Goals from Luis Suarez and Sergi Roberto lifted Barcelona to a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Tuesday that Barcelona coach Luis Enrique called an encouraging start to the European champions’ North America tour.
Uruguay international Suarez came out on top in a clash with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard — the Galaxy’s latest acquisition from Europe.
His 45th-minute strike and Roberto’s 56th-minute goal ensured that even without such stars as Lionel Messi and Neymar — let off the pre-season tour after Copa America duty — Barcelona got the win their dominant performance deserved in front of 93,226 spectators at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl.
Photo: AFP
It was the largest crowd ever to watch a match featuring a Major League Soccer club.
“Based on what a first game of the pre-season looks like, considering we have only had about seven days of practice ... I feel very positive,” Enrique said.
Barcelona, preparing to defend their La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League treble, effectively neutralized any threat from Gerrard and Galaxy teammate Robbie Keane, while pressing relentlessly themselves.
They were finally rewarded in the 45th minute when Suarez fired a left-footed shot past Galaxy ‘keeper Brian Rowe after Rafinha’s deflected cross was moved on by Marc Bartra.
Suarez had been off-target from inside the area in the 11th minute and from long range in the 23rd, while Rowe made a diving save to keep out Roberto’s attempt from outside the box in the 35th.
“I’m happy with the way the team played, with the level, the intensity,” Enrique said, adding that “everything can be better.”
Both teams made wholesale changes at the break. Suarez was among seven Barcelona players to depart, with Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique entering the game.
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena went even further, but Luis Enrique said such sweeping changes were “logical” for both teams.
His moves allowed him to give more of his men a chance to get back into the groove, while he felt his opposite number was wise to avoid excessive wear and tear on key players like Gerrard and Keane with his team in the midst of their MLS title defense.
Arena was delighted to give his younger players some experience.
“I don’t think Keane and Gerrard need these games as much as the young kids need the experience,” Arena said. “For our young players it was an invaluable experience.”
The changes did not slow Barca, with Douglas going close in the 47th minute and Pique testing Galaxy substitute goalkeeper Andrew Wolverton in the 53rd after a pass from Munir.
Munir also helped set up Roberto’s 56th-minute strike from the edge of the box.
Tommy Meyer grabbed a consolation goal for the Galaxy in the first minute of stoppage-time, heading in from close range.
The Galaxy now head back into MLS action, with a visit to the Houston Dynamo on Sunday.
Barcelona next travel to San Francisco to take on Manchester United on Saturday at Levi’s Stadium, home of the NFL’s 49ers.
“In three days we will have to be better,” said Luis Enrique, whose team complete their US swing against English champions Chelsea in Washington on Tuesday next week before playing ACF Fiorentina in Florence, Italy, on Aug. 2.
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