*CHICAGO (AP) — Borussia Dortmund forward Terrence Boyd and UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe have been added to the U.S. under-23 roster for a training camp ahead of men’s Olympic soccer qualifying.

Thirty players will gather for the camp with new coach Caleb Porter. It will be held from
Thursday through Dec. 23 at Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

The U.S. opens qualifying against Cuba on March 22, then plays Canada two days later and El Salvador on March 26, with all three games at Nashville, Tenn. The top two teams in the group advance to the semifinals of the North and Central American and Caribbean region, and the two semifinal winners qualify for the London Olympics.

The updated roster -

Goalkeepers: David Bingham (San Jose), Bill Hamid (D.C.), Sean Johnson (Chicago), Zac MacMath (Philadelphia)

Defenders: Gale Agbossoumonde (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Royal-Dominique Fennell (Stuttgarter Kickers), Sebastien Ibeagha (Duke), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston), Zarek Valentin (Montreal), Jorge Villafana (Chivas USA), Andrew Wenger (Duke), Sheanon Williams (Philadelphia)

Midfielders: Freddy Adu (Philadelphia), Bryan Arguez (Montreal), Joe Corona (Tijuana, Mexico), Danny Cruz (Houston, Mixx Diskerud (Stabaek, Norway), Dilly Duka (Columbus), Jared Jeffrey (Mainz, Germany), Sebastian Lletget (West Ham, England), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia), Kelyn Rowe (UCLA), Michael Stephens (Los Angeles)

Forwards: Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Will Bruin (Houston), Teal Bunbury (Kansas City, Jann George (Nuremberg, Germany), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim, Germany), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia), Andrew Wooten (Kaiserslautern, Germany)

*The team from Torrance’s Japanese sister city, Kashiwa, was bounced from the Club World Cup today.

The lovely Neymar goal is worth watching:

Lastly, here’s a video update from the USWNT camp going on out at Carson’s Home Depot Center right now:

This was essentially the same sort of Belgium team I’ve had the misfortune to watch every few years since 1970 – one that grinds out results with a packed midfield/defense despite an obvious dearth of talent.

On the other side of the field this U.S. is looking more than a bit familiar as well just three games into the reign of Jurgen Klinsman with young players learning on the job, no real attacking strengths (Clint Dempsey aside) and yes, another loss. On the plus side the back four looked pretty steady again, too.

The biggest question that needs to be answered: Is the U.S. seeing progress under Klinsmann?

What do you think?

Hey, if it’s any consolation the Galaxy’s Robbie Keane was shut out again in Ireland’s 0-0 Euro 2012 qualifier today against Russia.

Here’s the game story from Associated Press Writer Slobodan Lekic:

BRUSSELS (AP) — The U.S. national soccer team lost to Belgium 1-0 Tuesday, leaving Jurgen Klinsmann without a win in three games since he was hired as the Americans’ coach.

This was the first road game for the U.S. since Klinsmann came aboard. The Americans earlier tied Mexico and lost to Costa Rica.

Nicolas Lombaerts’ half volley in the 55th minute was the only goal in an exhibition game
dominated by the Belgians on the rain-soaked field.

“It was an interesting game for both sides,” Klinsmann said. “For the first 25 minutes the
U.S. had a good passing game going, but then the individual Belgian class started to show. The players have learned a lot from the game.”

Klinsmann, a former German star and coach, is looking to assemble the players who will play in the World Cup qualifiers that start next June. He pointed to such promising players as Juan Agudelo, Jose Torres, Brek Shea and Timmy Chandler.

An inexperienced U.S. team rarely threatened, and second-half substitutes Agudelo and Kyle Beckerman did little to energize play.

Still, the Americans had their best chance five minutes before the end. A midfield cross found its way to Edu, who headed the ball past Mignolet. But the referee disallowed the goal because Clarence Goodson was ruled to have handled the ball inside the box.

The U.S. played aggressively only in the opening minutes. In the sixth minute, Clint Dempsey’s free kick was fumbled by Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Ten minutes later Torres curled a free kick from the right just past the far post.

