Real Madrid and others out for 2009 MLS All Star match

It doesn’t take going out on a limb, but I am going to list some clubs that I think you can cross of the list as the other half of the MLS All Star match that Real Salt Lake will host at Rio Tinto Stadium on July 29th:

Real Madrid

Sevilla

Juventus

Olympique Lyonnais

F.C. Porto

and Liga de Quito

All have been announced at clubs taking part in the 2009 Peace Cup this summer (July 24th-August 2nd) in Spain. There are still 6 more clubs to be announced and rumor is that two will come from the EPL and this tournament and the two million Euro first price (one million for second, and 500K for 3rd and 4th) offer a richer payday than what the MLS can put forward for the All Star match. This does open the door for Barca, which it would appear isn’t going to be in the tournament. With the announcement of Juventus, you have to wonder if this puts more credit behind the rumors of Inter Milan or AC Milan. I am really starting to get a bad feeling that we might just get to see Chivas or Club America as the opponent, it save MLS a lot of travel money, gets them bigger ratings with hispanic fans and would explain why after months of telling season ticket holders that the All Star match wouldn’t be part of the 2009 RSL season ticket package, all of a sudden it was added back in.

Things could get interesting in the next couple weeks as we get closer to the announcement of the international opponent, I am now switching my bet from Real Madrid (which looks to stiff the “RSL” connection for a second year in a row) to Barcelona, clearly one of the top clubs in the world with lots of big international names, a relationship with MLS, soon to be partner in the FC Miami franchise, and a team that would get decent ratings both in the US and international market. If the economy is the main player in the decision, look for one of the teams from Mexico to be announced. But if the announcement of a Chelsea summer tour are true would MLS risk using the same opponent as just 3 years ago? Stranger things have happened.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

This entry was posted on February 18, 2009 at 1:54 am and is filed under The soapbox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.