A LONG AWAITED EXPERIENCE: BARCELONA v MANCHESTER UNITED (a review)

     Despite considering myself one of the biggest fans of European football this side of the Atlantic, I have been desperately deprived of viewing a high-level game in the flesh. My spectating of Mexico v Guatemala this summer gave me a taste of what the beautiful game looked like when displayed right before my eyes, but this weekends' events truly gave me a glimpse of football at the peak of it's theatrical value. My girlfriend (and sole reason for attending the event) and I spent the past weekend in Washington DC, and capped off the stay with a swealtering, sardine-esque packed Metro out to Fed Ex field to see Manchester United take on FC Barcelona in perhaps the most highly anticipated game of the 2011-2012 pre-season. Much to my delight, United ran out 2-1 victors.

 

      For me, the experience of the game was utterly satisfying in two ways. For one, I was able to view the team that I have supported most fervently since I was about 8 years old, and I felt that this was an experience I absolutely needed to partake in to be a true fanatic. Secondly, I needed to be at this game to be able to gain a fervent grasp on the ridiculous speed at which modern day, top level games are played at. Luckily for me, I was seated only 11 rows away from the pitch, which provided me a perfect view to be positively amazed by the play before me. I am more amazed now than ever at the abilities of superstar footballers, and even before this game I was one to speak about great players in impassioned hyperbole. Now I would be at a loss for words if asked about the abilities of the Manchester and Barcelona stars, respectively...