In the 25th minute, Timmy Simons struck a low ball from the right edge of the area that U.S. goalie Tim Howard deflected. Seven minutes later, Dries Mertens crossed the ball into the area to an unmarked Marouane Fellaini, whose shot was stopped by Howard.

Belgium coach Georges Leekens said the U.S. played well for the first 15 minutes.

“Then we got a grip and we really wanted to win at home after the Azarbaijan match,” he
said.

Belgium drew against Azerbaijan on Friday, weakening its chances of qualifying for next year’s European Championship.

Lineups
Belgium: Simon Mignolet, Laurent Ciman, Toby Alderweireld, Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Lombaerts, Timmy Simons, Eden Hazard (Marvin Ogunjimi, 61), Marouane Fellaini (Romelu Lukaku, 61), Igor De Camargo, Axel Witsel, Dries Mertens.

United States: Tim Howard, Steve Cherundolo, Timmy Chandler, Clarence Goodson, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, Robbie Rogers (Kyle Beckerman, 46), Maurice Edu, Jozy Altidore (Juan Agudelo, 46), Jose Torres (Jeff Larentowicz, 75), Brek Shea.

U.S. 0 Costa Rica 1

Staff Writer Phil Collin has the Game story.

The difference in the game in pictures
Missing in action: Landon Donovan and the U.S. rues another missed opportunity on goal Friday in Carson (AP Photos).

Howards End: Rodney Wallace blasts the ball past Tim Howard for the goal that was the difference in the game.

Watch:

Was the U.S. – and perhaps Jurgen Klinsmann – schooled just a bit by a more experienced team Friday night?

Yes, a more mobile back four has improved, protected by a vigilant Maurice Edu on this occasion. Wingers Robbie Rogers and especially Brek Shea showed a willingness to take on opponents, penetrating and threatening, but not providing the final telling ball. And the forwards blustered, but couldn’t convert while Costa Rica nullified the high-energy, pressing U.S. game with 27 fouls and one finely executed counterattack.

Quotable:

“We’re buying into his system and his ideas,” said defender Carlos Bocanegra, a long-time Bob Bradley stalwart sounding like he was trying to convince himself of that, while declining to compare Klinsmann’s style to his predecessor.

“We’re going in with an open mind, which if the main thing,” he added.

But some players appear to feel more than a bit liberated under Klinsmann’s short tenure:

“He’s given me the opportunity to just play freely,” said midfielder Jose Torres. “And that gives you a lot of confidence.”

Next for the U.S.: Belgium on Tuesday in Brussels.

Final: U.S. 0 Costa Rica 1

The U.S. lost, but were never defeated tonight in front of a boisterous crowd of 15,798.

Yes, Costa Rica won – on a rather fortunate goal after a devastating pass – but U.S. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann will be encouraged by the manner of the loss.

The U.S. never stopped pushing, Agudelo looked once again more enlivened than the player he replaced, Brek Shea was a constant attacking threat, the back four looked generally solid (and fast) and Jose Torres sprayed long passes around in midfield in a way that suggests he complements Landon Donovan well.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable game and something to build on.

More later.

****************************

The U.S. is pushing for the equalizer in the final 10 minutes. Juan Agudelo sent a roar through the crowd in the 84th minute when he beat two of three Costa Rican defenders in succession in the opposing penalty area before being dispossessed.

******************

Both Brek Shea and Sacha Kljestan have received yellow cards after the Costa Ricans took exception to a 78th minute challenge he made on the goalkeeper during an attack down the left wing.

In the ensuring melee, Shea managed to escape further punishment after pushing Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas over.

*****************************

(Apologies, the Internet has gone south here at the HDC).

Jose Torres had a 30-yard shot diverted around the post in the 71st minute.

********************************

Costa Rica went ahead in the 65th minute when a long ball by Alvaro Sanchez caught the U.S. defense napping. Alvaro Saborio sent the cross over to Michael Barrantes — beating two U.S. defenders in the process – who saw his effort saved by Tim Howard, but Rodney Wallace followed up with the diving header from about six yards.

