ball never cross the line and they gave Pittsburg a touchdown.

Brilliantly said!!!

[UltraViseu]

Originally Posted by SOMOSBENFICA

My dad told me a story that once Benfica was visiting New York and Benfica was practicing on the same field as the Jets and Eusebio was kicking 70 yard field goals..The Jets where trying to sign him to a contract. I don't know how true that story is , but it was kinda funny when I heard it. The truth is that the most condition atheletes are soccer players. When is the last time you hear another athelete dying on the field in any other sport..It's a very difficult sport when alot of injuries..Unlike other sports in which reaction is the key in soccer thinking is the most important attribute.

Interesting story, being that I am a huge Jets fan. I had no idea!!! Wow!!

[goalmirivan]

750 thousand euros a game that's a lot money for a exibition game

[Frank Cunha]

Eto might not make the trip he signed to play to Al-Ittiad

http://the-afc.com/english/media/def...ls&newsID=5641

[SOMOSBENFICA]

Originally Posted by Frank Cunha

Eto might not make the trip he signed to play to Al-Ittiad

http://the-afc.com/english/media/def...ls&newsID=5641

You must be kidding why in the world would he leave Barcelona...

[Frank Cunha]

enough his enough, its all about the racial treatment his been getting in Spain, he was so happy to play in Portugal after the Benfica game he said we were the best fans in the world, and the way we show "Fair play"

[SOMOSBENFICA]

Originally Posted by Frank Cunha

enough his enough, its all about the racial treatment his been getting in Spain, he was so happy to play in Portugal after the Benfica game he said we were the best fans in the world, and the way we show "Fair play"

Well in those gulf arab countries if you are not a muslim you will be treated like a second class citizen. I will never play in a country where it's illegal to wear a crucifix.

[Frank Cunha]

his going to be better treated in Saudi Arabia then he was getting treated in Spain, its hard to believe but its true

he almost walk out of a game a couple weeks ago because of racial treatment in Spain, he stayed because of teamates and some of the opposite players ask him to stay.

[SOMOSBENFICA]

Originally Posted by Frank Cunha

his going to be better treated in Saudi Arabia then he was getting treated in Spain, its hard to believe but its true

he almost walk out of a game a couple weeks ago because of racial treatment in Spain, he stayed because of teamates and some of the opposite players ask him to stay.

I wish he can play for Benfica.

[Frank Cunha]

Benfica should go after his national teamate Meyonga 17 goals with Belenenses, the new Matateu

[Frank Cunha]

just got a email from the club if you want to watch the Red Bulls vs Barcelona you most by season tickets

http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/rbn/tickets/

[SOMOSBENFICA]

Originally Posted by Frank Cunha

just got a email from the club if you want to watch the Red Bulls vs Barcelona you most by season tickets

http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/rbn/tickets/

Tickets go on sale to the regular public on June 19. The Metrostars put together a nice package last season for the England game. I bought a 4 ticket plan which included a doubleheader and got a free playoff ticket for only $95.00. This season package is real crap for $120.00 you get only 4 games which includes the Barcelona match and no playoff ticket.

[Frank Cunha]

Its away of bringing fans for the MLS games

[SOMOSBENFICA]

Originally Posted by Frank Cunha

Its away of bringing fans for the MLS games

The best way of bringing in fans is by getting away from these stupid restrictions like salary cap. America needs to compete with the best clubs in the world for talent. Imagine watching a Red Bull team with the likes of Ronaldo, Eto, and Zindane. The stadium will be pack with people watching a bunch of great footballers.