FC Barcelona Thursday practice report
By Blair Angulo
July 30, 2009 9:39 p.m.
Spanish soccer powerhouse FC Barcelona continued to create a buzz on the UCLA campus Thursday afternoon, holding its third practice of the week at North Athletic Field.
After training on Wednesday night, the 2008-2009 winners of the UEFA Champions League held two practices on Thursday in preparation for its highly anticipated Saturday night match with the LA Galaxy at the Rose Bowl.
A large contingent of fans cluttered around the facility and the northeast gate of Pauley Pavilion hoping to catch a glimpse of Barca’s collection of world-class players that currently includes Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Rafael Márquez and the newly acquired Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Players did not speak to members of the media following Thursday night’s session.
But Gabriel Gabor, the press officer of the team’s U.S. tour, said that the team is pleased with the first few days of its stay.
“There is a storied history with UCLA soccer,” Gabor said. “People who know soccer know about this field. “¦ It’s a first-class pitch.”
North Athletic Field’s private, enclosed setting also blocks fan distractions and allows the team to focus, Gabor said.
Much like Wednesday, fans peered through holes in the tarp surrounding the field.
Those that were unable to catch a peek missed quite a show. The team scrimmaged on a short field, which was about half the length of a normal pitch. The result? A fast-paced match with no shortage of scoring opportunities or quick counterattacks.
Barcelona is slated to train at UCLA on the mornings of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s as good as we’ve had anywhere,” Gabor said. “This is a fantastic field.”
The team bus departed from Westwood with a police escort.
After facing the Galaxy this Saturday, Barcelona will travel to the Pacific Northwest to face the Seattle Sounders FC of the MLS on Wednesday. Barcelona is also scheduled to play Chivas of the Mexican League on Aug. 8 at San Francisco’s Monster Park.
