i am sort of surprised that Man Utd is coming back to the US so soon. usually they have to spread their preseason tours out across many markets that are profitable for them. i figured this summer would be an asian tour.
July 27 is once again at the same time as the CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round 1st leg. Two U.S. based MLS teams will be playing in that round and potentially a Canadian based MLS team. I understand the constraints but it's too bad the league can't avoid that conflict.
As someone noted, last year it was a World Cup year and many of the stars were rested and younger, hungrier Man U players were playing trying to prove themselves to the team. Since this year the veterans will probably get a longer run out and care less about the outcome, the game should be more competitive.
Hmm, surprised MLS would want the same team back and/or that Man Utd would not be in a different continent. Maybe they figure on hyping it as a revenge mission for the All Stars. As for Man Utd, they obviously consider there is still a large market to be tapped in the US.
Disappointed to see Man U be the opponent again. No surprise to see them back in the US touring, but I think it would have been more interesting to see a different team for the opponent. Off hand, why not Barca since they are touring the US and have a working relationship with SUM?
I think it's because ManU just plainly needs the money. They'll probably get a cool million from each match. $4million for a preseason tour? I'd take it. And as for MLS, how can you say NO to ManU?
To be completely honest im suprised Liverpool isnt coming over to play the Revs. With NESV's acquisition of Liverpool i thought it was a shoo-in for at least Football At Fenway
I do not expect NESV and the Krafts to work together in any way. They see each other as competition, even in Soccer. Liverpool will inevitably come to Boston and play in Fenway but you will not see them play the Revs or play at Gillette. Just my two cents.
Blegh. Maybe it's just me, but after seeing such an excellent opening week in MLS (in terms of quality of play and audience attendance), do we really need these All-Star games to promote the game here?? I'm feeling underwhelmed.
I think it's more to get Eurosnobs and mainstream sports media (both here and abroad) to watch MLS. Some don't even pay attention to First Kick or MLS Cup, so the ASG against an international opponent is a big opportunity to reach them.
And for the most part, these games are fun and well attended. So if you are not excited then... too bad I guess. NOTE: not intended to be directly at you CACuzcatlan.
I'm a Man U fan and I think that playing them two years in a row is dumb. With all the teams around the globe,couldn't MLS find a different team to play this year. Bad move MLS front office.
Why couldn't MLS line up,Arsenal,Bolton,Liverpool,Man City,Newcastle,Rangers,Bayern Munich,Hamburg SV,AC Milan,Inter Milan,Roma,Lazio,Olympic Lyon,PSG,Real Madrid,Barcelona,Espanyol,Sporting Lisbon,Porto,Basel,Spartak Moscow,Club America,Nexaca,Melbourne Victory,Hearts,Hibernian,etc. Don't play the same team two years in a row.
One reason. Chicharito. Javier Hernandez is the biggest player in football right now. He's sitting on 16 goals so far this year and Man U is set to win the EPL and seem to have a very good chance at winning Champion's League also. It simply doesn't get any bigger than that.
Hernandez's 16 goals make him the biggest player in football over Messi and Ronaldo both set to score over 40 goals this calendar year? Somehow I don't think so. Chicharito is a superb player, and doesn't need hyperbole to describe his achievements.