Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
The LA Galaxy are no strangers to playing top European teams, but they will face an opponent that fits that category for the very first time this summer.
The Galaxy announced on Tuesday that they will host Manchester United in a friendly at the Rose Bowl on July 23. The match will be the first between the two clubs and is part of United’s return to North America after back-to-back tours in 2010 and 12011.
“We are excited to take on Manchester United at the Rose Bowl this summer,” said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein in a statement. “We look forward to playing a storied club at a storied venue. As the top club in North America it is important for us to play big games and bring big events to the city of Los Angeles.”
The friendly will be part of Manchester’s preseason tour in the United States and is its first in Los Angeles since 2003. The game, which comes in the middle of the MLS season and shortly after the World Cup ends, will also mark the first time that the English club sports its Chevrolet-branded jerseys.
“Playing LA Galaxy at the world-famous Rose Bowl will be an important part of the team’s preparations for the 2014-15 football season,” said Manchester United group managing director Richard Arnold in the same statement. “The club has been visiting Los Angeles since 1950 and this match provides a great opportunity for us to engage with our fans in this region. The popularity of soccer in the US continues to strengthen and Major League Soccer and LA Galaxy have been fundamental to this.
“Our previous matches against MLS opposition have proved popular with fans and players alike and we are delighted to be returning to the U.S.”
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What do you think of the Galaxy hosting Manchester United in a friendly? Excited about the game and planning on attending? Hoping United schedules more friendlies with MLS clubs this summer?
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