LA Galaxy will play FC Barcelona in exhibition; David Beckham will face rowdy fans

Galaxy to play Barcelona; Beckham faces fans

CARSON, Calif. — The Los Angeles Galaxy will play FC Barcelona on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl in an exhibition that will answer two questions.

First, how will the Galaxy fare against the first Spanish club to win Spain’s first division, the nation’s Copa del Rey and the European Champions’ League in the same season?

FC Barcelona achieved the feat this year, becoming one of only four clubs in European soccer history to win league, national cup and continental championships in one season.

Second, how will the Galaxy’s David Beckham respond to his team’s most intense fans?

Beckham received a $1,000 fine from MLS commissioner Don Garber for the way he confronted a group called the L.A. Riot Squad during halftime of the Galaxy’s 2-2 tie with AC Milan on July 19.

The group’s members booed him and displayed banners questioning his character and commitment to the Galaxy. Beckham challenged fans to meet him on the field and tried to lift himself over sideline boards before security intervened.

Members of the Riot Squad said on the group’s Web site that they will vent their feelings toward Beckham at the Rose Bowl, but will stop once the Galaxy plays MLS games at home.

“I wish I had the time to make banners,” Beckham said. “If they pile up more banners, then that’s down to them. If it continues, then it continues. I’m not going to lose any sleep over these banners and these people.”

In FC Barcelona, the Galaxy will oppose a team featuring Thierry Henry, Xavi, Carles Puyol, Rafael Marquez and Lionel Messi, who led the Champions’ League in scoring and finished with 38 goals in league and tournament play.

“They proved last year to be perhaps the best club team in the world,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said.

Joining Barcelona is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who led Italy’s Serie A with 25 goals last season. Ibrahimovic came from Inter Milan for striker Samuel Eto’o and $93.5 million.

Ibrahimovic is traveling with the club but will miss three weeks while he recovers from surgery on his left hand.

“We want to maintain the level we reached last season,” said Barcelona’s Dani Alves, who also plays for Brazil. “We know that will be very difficult but we have to do it. We have been working very hard to prepare for the season.”

FC Barcelona is making the first stop on a three-city tour of the United States. The club will face Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday night in Seattle, then meet Mexico’s CD Guadalajara on Aug. 8 at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.