Wednesday’s friendly
vs. D.C. doesn’t inspire
Plenty of top-tier European soccer teams have crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the last few years as part of a preseason regimen. It helps them avoid the heavy scrutiny they face at home while training and taking part in an exhibition match or two, often against an opponent from Major League Soccer.
Postseason tours clearly don’t have the same kind of appeal. At least not for AC Milan, who arrived in Washington over the weekend for the first leg of its two-week North American tour without a head coach and with players that would rather be on vacation or preparing for next month’s World Cup.
Instead, it’ll play slumping D.C. United.
“We’re not motivated,” said Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf. “We’re just not motivated, but we are professionals and we’re going to try to entertain the people. That’s the most important thing, and make sure we can get the best out of the game, coming out with no injuries, of course.”
United has sold more than 22,000 tickets for the match, which will ensure its largest home crowd of the season. Many of them have been lured by the chance to see Ronaldinho, but on Monday the ever-grinning Brazilian swiftly ducked a chance to talk about his visit to the U.S. capital in order to avoid any questions about being shockingly omitted from the Brazilian side that is headed to South Africa.
United will happily enjoy a diversion from its franchise-worst 1-8 start in league play, but facing the most decorated team in Italian soccer isn’t a conventional way to build confidence.
Still, United general manager Dave Kasper isn’t concerned about the timing: “It’s a game I know our players and staff are all really excited for.”
