Henry leads Barcelona's U.S. tour
French icon highlights U.S. games vs. New York, Guadalajara
NEW YORK - French star Thierry Henry highlights an all-star roster dotted with World Cup veterans and national team heroes, as one of the world's great soccer clubs, FC Barcelona, arrives in the United States this Thursday, July 31, for the start of their week-long 2008 U.S. tour. Barca takes on legendary Mexican side CD Guadalajara at Chicago's Soldier Field on Sunday, Aug. 3 (6 p.m. CT), and Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at Giants Stadium (7 p.m. ET) in E. Rutherford, NJ. In addition to game action, the team will participate in a number of public appearances, media events and philanthropic endeavors.
FC Barcelona brings to the states some of the most popular soccer icons in the world, including Henry, Mexican international defender Rafael Marquez, Cameroon standout Samuel Eto'o, and a trio of Spanish national team standouts who recently helped their squad win the 2008 UEFA Euro Championship - defender and captain Carles Puyol, midfielder Andres Iniesta and tournament MVP Xavi. As a club, Barca has captured 18 league titles, two European championships, two European Super Cups, four Cup Winner's Cups and several other national and continental cups.
For tickets to the Red Bulls-FC Barcelona match, please call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
FC Barcelona U.S. Tour Roster:
Goalkeepers - Albert Jorquera, Jose Manuel Pinto, Victor Valdez
Defenders - Eric Abidal (FRA), Daniel Alves (BRA), Jose Martín Caceres (URU), Rafael Marquez (MEX), Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Sylvinho (BRA)
Midfielders - Sergio Busquets, Marc Crosas, Xavi Hernandez, Alexander Hleb (BLR), Andres Iniesta, Seydou Keita (MLI), Victor Sanchez, Victor Vazquez, Toure Yaya (CIV)
Forwards - Eidur Gudjohnsen (ISL), Thierry Henry (FRA), Bojan Krkic, Samuel Eto'o (CAM), Pedro, Jeffren Suarez
Head Coach - Josep Guardiola
FC Barcelona Team Itinerary
(All times local)
Chicago
Thursday, July 31
1:00 p.m. - Airport arrival via charter flight (no media availability)
2:15 p.m. (approx.) - Arrival at W Lakeshore Hotel (b-roll only)
8:00 p.m. - Training @ University of Illinois-Chicago
Friday, Aug. 1
9:30 a.m. - Training @ University of Illinois-Chicago
1:00 p.m. - News Conference @ W Lakeshore Hotel
5:00 p.m. - Nike event @ Nike Town (details TBA)
7:00 p.m. - Open Training @ Toyota Park (Tickets available via the Chicago Fire)
Saturday, Aug. 2
9:30 a.m. - Training @ University of Illinois-Chicago
7:00 p.m. - Training @ Soldier Field
Sunday, Aug. 3
6:00 p.m. - FC Barcelona vs. CD Guadalajara @ Soldier Field (Tickets available at Ticketmaster)
New York
Monday, Aug. 4
1:45 p.m. - Airport arrival via charter flight (no media availability)
2:30 p.m. (approx.) - Arrival at St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan (b-roll only)
4:00 p.m. - News Conference @ St. Regis Hotel (St. Regis Roof)
6:00 p.m. - Light Stretch (location TBA)
Tuesday, Aug. 5
10:00 a.m. - Training (location TBA)
5:00 p.m. - Malaria No More event (details TBA)
7:00 p.m. - Training @ Giants Stadium
Wednesday, Aug. 6
7:00 p.m. - FC Barcelona vs. New York Red Bulls @ Giants Stadium (Tickets available at Ticketmaster)