*************

Juan Agudelo has replaced Jozy Altidore in the 62nd minute; the teenager gets a huge cheer from the crowd.

**********

Landon Donovan got a yellow card for an innocuous yellow card in midfield in the 58th minute; that was not a bookable offense.

*************

The U.S. had the ball in the net in the 55th minute after a long Robbie Rogers run put Jozy Altidore through; Altidore was offside.

******************

From the AP story on the Ireland-Slovakia scoreless draw today:

Striker Robbie Keane, who flew back to Dublin this week after starting his new job with the Los Angeles Galaxy, blew a gift-wrapped chance for a 74th-minute winner.

Winger Damien Duff floated a pinpoint cross into the box to Keane, who had got inside his marker. But Ireland’s record goal-scorer headed over the crossbar from barely four yards out.

*****************

The pizzaz went out of the game in the last 15 minutes of the half, but Costa Rica arguably had their two best chances of the night so far in first half stoppage time.

Captain Randall Azofeifa had a sharp shot Tim Howard dived and saved on the six-yard line; moments later Alvaro Sanchez followed up with a shot Howard punched over the bar.

There’s a buzz in the crowd tonight even at the half with the U.S. looker sharper, more energized than their opponents.

Still, Costa Rica are credited with two shots on goal and the U.S. none, which doesn’t really reflect the run of play.

******************

Robbie Rogers and Brek Shea are alternating wings as we figured they would tonight. Almost a half hour gone and the U.S has had the vast amount of possession.

Altidore almost broke through in the 28th minute, but the Costa Rican goalkeeper collects the ball.

********************

Landon Donovan sent a 25-yard free kick over the Ticos’ bar in the 23rd minute.

***********************

A Costa Rican snapshot in the 19th minute that flashes past the far post is their best chance of the game so far; Michael Orozco Fiscal was pulled down so the Ticos could get the shot away though. The Honduran ref didn’t catch that.

****************

Is it just me or is there a far looser feel to this team already than under Bob Bradley?

******************

The game is six minutes old and already Brek Shea looks like he’s going to play a prominent role down the left wing. The three U.S. attacks so far have all come through him; he set up a sixth minute Landon Donovan shot and moments later set Jozy Altidore up for a goal scoring chance, too.

***********

Rogers is on the right wing; Shea on the left to start the game.

********************

Gorgeous night for football this Labor Day weekend in the South Bay where a warm day has given way to a breezy, comfortable night.

Looks like Sam’s Army/American Outlaws will save the atmosphere tonight, massed behind Tim Howard’s goal and already in full cry given that the stadium is likely to be half full or half empty depending on your point of view.

LA always empties out on summer weekends, which is why the Galaxy and Chivas USA never play at home on those occasions, but apparently U.S. Soccer didn’t get the memo.

This game breaks all the rules for a Southern California USMNT friendly – featuring a Latin American opponent – but it appears at this point Ticos fans will be outnumbered which is good to see.

USMNT Coach Jurgen Klinsmann is sending out what is nominally a 4-3-3 formation with what I presume are Robbie Rogers and Brek Shea arrayed as the left and right wingers respectively and Jozy Altidore the lone forward up front. Landon Donovan will occupy his familiar withdrawn striking role as playmaker with Fontana’s Maurice Edu stopping things up as the holding midfielder.

Here’s the U.S. XI: Tim Howard-Timmy Chandler, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Carlos Bocanegra, Edgar Castillo – Maurice Edu, Jose Torres, Landon Donovan – Brek Shea, Jozy Altidore, Robbie Rogers.

Juan Agudelo is among the options off the bench as is former Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan.

Chivas USA defender Michael umana gets the start for Costa Rica in defense.

Here’s the Ticos’ XI (4-3-3): Keylor Navas-Michael Umana, Roy Miller, Carlos Johnson, Jhonny Acosta-Michael Barrantes, Randall Azofeifa, Alvaro Sanchez-Josue Martinez, Randall Brenes, Alvaro Saborio

The game is on ESPN2.

Refresh this post for updates throughout the game.

Underlining the new fan friendly approach from U.S. Soccer, Klinsmann conducted a little Q&A before the game on the PA system.

