MLS All-Stars to Play Real Madrid This Summer
Over the past couple of years, we have seen some premier teams come into the states to take on the MLS’ best. But this year we are in for a special treat, world class Real Madrid will be coming to town.
For many of the players, they haven’t visited, nor played in the states, a completely different atmosphere. For example, an average crowd for Real Madrid comes in at 68,000. The best the MLS has gotten all time, 44,000 by the Sounders, but yet still only average 21,000 MLS wide. The noise levels are crazy different and effect players.
This year the All-Star game will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago, which holds a max capacity of 61,500 just in between the highest MLS total, and the average Real Madrid total. But why is the game being played in Chicago? Soldier field has hosted huge games including the 1994 World Cup to this year’s Copa America Centenario.
The MLS lost a few key European World Class Players from last year’s squad including Drobga and Lampard. This year the MLS gained a German All Time Great in Balstain Schiewenthiger, who now resides with Chicago. If they fans vote as they did last year, we will see the combo of Villa and Kaka, as well as Giovani and Dempsey and several others. There may also be room for the new and upcoming, which would hopefully include Jack Harrison.
Everyone knows how good Real Madrid is, I mean how could you not. One of the best teams in all of Europe, capturing 11 European Championships as well as 32 Spanish league champs. Ronaldo will be tested by some of the all-time greats to ever play soccer that don’t play in Europe anymore. It isn’t just Ronaldo, their lineup includes Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.
Last year the MLS fell to Arsenal 2-1 in the All Star Game in San Jose. The MLS had one two prior to last year, including big wins over Bayern Munich and Tottenham. This is all great to know and all. But when will the game actually happen? The game is set to take place on August 2nd at Soldier Field, tickets start at $35.
For continued coverage of the MLS, stay with Upstate Sports Zone.. @upstate_sports
By Jake Martino
