About that Barcelona friendly
As you read this morning, the Red Bulls will be playing a friendly against a high-profile European club on Aug. 7 at Giants Stadium. That opponent may not be Barcelona.
According to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, Barcelona is NOT the opponent for the Red Bulls' first high-profile international friendly since the Barcelona friendly in 2006. Just who is the opponent? I'm trying to find that out.
Barcelona had been in discussions with the Red Bulls and appeared to have beaten out Real Madrid for the summer's showcase soccer match at Giants Stadium, but now it appears that the Barcelona talks have stalled.
Two weeks ago, SBI reported that Real Madrid was in discussions with Red Bulls about a match that same week in August, but the reigning Spanish champions had been believed to be focusing on a West Coast tour.
Who would you like to see the Red Bulls play? Barcelona? Real Madrid? Energie Cottbus? Ergotelis?
Share your thoughts below.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
Have a tip, story idea or suggestion? Send it to:
Bayern with a full squad?
Posted by: Richard | February 22, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Juventus???
Posted by: Fabrizio | February 22, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Cottbus would pack the joint! They appeal to that desirable demographic of 65 and older displaced DDR resident.
It is a sad commentary when you are a team promoted to the first division and your captain leaves to remain in the second division with another team.
Posted by: GMoney | February 22, 2008 at 02:33 PM
If not Barca, then Chelsea.
Posted by: jo | February 22, 2008 at 02:34 PM
You're killin me, Ives.
Posted by: sublicon | February 22, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Fulham
Posted by: rod | February 22, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Hopefully its completely called off.
Posted by: Dannyc58 | February 22, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Manchester United.
Posted by: Nick | February 22, 2008 at 02:40 PM
I heard Juventus is a possible in Montreal, so wouldnt be out of the way to go down to jerz from there. If not then I'm sure Derby would really put a$$es in the seats
Posted by: reid | February 22, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Rod,
FUlham would lose.
Posted by: Tony in Quakeland | February 22, 2008 at 02:44 PM
If it's not a huge powerhouse club, I'd prefer to see it called off, as it falls at a terrible time for the club, between two huge league matches.
Posted by: Matt | February 22, 2008 at 02:48 PM
They played in 2006, not 2005.
Sorry for playing copy editor.
My vote is A.C. Milan.
Posted by: Andy | February 22, 2008 at 02:48 PM
How about this Ives---you let us know when it's a fact. Now I look like an idiot to all the people I told about this. Come on man.....I could just spread rumors and claim my "multiple" sources
Posted by: Chuck | February 22, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Forza! AC Milan
Posted by: stencom1 | February 22, 2008 at 02:49 PM
I love it..."barcelona has 'beaten out' real madrid" to play the red bulls. yeah, something like that.
Posted by: Drew | February 22, 2008 at 02:51 PM
L.A. Galaxy. That will get Red Bull out of the red at the end of the season!
Posted by: Amit | February 22, 2008 at 02:51 PM
The timing of this friendly is really terrible. Can't they change the date? Make it happen, Ives!
Posted by: Joamiq | February 22, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Galway United.
Posted by: MetroTard | February 22, 2008 at 02:55 PM
PLAY VILLAREAL. And have Altidore demolish Rossi. I think this would be a great game. WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?
Posted by: Ronald Lucena | February 22, 2008 at 03:01 PM
I think it will be Red Bulls vs. Radiohead.
Posted by: Mikemike | February 22, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Arsenal!
Posted by: iki | February 22, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Who would win between RBNY and Ditka?
Posted by: Barry67 | February 22, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Mikemike - LOL. I like Thom Yorke to score a hat trick!
Posted by: Matt | February 22, 2008 at 03:12 PM
I'd like to see them play a team I haven't seen live yet, which rules out some of the best teams in the world.
So I'd love to see Inter or Madrid. I've seen just about every other top team in "the big three" leagues live and in person, plus the likes of Bayern, Celtic, etc.
Posted by: kpugs | February 22, 2008 at 03:15 PM
GRIMSBY TOWN!!!!!
