Barcelona Coming To America

Tour dates for Barcelona’s tour of the U.S. this summer have been officially released.

The Spanish giant, whose honors include 18 La Liga trophies, a record-setting 24 Copa del Rey championships and two UEFA Champions League titles, will play two matches during the 2008 trip:

Sunday, Aug. 3 versus legendary CD Guadalajara of Mexico at Chicago’s Soldier Field (7:00 p.m. ET). and Wednesday, Aug. 6 versus New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer at Giants Stadium (7:00 p.m. ET).

Chivas de Guadalajara, first place season finisher in the Clausura 2008—the Mexican League’s winter season—will count on Mexico national team stars Ramon Morales, Johnny Magallon, Luis Ernesto Michel and Alberto Medina.

Lining up for the New York Red Bulls, undefeated in five of its last six matches in the current MLS season, are Colombian national Juan Pablo Angel although they will be without U.S. rising star Jozy Altidore who has joined Villareal.

FC Barcelona are a team in transition as new manager Josep Guardiola has repalced Frank Rijkaard. Players will be looking to make a good impression with Guardiola so expect that Barcelona bring there complete roster with them including stars like Lionel Messi and Thiery Henry heading the line up.

Tickets for these two games go on sale later this week and should sell out pretty quickly.