LA Galaxy to host Real Madrid

The LA Galaxy will return to the Rose Bowl for the second time in as many years to take on Spanish power Real Madrid on Saturday, August 7. The game, presented by Pechanga Resort & Casino, kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and replaces the Galaxy’s previously scheduled friendly against Inter Milan, which the clubs have mutually agreed to look to re-schedule in the future.


“While we were looking forward to playing Inter Milan, we are very pleased to be able to bring our fans a game against one of the world’s biggest clubs, one that features a host of the world’s top players in Real Madrid,” said Tom Payne, LA Galaxy President of Business Operations. “Many fans will remember Madrid’s last visit to Los Angeles when the teams played in front of a capacity crowd at The Home Depot Center in 2005, and now we will be hosting them at the historic Rose Bowl in what will prove to be another memorable game for soccer fans throughout Southern California.”


This game is included in all Galaxy full season ticket plans as Bonus Game C. All season seat holders will receive new tickets in the mail for this game within the coming weeks. Additionally, all fans who purchased tickets for the friendly against Inter Milan will be issued new tickets for the game against Real Madrid or receive a full refund.


A special ticket pre-sale is underway now for all current Galaxy ticket plan holders wishing to add additional tickets at a discounted price to the game against Real Madrid. Additionally, fans who wish to purchase a 2010 full season seat or mini-plan that includes the friendly with Real Madrid can do so at this time.


Tickets are also on sale now to the general public as part of a special two-game pack starting at $46 that includes the Galaxy’s July 4th showcase against Seattle Sounders FC. That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and will feature a postgame fireworks extravaganza, which is powered by 104.3 MYfm. Single game tickets will go on sale at a future date.


A nine-time European champion, and 31-time champion of Spain’s La Liga, Real Madrid finished second in Spain’s La Liga this season just three points behind league champion, Barcelona, despite losing just four times all season long. In late May, the club named two-time Champions League winner Jose Mourinho as the club’s new head coach. He is expected to lead his full roster of international stars, including 2007 FIFA Player of the Year Kaka, 2008 FIFA Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, Dutch midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart, Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain, Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas and many others to Southern California. Ten of Real’s current squad are currently playing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, while another three have played in a previous World Cup.


The Galaxy, who first played Real Madrid on July 18, 2005 at The Home Depot Center, with Madrid claiming a 2-0 victory, will return to the Rose Bowl for the second time in as many years. The club’s home stadium from 1996-2002, the Galaxy lost 2-1 to Barcelona in front of 93,137 in their return to the stadium last August.


The match against Real Madrid will be the Galaxy’s fourth international friendly played this year. They played to a 0-0 draw with CD Aguila of El Salvador on March 21 and defeated Boca Juniors of Argentina 1-0 on May 23 at The Home Depot Center. LA also defeated Puntarenas FC of Costa Rica 1-0 at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif. on March 10.


For more information about this game or to purchase tickets, please contact the Galaxy by calling 1-877-3GALAXY (342-5299) or visit www.lagalaxy.com/realmadridtickets.


--- LA Galaxy presented by Herbalife ---


About Pechanga Resort & Casino:

As the biggest and best Southern California casino, Pechanga is an all-inclusive resort destination with a larger casino and more slots than anywhere in Vegas, Pechanga is located in the Inland Empire, in the Southern California Wine Country of Temecula Valley, and freeway close to the Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and Ontario airports. The AAA Four Diamond property offers a luxury hotel with a full-service spa, featuring a couple’s massage suite, and the finest restaurants with 24-hours of gambling action. Pechanga has superstar concerts; a comedy club; world title boxing events; three clubs and lounges, including Silk, the largest nightclub in Southern California; more than 100,000 square feet of convention/meeting space; and the new 18-hole Journey at Pechanga, which has been rated as one of the best new golf courses in the world.  As the largest casino in the Western United States, Pechanga is perfect for a romantic weekend or just a daytrip with happening nightlife to make for an exciting getaway.