Manchester United are going back to America to take on Major League Soccer’s best in the 2011 MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena on July 27.
After getting humbled in last summer’s showpiece, the MLS Stars will certainly have revenge on their minds as the Reds sent them to their first loss against an international opposition at Reliant Stadium, which was an overwhelming 5-2 defeat.
United has yet to confirm any of their other summer plans, but, according to One United USA, which is the official supporters’ club for Manchester United in America, an official announcement is set to take place on Tuesday, March 29.
With this disclosure, it almost seems inevitable that United will follow up their Tour 2010 with one this coming summer, and, to be frank, it would go hand-in-hand with their new marketing objective.
The Reds have been doing their best to break into the American market, and their ambition to capture is stamped by opting to come and play against the MLS All-Stars for the second year in a row. Before last season, the awareness of how massive of a club United is has fallen on deaf ears for Americans, but their presence last season and the emergence of Javier Hernandez could very well be changing that status this time around.
12 months ago, Chicharito was an unknown signing from Chivas Guadalajara for United, but, since then, the young Mexican has not only burst onto the world’s stage, but he has captured all of the hearts along the way.
Concern
Since it opened last season, Red Bull Arena has become the pearl of MLS’ soccer-specific stadium models, so the 25,189 will be packed to the rafters in anticipation of the Reds visit. What is most shocking about the selection of Red Bull Arena for the all-star game is that the Major League Soccer executives have decided against better judgment by playing against Manchester United in such a tiny stadium.
As state-of-the-art as it may be, the Reds have set numerous attendance records in all of the much larger venues that they have played in during their last three trips to the States, so it could very well leave some fans with a sour taste in their mouth. In sport, reputations are often damaged when a fan is unable to get what they want, need or desire, and a ticket to this one-of-a-kind match fits into all three of those categories.
Supporters on this side of the Atlantic are very excited to welcome Manchester United back to the United States – even if it is just for one, two or five matches.
Submitted by The United Religion