The upper deck is closed tonight as are several sections next to the club seats at the corners of the stadium forcing fans closer together in an effort to enhance the atmosphere.

It’s worked. This is a loud crowd tonight, perhaps illustrating that a long holiday weekend helps cull the casual fans and attract support from hard-core types.

The 24-player roster, which includes Chivas USA’s Heath Pearce, Rolling Hills Estates Robbie Rogers and former Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan is here.

Note there is no place for Freddy Adu, who was on the roster, but didn’t play against Mexico earlier this month or American-born Joe Corona, the former San Diego State player who now plays in Tijuana and was called up to Mexico’s U-22 team.

Tickets are on sale starting at $20.

The U.S. Men’s National Team will hold a public training session from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Home Depot Center. Admission and parking are free.

Fans who plan on attending are requested to register by emailing rsvp@ussoccer.org.

Also, Chivas USA defender Ante Jazic, 35, was called up by Canada for the World cup qualifiers against St. Lucia Sept. 2 and Puerto Rico Sept. 6.

The glittering Football Association Challenge Cup – yup, that’s its full name – was displayed at the British Consulate in San Francisco earlier this month (AP Photo).

You can when holders Manchester City play the Galaxy at 1 p.m. at Home Depot Center (live on ESPN).

Tickets, starting at $30, are still available.

The knockout FA Cup, where minnows were pitted against giants beginning in the third round and the tournament built to its day-long televised finale a la the Super Bowl, was a much-loved and prestigious sporting event when I was growing up in England, unlike the lightly-regarded U.S. Open Cup here.

It’s Victorian Era beginnings – it began in 1871 – and reputation for unlikely giant-killing moments (Hereford United and Ronny Radford anyone?) gave the tournament an air of nostalgia and romance.

The 1923 “white horse” final (the first at Wembley), the epic 1953 Stanley Matthews final and classics like Chelsea-Leeds United in 1971 on that bog of a pitch are an integral part of the competition’s lore.

And the indelible images of any post-final celebration always included the iconic trophy being held aloft by the captain and its lid atop the Man of the Match’s head.

From the Football Association website:

The original trophy, much smaller than the present one, was made by Messrs Martin, Hall & Co. and cost 20. In 1895, after Aston Villa had won the competition, the cup was stolen from the window of a firm of football outfitters in Birmingham where it had been placed on display. It was never recovered.

The present trophy, played for since 1992, is the competition’s fourth and an exact replica of the third. Manchester United have won the Cup the most times (11), followed by Arsenal (10) and Tottenham Hotspur (eight). Forty-two different clubs have won it.

But never by Norwich City – not that I’m bitter (ahem).

From the Galaxy press release:

Fans at Sunday’s game will be able to have their photo taken with the actual FA Cup that Manchester City won last year, as well as the Supporters’ Shield which the Galaxy won in 2010 for having the best regular season record in MLS. Additionally, fans will have the chance to enter to win an authentic Galaxy or Manchester City jersey from Sunday’s game, simply by having their photo taken with either of the trophies inside the Southwest entrance of the stadium.

It’s free.

City beat Stoke City 1-0 to win the cup.

Now Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is describing his club’s closest rival as being among the favorites for the EPL title.

From left, Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini, Manchester City player Gareth Barry, Galaxy striker Juan Pablo Angel and Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena attend a news conference today in Marina Del Rey to promote Sunday’s World Football Challenge game between the two teams at Home Depot Center (AP Photo).

From the obligatory World Football Challenge news conference today at the Ritz-Carlton:

MARINA DEL REY (AP) – Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini considers Carlos Tevez an important member of his squad despite the Argentina striker’s uncertain future with the club.

Tevez has expressed a desire to leave the English Premier League club after
two seasons in order to be near his family in South America. He remains with Manchester
City after an agreement on a move to Corinthians was unable to be worked out.

“At the moment, Carlos is still a City player,” Mancini said. “In the future, we will see what
can happen. For us, Carlos is an important player.”

