Lionel Messi and Barcelona FC at Quest on August 5th!

This was just announced today:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/archives/168272.asp

I'm pretty stoked too! Although the Wednesday date kinda sucks... Haha at least I got my Chelsea tickets already...

BTW how crazy is it that they are playing half of the Champions League Semi-finalists??? That front office is doing wonders...

The ref at the Chelsea game better watch out if the Blues lose...

PurplePrideTrumpet wrote:The ref at the Chelsea game better watch out if the Blues lose...

Yeah, particularly from one horse headed Ivorian who shall remain nameless...

Yeah, I'm skipping the Chelsea game...a loss to them would be more torture than I could handle... I'm still tempted to see the national team play on the 4th of July though if tx are still available.

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I guess there's no guarantee at all that Barcelona will play their best players, but, I'm going to try to go all the same...

For me, it's not even a question whether to see Messi Play. If somebody told you there was a chance to see Willie Mays in his prime, you'd go see that, wouldn't you?

This one is a can't miss event, even if the game means nothing.

athleticjames wrote:
I guess there's no guarantee at all that Barcelona will play their best players, but, I'm going to try to go all the same...

I'd say it pretty much is a guarantee they are going to play (barring a previous nasty injury)... All these teams are trying to establish their brands and whatnot in the US, adn they are going to want to put the best product they can on that pitch...

DaTruRochin wrote:

athleticjames wrote:
I guess there's no guarantee at all that Barcelona will play their best players, but, I'm going to try to go all the same...

I'd say it pretty much is a guarantee they are going to play (barring a previous nasty injury)... All these teams are trying to establish their brands and whatnot in the US, adn they are going to want to put the best product they can on that pitch...

I disagree; Barcelona FC has already established their brand. Ljungberg points out here that they will be in the middle of pre-season, and there will be substitutions and players who do not normally play:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009198073_sounders09.html

I don't care. I'll be there anyway. If I have to see the Sounders lose, I'd rather have it to Barcelona FC than Chelsea...and a lot of the players on the Barcelona FC bench are stars of the future anyway. Heck, I enjoy watching our own Arsenal youth player, Zakuani, too... and as PGeezer points out any chance to see Messi is a good one.

Rafa Marquez would be a treat to watch too. Tremendous Mexican player:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_M%C3%A1rquez

One more reason to go...

I'm so anxious for these tickets to go on sale...

Anyone see Leo's header for Barca's second goal in the Champions League Final today?

Yeah, he's pretty good.

Yes I saw his header and its was a beautiful touch over one of the best keepers in the world. Did you notice that double triangle attack Barca was running? Keep it in mind. It will help you follow along next year.

Pre-sale tickets were on sale this past week, and the rest go on sale today. I'm going with the Seattle Spanish Society. If any PN people are going to the game, let me know. I'd love to hang out with some UP people at halftime.

Barcelona's coach recently stated that they are bringing the full squad for the trip. It will be toward the end of pre-season, so the odds of some of the best players playing a half or so before the 3 substitutions are pretty good. You were right, DaTruRochin. There are rumors of Rafa going to a different team in the offseason. I'm so excited!

Haha I never said they would play the WHOLE game... But yeah, also I wouldn't be surprised if they allowed more than the 3 substitutes since it is a pre-season friendly and Guardiola will surely want to work in different player combinations and whatnot as he begins the campaign of defending the treble. (Especially since it looks like Real is going to be spending upward of 200 million Euros this summer on transfers...)

That Real Madrid vs. Barcelona rivalry is going to be something else.