Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, center, listens as manager Roberto Mancini, third left, issues instructions during a training session today at Carrington training ground in Manchester as Manchester City prepares for its Wembley appearance Saturday in the final of the FA Cup (AP Photo).
The 1 p.m. game on Sunday, July 24 will thankfully be played at Home Depot Center against Manchester’s “other” club, the weekend after the Galaxy plays their previously-announced first game of the World Football Challenge against Real Madrid the weekend before.
“It was very important to our club to host an international friendly here at the Home Depot Center for our fans, especially those who come to this stadium week in and week out to support the Galaxy. We are very excited to welcome Manchester City, a team that is challenging for the FA Cup and that has just secured a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League,” Galaxy President Tom Payne said. “Our stadium offers fans the unique experience of feeling like you are right on top of the action. We all remember the amazing atmosphere inside the stadium two years ago for our match against AC Milan. We look forward to having the same type of crowd on July 24.”
It’s the third consecutive year the Galaxy host an international friendly in Carson. The Galaxy tied AC Milan 2-2 draw in 2009 and defeated Boca Juniors 1-0 there last season.
It’s bonus game 2 for Galaxy season ticket holders. Single ticket sale details have yet to be announced for everyone else, although three-game mini-plans that include two MLS games are on sale now.
This is the first game against EPL opposition for the Galaxy since 1997 when they tied 1-1 with Aston Villa. (Galaxy striker Juan Pablo Angel had yet to join Villa back then).
Incidentally, here’s how they played word of the game in Manchester.
Money bags City have not won a major trophy since 1976, but have suddenly become title contenders since being taken over by Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi three years ago and sit fourth in the EPL. The club is now considered the 15th most valuable franchise in world soccer, with an estimated value of $291 million.
Managed by Italian Roberto Mancini, City’s stacked roster includes David Silva (Spain), England internationals Gareth Barry, Joe Hart and James Milner and former Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure
City play in the FA Cup final Saturday against Stoke City, a game that will be shown live at 7 a.m. on Fox Soccer Channel.
For more on the Blues, check out a feature-length film called “Blue Moon Rising,” which documents a year in the life of the club. It airs at 8 p.m. Friday on FSC.
