This Is American Soccer, US Soccer, MNT, WNT, and MLS - Tackling the subject of Soccer in the US, and worldwide.

They are not the only team crossing the Atlantic for a little footie (Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday, Everton, Real Madrid and Celtic are all making trips), but they are the European Champions. Barcelona FC are ready to share themselves with Americans. Not all that long ago, ‘share’ meant sell some jerseys, push the brand. Marauders may not be the worst synonym. Now, after some structural changes to the tours, it isn’t so simple. European club teams playing pre-season exhibition games in the U.S. rests at a complicated intersection between sports and business, and while it certainly is a more one-sided relationship than most Americans would like, it has improved, but will these tours improve American Soccer?

All of this translates over to any of the teams playing on this tour, but I’m going to focus on Barcelona because, well, I’m going to that game. I am one of the over 100,000 people who have purchased tickets to see the greatest club team known to man (read: give the people something to watch, and they will come). I’m one of the even luckier few who will get to witness first hand the return and official demotion of Bruce Arena (note: what does it say about MLS when a national team coach moves to the league it is a demotion? If Arena became Barca’s coach, that statement would need serious reworking.) And best improvement: instead of playing another European side, Barca et al will be lining up against MLS clubs.

So what does it all mean for American soccer? It has to be more than just brand management? Is it competition between the strongest and richest sides in Europe over who sells more jerseys in the U.S.? In a word, yes, but does America gain anything except a larger trade deficit? There are so many little variations to this matter – better luck trying to make sense out of the interrelated processes of the Earth – that cohesion is hard to get out. Sitting over this puzzle, I’ve come up with the following pieces, but damned if I can make a complete image out of them. Hopefully, in a week’s time, we might have some answers.

the ramble

There is no doubt Chelsea and Barca want to test the pastime paradise of Manchester United, easily the most popular soccer brand in the world. Where as the last few years of player purchasing only hinted at a world-wide offensive from European clubs, the advent of Chelsea and Barca - hopping the pond proves the invasion of that paradise,. And what better time than this, the once every four year hyperbole, to launch an attack?

Previous versions of this tour saw EPL teams playing each other. Beyond the club interest, there is league interest in something essentially showing off their product. Now, with the clubs coming over to face off against MLS teams, it takes on a more international feel. It may be a lopsided affair, but winning is hardly the point.

If there is a point beyond the marketing blitzkrieg, it rests with a lesson every person needs to learn at some point: you aren’t as good as you think you are. MLS will take one on the chin – maybe – while Barca will find they can lose to an MLS team - maybe. Both of these can be eye-opening experiences in humility.

Causing more problems for those of us looking to read into the performances, MLS-ers should be in midseason form, while the European clubs will be in spring training mode (read: Yankees in Japan).

Teams may not care, but there is individual incentive for MLS players. Show well against Europe, and they might invite you to come play on their field. I said you, not your team. MLS is likely years away from a team invitation – quid pro quo UEFA - but Europe will gladly come over for a little vacation and write it off as a scouting trip, plucking possible future Yanks Abroad subjects for their developmental divisions. Bobby Convey was just such a player with DC United.

The strangest affair may be when Chelsea faces the MLS All-Star team this Saturday. I have a feeling this game in particular will be used to judge American soccer. It shouldn’t, but it will. Just as an early exit in Germany signaled the onslaught of worry, people will cry out if Chelsea rolls through our supposed best players. No one is going to talk if Barca destroys every team they play. As for reputation, Barcelona has the most to lose here.

The Mexico factor. For me, this may be the biggest thing about the coming tour. All I’ve talked about are the Euro teams everybody (read: me) wants to see, but Mexican teams have been playing exhibitions against MLS side for a while now. Attendences have been better than the average MLS game. Could there be an FA Cup-ish move in North America’s future. It isn’t new for me to talk up the importance of increasing the internationality of American soccer, and this, to me, is the first step MLS should take in stepping up the competitiveness of its schedule, and begin to start nursing on year-round competition.

random things to watch out for as the tour progresses:

-Ronaldihno. What kind of form will he be in after a poor showing in Germany during his off-season? After the coming out parties for guys like Lionel Messi, is Ronaldihno still the best player in the world? This tour begins the season-long revelation of the answers.

-Can an MLS side beat Barca? We know an MLS team can beat an Everton, but this is Barca. Same thing goes for Chelsea. I’d have a hard time – emotionally – not wanting to make something out of that.

Schedule Highlights:

Chelsea at MLS All-Stars – Toyota Park, Chicago. Aug. 5

Barcelona at:
Guadalajara Chivas – Memorial Coliseum, L.A. Aug. 6
Mexico’s Club America – Reliant Stadium, Houston. Aug. 9
New York Red Bulls - Giant Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ. Aug 12