La Liga Invades the US

Real Madrid and Barcelona wrapped up a week of friendlies in the United States playing two MLS teams on Saturday. Both clubs packed stadiums and brought out the crowds for their brief US tours.

Barcelona took on the NY Red Bulls at a packed Giants Stadium with 79,000 in attendance. Ronaldinho started the match along with many of the other big named players. Scoring started early as a pentalty kick was awarded to Barca in the 13 minute. Red Bulls defender Marvell Wynne pulled down Samuel Etoo in the penalty area. Ronaldinho's penalty kick beat goalkeeper Tony Meola to his left.

The Red Bulls tied Saturday's game in the 39th minute, when Ronaldinho gave the ball away to Dema Kovalenko in his own zone. Kovalenko then pushed the ball ahead to Edson Buddle, whose shot was deflected by Barcelona goalie Victor Valdes.

The score remained tied leading into halftime. In the 51st minute of the match Messi took a ball down the right and made a perfect cross in to Ronaldinho who put in tin the back of the net to go up 2-1.

Eleven minutes later, Messi got his score by drawing Conway out of the goal, then shaking past for a 3-1 lead. Barcelona's final goal came in the 87th minute, when Javier Saviola went unabated to the goal after receiving a pass from Messi.

The final score ended up 4-1 in this exciting matchup. "Every game is important to us because we always want to leave a good impression for the public," Rijkaard said. "I think the emotion was great and everyone enjoyed the game. I think the Red Bulls played a good game. They didn't come here just to defend us - they came to participate and it turned out to be a good game for the spectators."

Following this match was Real Madrid taking on Real Salt Lake in Salt Lake City, Utah. Real Madrid brought a full squad to the US including players like David Beckham, Raul, Roberto Carlos, Ruud van Nistlerooy and Robinho.

The match started off with Real Salt Lake marking tightly and not letting Real Madrid get in many opportunities. The first goal came late in the first half on a Penalty kick. Ruud Van Nistlerooy took the penalty to put Madrid up 1-0. In the second goal came later with Robinho getting the pass fron van Nislerooy to put it in the back if the net and finish this one off at 2-0.

Tempers were flaring in the second half and this friendly match became a little less than friendly. A red card issued to Salt Lake's Atiba Harris in the 58th minute. Harris was ejected for taking out Sergio Ramos by sliding into the Spanish defender with his cleats high.

Real Madrid left the US with a 1-0-1 record after a draw with DC United earlier in the week. Looks like they have a lot of work to do to get ready for La Liga's opening weeknd.

On the English front, Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 to take the first piece of silverware for the season. The FA Community Shield match was help in Cardiff's Millineum Stadium again this year. Wembley was schedule to be completed but is still having problems getting the final construction done. Riise picked up the first goal on a counterattack putting the ball passed Cudichini to put Liverpool up 1-0. Later int he first half Chelsea's Shevchenko handled a Lampard cross niclely and placed it in the back of the net.

This would remain the score until late in the match when Craig Bellamy would take the ball down the left wing and place a beautiful ball right on the head of Peter Crouch, who put it in the back of the net. John Terry was no where to be found in this picture. The final score ended up 2-1 and Liverpool collected the first trophy of the season. Could we be seeing Chelsea move in the direction of Real Madrid? Buying loads of players and then winning nothing. Let's hope so. Tune in next week as we kick off the EPL Season.