This summer tour gives a lot of Barcelona‘s youth players some valuable playing time that they wouldn’t normally get during the season. Without the likes of Leo Messi and Neymar, Treble winners FC Barcelona start their USA tour against Steven Gerrard and MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy. Other than Xavi, Barcelona has moved Gerard Deulofeu to Everton, loaned Martin Montoya to Inter Milan and will likely move Alex Song, to West Ham and veteran Pedro to Manchester United.
Barcelona has also been linked to the likes of Paul Pogba and the talk is that he will likely sign for them next summer.
Playing against Suarez will be a test for the Galaxy as to what world class players are about. It also gives players like Luis Suarez head starts on the season ahead.
Barcelona, even with them missing five starters, is still a quality side. Look for Luis Enrique to test out his young players and give players like Munir, Sandro more playing time. Barcelona has also done good business by selling/loaning some players out. Although both players can’t play till January when the ban ends, they will provide depth for the squad later in the season. He has given LA some offensive quality that they have been missing with Gyasi Zardes out due to his participation in the 2015 Gold Cup. But Barcelona will be missing a lot of their starting 11 when they play in the Rose Bowl. It will be surprising if Suarez plays at all but if he does, the Galaxy back-line will face a player they haven’t faced before. They are currently sitting second in the Western Conference standings and will looking to prove that they are a top MLS side against one of the best football clubs in the world.
It has been a great season for MLS Cup holders LA Galaxy as well and it has been a good offseason for FC Barcelona.
Messi, Neymar, Dani Alves, Javier Mascherano, and Claudio Bravo will all be excused from the tour.