It could be the perfect occasion for Major League Soccer’s best team to upset a world power.
D.C. United announced Monday it will travel to Seattle on Aug. 9 to play a friendly against Spanish power Real Madrid at Qwest Field.
Currently on a franchise-record 14-game unbeaten streak, United is all but a lock for the MLS playoffs. After this coming weekend’s visit to Real Salt Lake, D.C. has nearly three weeks before its next regular season game against New York on Aug. 16.
The MLS All-Star game and a U.S. Open Cup match against Columbus take place during that stretch, but United – which thrashed Celtic FC, 4-0, on July 12 – has a legitimate chance to go undefeated this summer against two of the world’s most storied clubs.
“What comes to mind is they’re going to be toward the end of their preseason. They’re going to be playing well and we’re deep in our season so we’ll be pretty sharp as well,” said United midfielder Brian Carroll. “I expect it to be a competitive game, but Real Madrid is one of the best club teams in the world so it’ll be tough to beat them.”
Real’s star-studded roster is matched only by Chelsea, which edged United, 2-1, at FedEx Field last year. It starts with England’s David Beckham and includes Ronaldo, Emerson, Roberto Carlos, Robinho and Cicinho from the Brazilian National Team, Spanish striker Raúl, and recently signed Italian captain and 2006 World Cup Champion member, Fabio Cannavaro.