Mancini said he has yet to speak with Tevez but respects the captain’s wish to play closer to his family. The Manchester City manager said the uncertainty isn’t affecting the way he is preparing for the season.

“Carlos wants to leave for his family,” Mancini said. “Only because of this the, club accepts
it. I think it’s because we respect his reason.”

Tevez appeared to be on his way to Corinthians until the proposed move fell through this week. The transfer would have reunited Tevez with his former club, but Corinthians said they needed more time to arrange a deal.

Tevez has been a stabilizing force up front in his time with City, scoring 43 goals in Premiership play over the past two campaigns. He had 20 goals last season in helping
Manchester City qualify for the Champions League.

While his departure would be a blow to Manchester City, the club is exploring avenues of
improving its squad through the acquisition of multiple players, according to Mancini, who
wouldn’t mention specific names.

The club has been linked to highly sought-after striker Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid. But Mancini cautioned that the competitive market doesn’t make it easy to sign players of Aguero’s caliber.

“It’s difficult to buy good players because all the good teams want these players,” Mancini
said. “I hope before the game against United, we can add players.”

Manchester City has been training in the United States in preparation of its season opener
against Manchester United in the FA Community Shield on Aug. 7.

Manchester City will play the third game of its preseason tour Sunday against the Galaxy. Already Manchester City has defeated Club America and the Vancouver Whitecaps on its trip.

“The games have been good for what we need at this stage of preseason,” midfielder Gareth Barry said. “The one on Sunday will probably be the toughest test. But we’re where we want to be.”

Tevez has been absent from the U.S. tour while playing for Argentina in Copa America. Barry said his teammates remain relatively unaffected by the uncertainty surrounding the star striker.

“Obviously, there are a few conversations about it. But the lads are just trying to get fit and enjoy the games,” Barry said. “For the players, there’s nothing really you can do anything about.”

Here’s how Brit Chris Birchall, the Galaxy midfielder, is approaching the game against a club that dwarfs those he played for in England.

*The San Jose Earthquakes announced today they have signed former Loyola Marymount University midfielder Rafael Baca of Lawndale who has trained with the club since mid-February.

The native of Mexico appeared in three games for the club’s reserves, starting two of them.

Baca scored 19 goals for LMU.

Baca attended Amino Leadership High School in Inglewood where he scored 58 goals.

*Real Madrid announced its rosters for the July 16 game against the Galaxy at the Coliseum and the July 20 match in San Diego against CD Guadalajara. Both are pretty much the same as the previously announced roster for the July 23 game against Philadelphia, which I had previously blogged here.

The LA roster also includes left back Fabio Coentrao who signed from Benfica on a six-year contract earlier this week for $43.4 million.

As they did last year, when Real Madrid played at the Rose Bowl, the club will open practices to the public at UCLA next Wednesday through Friday.

Incidentally, the marketing mavens selling the San Diego game said today that ticket sales are “lagging” and that might be a good option for LA fans, too.

Why? One word: Carmageddon.

The Galaxy have a web page of transportation tips, too.

I have a better solution though: The Galaxy announced today the game will be shown live on ESPN (as will the July 24 game against Manchester City at Home Depot Center).

*MLS will announce the XI of all-star team selected by fans at the half of the 1 p.m. Seattle-Sounders-PortlandTimbers game on ESPN

The MLS All-Star First XI, as selected by fans, is set to be announced on ESPN at halftime of this Sunday’s Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FC game, which starts at 4 p.m. ET. The MLS All-Star game against Manchester United is set for July 27.

Updated

Apparently not content with getting spanked by Mexico in Pasadena in the Gold Cup final, the U.S. will play their regional rivals at 6 p.m. Aug. 10 in Philadelphia live on ESPN@ and Univision, U.S. Soccer announced this afternoon.

The hosts: From right to left, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Diego Milito and Javier Mascherano gesture at the end of a training session Wednesday ahead of the 2011 Copa America, which begins today (AP Photos).

We’re about five hours away from the 5:30 p.m. kickoff of Copa America (Bolivia-Brazil live on Telefutura), South America’s most important national team competition outside the World Cup.