Posted by: Adam | February 22, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Spartak Nalchik.
Think of the headlines when Giusfredi isn't allowed back in the country!
Posted by: sayervilleFC | February 22, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Chelsea would be cool, too.
Kinda nice to see Gooch play, huh Ives. ;)
Posted by: sayervilleFC | February 22, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Huge bummer
Posted by: JSquaredNY | February 22, 2008 at 03:22 PM
If red bull ever won any games they would not have to schedule friendlies during the season, they could play in international tournies. the friendly is dumb,just more injuries.
Posted by: JMH | February 22, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Sorry Sublicon (and Chuck), I was told Barcelona was done. I'll have an answer on an opponent on Monday.
Posted by: Ives | February 22, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Low blow Sayreville. Yellow card worthy.
Posted by: Ives | February 22, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Havant and Waterlooville!
Posted by: B.A. | February 22, 2008 at 03:43 PM
How about a Superliga match... oh ... never mind...
Posted by: Jacknut | February 22, 2008 at 03:56 PM
HAHAHA! Awesome Barry... Ditka 27-Redbulls 2.
Posted by: Matty C | February 22, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Any reason why the talks with Barca have stalled?
Posted by: inkedAG | February 22, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Inked, I don't think Barcelona was the first choice to begin with. I'll have more on this shortly.
Posted by: Ives | February 22, 2008 at 04:35 PM
I didn't read this morning that a high-profile Euro club was coming to Giants Stadium to play RBNY. I read that Barcelona was coming, in no uncertain terms.
I guess we have to keep reading to be sure the facts don't change. I will set this as my home page, so every time I open my browser I can check for the news that JCO did indeed move to RBNY for the money! ;)
Just kidding -- no cage match please. Unless neither Madrid or Barca shows up. Then we'll have to find another way to fill up the old barn in the swamp. I'm sure we can get 75,000 SBI Mafiosi for the Furia-Ives Ultimate fighting championship.
Posted by: furia yanqui | February 22, 2008 at 04:38 PM
ok.....wait for it.....Gamba Osaka
And the Meadowlands will still be more crowded than Aloha Stadium was
Posted by: BeautifulGame | February 22, 2008 at 04:48 PM
VFB STUTTGART!
VFB STUTTGART!
VFB STUTTGART!
Posted by: Kris | February 22, 2008 at 05:32 PM
How about Barnsley?
Posted by: DL | February 22, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Barnsely is good but, the Red Bulls could take them and it would not fill Giants Stadium.
Posted by: Scott | February 22, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Inter Milan
Posted by: Gooooallllll! | February 22, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Look Ives I believe your honest about this stuff, and your readership appreciates it, but perhaps a bit more patience would be beneficial.
This setup is unique because of the input that you allow, and the depth that you delve into the subject matter. No need to turn into some sort of first off the presses reporter- in the long run that may indeed damage your credibility (and somewhat needlessly at that).
Posted by: YankatOxford | February 23, 2008 at 01:16 AM
Ten clubs that move the needle for me:
1. Man U
2. Real Madrid
3. Barcelona
4. Arsenal
5. AC Milan
6. Chelsea
7. Inter
8. AS Roma
9. Juventus
10. Bayern Munich
Posted by: Tim F. | February 23, 2008 at 06:09 AM
ergotelis so we can chill with clint...
olympiakos , a c milan, ajax or boca,river,atletico nacional, millionarios
Posted by: kevin Q | February 23, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Hey Ives I respectfully disagree with YankatOxford and others - please keep the posts coming as you deem appropriate, and if you find later on that you've been misinformed just post the correction. You're the man and the occasional revised post doesn't mean squat. Thinking it was Barca then finding out it's not just raises the interest level for who it will be - do people get their hopes up that much 6 months in advance that it's so horrible to have the news change?
That said, bring on Benfica to see how RBNY measure up against a CL challenger (other picks have already been mentioned)...
Posted by: Frimp | February 24, 2008 at 09:11 AM
How about River Plate, Porto, or Boca?
Posted by: Rndmgy | February 24, 2008 at 08:48 PM