Despite the torrential downpour and thunder rolling in the sky above MetLife Stadium, 82,154 fans endured a mid-summer storm to witness Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 2-1 in an exciting preseason friendly between two rivals that has become somewhat of a tradition in the United States.
The absence of some of the Spanish clubs’ biggest stars did not deter the crowd from enjoying the spectacle. Young stars such as Barcelona’s Pau Victor and Nico Paz, as well as veterans like Real Madrid’s Luka Modric, gave their all on the muddy pitch across the Hudson River from Manhattan for 90 minutes of pure entertainment.
Spectators sang the clubs’ chants and enjoyed fireworks for every goal scored, even those that were later disallowed for offside. The match, while unofficial in terms of record-keeping, held significant meaning for the international soccer ecosystem.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick commented, “This is preseason and it’s totally different than the normal Clasico. You can see that a lot of players are missing from both teams, but it’s really good to have all these players here, especially the young players.”
Despite the weather causing a brief halt in play after just 12 minutes, enthusiasm for the match remained high as fans eagerly awaited its resumption.
Fans took shelter at MetLife Stadium when the Barca-Real match was suspended (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
Reporters gathered around Flick in a glass-enclosed conference room as fans peered through translucent walls at the stadium, which will host the 2026 men’s World Cup final. Supporters’ cheers often drowned out journalists’ questions, with security repeatedly requesting quiet.
The summer saw numerous high-profile soccer friendlies taking place across the U.S., with European football clubs traveling coast-to-coast to compete in various stadiums. Teams from top leagues such as the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, Serie A in Italy, and the German Bundesliga, as well as Wrexham from the English Football League, engaged in press tours and events nationwide.
One such event was Manchester City’s encounter with AC Milan at Yankee Stadium, where Christian Pulisic featured for Milan. The match drew a crowd of 46,122 fans, showcasing the growing interest in European football in the U.S.
Erling Haaland runs out at Yankee Stadium last month (Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Amidst the spectacle, the strong business relationships between professional clubs like Manchester City and AC Milan and American sports entities like the Yankees were evident. In 2013, Manchester City and the Yankees joined forces to establish MLS expansion side NYCFC, showcasing the deep ties between soccer and American sports.
AC Milan, also with American connections through ownership by RedBird Capital Partners and a minority stake by the Yankees, has expanded its presence in the U.S. market. AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani highlighted the club’s American identity and expressed enthusiasm for engaging with U.S. fans.
Barcelona and AC Milan played in Baltimore, Maryland, on August 6 (Samuel Corum/AFP via Getty Images)
Further showcasing the international reach of soccer clubs, Wrexham, co-owned by actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, played Chelsea in successive summers in the U.S. The match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, drew an announced attendance of 32,724, underscoring the growing interest in European football stateside.
As American ownership in international football continues to rise, clubs like Arsenal, owned by the Kroenke family through KSE, engage in U.S. preseason tours to grow their brand. The business relationships between American sports entities like the Rams and international soccer clubs like Arsenal showcase the convergence of sports culture.
The increasing frequency of European clubs visiting the U.S. for matches reflects the growing global interest in soccer. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the importance of international tours for expanding the sport’s reach.