Southern California’s many Latin American immigrants will be watching to see how how their homeland does in the tournament.

The many local fans of European teams will be running the rule over the region’s biggest stars, many of whom are rumored to be heading to Europe this fall (or are looking for a bigger club if they’re already there).

Everyone else should watch because the quality of futbol on display will make you forget all about Bob Bradley and his banal boys. Hopefully.

I just have one question: How do you think it bodes for Argentina’s chances that the tournament mascot is a flightless bird? (That’s Tangolero to the right).

Check out the preview from Associated Press Sports Writer Stephen Wade:

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Believe it or not, Lionel Messi has something to prove.

He needs to show Argentine fans he’s the world’s greatest soccer player when wearing the country’s famous blue-and-white shirt.

Messi starts romancing the crowds when Argentina opens the 3-week Copa America — the South American championship — against Bolivia on Friday.

Messi has rarely played with the same allure for Argentina as he has for Barcelona — and never when it counts. Argentina exited last year’s World Cup with a humiliating 4-0 loss in the quarterfinals to Germany. Messi didn’t score during the entire tournament.

Everything is now set for Messi to excel. An elite power without much recent success,
Argentina is the host. Messi is coming off his greatest season at Barcelona, and new coach Sergio Batista has his players trying to mimic the Catalan team’s style of quick passes and possession play.

“Messi is going to have a great Copa America,” Batista said. “Having the best player in the world means a lot, and we’ll try to make him comfortable so he produces his best. This is an enormous advantage.”

Messi is an outsider at home. He left Argentina for Barcelona as a youth player, spent his
formative years in Spain and has never played for one of his country’s famed clubs.

His personality also leaves many Argentines cold. He seldom jokes around, seems uncomfortable speaking and lacks the charisma of Diego Maradona. Known in Spanish as “La Pulga” (The Flea), Messi has yet to lift a trophy for his country of birth.

“It’s been awhile since Argentina has won an important title,” Messi said. “We need some joy for ourselves and our fans.”

Carlos Tevez is likely to be the other main scoring threat for Argentina. Known affectionately as “Carlitos,” he’s the country’s most popular player and is the opposite of Messi. Tevez starred for Boca Juniors, grew up poor in a Buenos Aires shantytown and never stops smiling.

Argentina’s last major international title was in 1993, the Copa America. The last of its two World Cup titles was in 1986, and its club scene is a mess.

River Plate, which has won more league titles than anyone, was relegated to the second
division last week, sparking riots between hooligans and 2,200 police. The area around River Plate’s Monumental Stadium — where the Copa America final will be played July 24 — turned into a smoldering war zone and was closed for several days while a prosecutor opened an investigation.

The club said this week it has begun making repairs after hooligans ransacked concession areas, ripped out seats and smashed fixtures in toilets.

“The way the stadium was left was shocking,” prosecutor Gustavo Galante said.
Security officials say 2,000 police have been assigned to Friday’s opening match between Argentina and Bolivia.

The (relatively) new boys from Brazil: From left Neymar, Alexandre Pato, Paulo Henrique Ganso and Robinho pose for a photo during a training session Thursday ahead of the 2011 Copa America near Campana, Argentina.

On the field, Brazil is still Argentina’s biggest worry.

The Brazilians have defeated Argentina in the past two Copa America finals, and have won four of the last five titles. Argentina is a slight favorite this time, adding even more
pressure.

Brazil, which was also knocked out of the World Cup in the quarterfinals, is missing Kaka,
Luis Fabiano, Ronaldinho and Adriano. This team is rebuilding and will be led by youngsters such as Neymar, Alexandre Pato, Lucas and Paulo Henrique Ganso.

Argentina and Brazil seem certain to advance from the group stage, and the real action will start in the quarterfinals of July 16 and 17.

Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Colombia are considered long shots, with Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela given little chance.

Also included are Mexico and Costa Rica, which are playing as invited teams to increase the field to 12. Both have arrived with youth teams instead of the senior sides that played in the recent Gold Cup.

Mexico defeated the United States 4-2 in that final of that regional championship. Eight
players from the Copa America squad were suspended Tuesday for breaking training rules.

