FC Barcelona announces USA/Mexico summer tour

Barcelona is coming to America. Or, rather the Americas, as the Catalan club announced they will tour the United States and Mexico this summer.

The Blaugrana have been down this road before with preseason trips across the Atlantic in 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2011, visiting the likes of Seattle, Monterrey, Los Angeles, Miami and Boston.

With recent preseason expeditions to Asia and other European locales, visiting America and Mexico should provide a nice change of pace.

No dates have been confirmed. However, MLS is still looking for an opponent to play against its All Star team on July 29 near Denver, Colorado.

Trips to foreign locals, especially the United States and Mexico, are prime opportunities for clubs to build their international brand. Barcelona seems to be doing just fine in that department, as arguably the world’s most recognizable. This is partly thanks to a boatload of trophies, as well as the constant presence of superstars. Lionel Messi, Xavi, Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho are just a few of the legends who have donned the Barcelona shirt in recent years.

The current squad still features Messi and Xavi, but it won’t likely be your normal Barcelona traveling party come the summer. Luis Suarez, Messi, Neymar, Claudio Bravo and Javier Mascherano could all begin training later than their teammates due to Copa America commitments.

Even if the aforementioned five players miss preseason matches, the La Liga heavyweights will still trot out a lineup that features world-class talents in Xavi and Andres Iniesta, as well as other elite players such as Sergio Brusquets, Gerard Pique, Ivan Rakitic and Jordy Alba.

Barcelona have visited a wide variety of markets when crossing the Atlantic, playing in Boston, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia in 2003 and Monterrey, Los Angeles, Houston and New York in 2006. The year 2009 saw the team travel to Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco, while 2011 brought a return trip to Washington D.C. as well as visits to Miami and Dallas.

Wherever the Blaugrana end up playing, regardless of how many stars suit up, you can bet they’ll be the hottest ticket in town.