Champions League finalist FC Barcelona will meet Seattle Sounders FC on Aug. 5 at Qwest Field.
An official announcement by the Sounders, Major League Soccer and FCB is expected today.
The friendly will be included as part of the Sounders’ season-ticket package. Individual game tickets go on sale June 15.
Barcelona stands among the most popular and powerful soccer clubs in the world. It will try to add to its reputation May 27 when meeting Manchester United in the European Champions League final in Rome.
Barca advanced past Chelsea after 0-0 and 1-1 draws were settled on away goals.
By coincidence, Chelsea also will visit Qwest Field this summer, meeting the Sounders in a previously announced friendly at noon July 18. Individual tickets for that game go on sale Monday.
The Sounders sold more than 22,000 season tickets packages made up of 18 games: 15 MLS regular-season matches, and three other games: Chelsea, Barcelona and the MLS Cup, which will be played Nov. 22.
The Sounders have announced that Qwest Field’s upper deck will be opened for Chelsea, creating a capacity of around 67,000. It is likely the same will be done for Barcelona.
FCB was formed Nov. 28, 1899, and became one of the world’s most successful clubs. It plays in La Liga, the highest division of Spanish soccer, and has never been relegated. The club has won 18 La Liga titles, 24 Spanish Cup titles, two UEFA Cups, two UEFA Cup Winners’ Cups, and two UEFA Super Cups. It plays at Camp Nou, the largest stadium in Europe with a capacity of 98,772.
Don Ruiz, 253-597-8808
blogs.thenewstribune.com/soccer
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