Costa Rica replaced Japan, which withdrew after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Meet the Press: A United Rio Ferdinand and Sir Alex Ferguson speak at a news conference today ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Champions League finale (AP Photos).

Let’s hope I’m not jinxing the occasion or over-hyping it, but all the signs are pointing to a game for the ages when this one kicks off at about 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Fox and I’m not alone in thinking that. Associated Press writer Stuart Condie has more:

WEMBLEY, England (AP) — Alex Ferguson believes the Champions League showdown between Manchester United and Barcelona could be the best final in the last 10 years.

With Barcelona lauded as one of the greatest clubs in soccer history and Ferguson insisting his players are better prepared than when the teams met two years ago, the United manager said Friday the ingredients are in place for a classic.

Barcelona has already clinched a third straight Spanish title, and such is the fashion in
which Lionel Messi and his teammates routinely dismantle opponents that United is a clear underdog Saturday despite having reached a third final in four seasons.

“The success both teams have had in the past decade has been enormous,” Ferguson said. “It really could be the best final of the decade. The attraction of two teams with such history is obvious. Anything could happen in this game.”

The coaches are agreed on one thing: Each team will give a better account of itself than it did in the 2009 final, when United was rattled by Barcelona’s early goal and went down
2-0.

“I’m very happy with winning in Rome,” said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who as a player helped Barcelona win its first title in 1992. “But let’s be honest, we have to play better than we played in Rome and I have told my players that repeatedly.”

Barcelona has done that for much of this season, with the likes of world champions Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets helping their team control close to two-thirds possession in this season’s Champions League — against supposedly Europe’s best teams.

“Fans want us to be faithful to the way we play, to our philosophy, and we will be,” goalkeeper Victor Valdes said. “If we are to win, that’s the only way we can get there.”

Ferguson acknowledged that he had consulted Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho for ideas on how to approach the game. Ferguson’s friend is one of the select few to have engineered a victory — albeit one that was followed by a humbling defeat in the Champions League semifinals — over Barcelona this season.

“I’ve had a small conversation with him and he’s wished us all the best,” Ferguson said. “He knows we’re prepared.”

United enters the game coming off a record 19th English title. It also advanced to the final without conceding an away goal and is drawing close to two decades of dominance in England. Still, it is the biggest long shot in a Champions League final in more than a decade.

Pep talks: Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola may lead a club team out against Manchester United that frighteningly enough may not reach its full potential for several years.

“We are proud that in the future — in the next four, five, 10, 15 years — some guys will
remember this team playing right now,” Guardiola said. “If they say, ‘One time I saw this team and they played good for us,’” we are glad. But to say we are the best team ever is
impossible. It is not true.”

With a penalty-kick shootout to follow if neither team wins through regulation or extra time, one club will leave Wembley tied with Bayern Munich and Ajax with four titles. Only Real Madrid, AC Milan and Liverpool have won more.

Barcelona won its first title at Wembley in 1992 before picking up two more titles in the past five years. United also won its first at the north London stadium in 1968 in a 4-1 victory over Portugal’s Benfica with George Best at his dazzling best.

“It’s at Wembley and that gives you an awareness that this is a big game,” said Ferguson, the most decorated manager in English soccer. “And I like big games.”

Ferguson’s players want some payback for 2009.

“It doesn’t bother us who is favorite and who is not,” United midfielder Michael Carrick said. “It is about performing in a one-off game. We respect them for what they are, the way they play the game and the strengths they have.”

Carrick is likely to start, with the veteran Ryan Giggs or more defensive Darren Fletcher
alongside him. England striker Wayne Rooney is likely to sit deep behind Mexican international Javier Hernandez, with Antonio Valencia and Park Ji-sung occupying the wide positions.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol said he is fit following the knee injury that restricted him to a handful of games since January. Guardiola said fullback Eric Abidal is available and free from the aftereffects of a liver tumor this season.

“Anyone coming to a game of this nature doesn’t care what the experts say or the bookmakers say,” Ferguson said. “We will be going out there with a genuine chance.