With Real Madrid seeing the sights as they bounced around the United States this summer, their finale fixture came in the shape of a match up with the very best from the MLS. The annual MLS All-Star fixture went the distance as a full house in Chicago looked on under the lights.
With an elite line-up from kick off, it was all eyes on Madrid as many expected the European giants to sweep aside the best from the MLS. Resilient and wearing the stars and stripes well, the All-Stars, made up of merry men from all over America, were solid throughout. This was an opportunity for Real Madrid to sign off their summer with a sizeable win and head into their 2017/18 La Liga season with style. The MLS All-Stars however, perhaps reflecting the current strength of the league, had other plans and did their best to spoil the Real Madrid party.
It's a seasoned three weeks Real Madrid have spent in America and having taken in L.A., Miami and now Chicago, they've clocked up the air miles. They've faced some of the biggest names in the European game along the way, so this pre-season finale against was probably the perfect way to sign out until next summer. Zinedine Zidane would of course looked at this game as a chance for his squad to test themselves and his disappointment post game, not too mention strong starting line up shows the respect that Madrid gave the fixture.
The backdrop was big and with an enormous crowd onlooking, they at least got their money's worth when it comes to minutes. The game went all the way to penalties with Real Madrid eventually winning the shoot out 4-2.
The ability to pull a side together and take the winners of the 2017 Champions League Final right to the final whistle should be applauded. The MLS players will go back to their respective clubs while Real Madrid travel to Macedonia to take on Manchester United in their first competitive fixture of 17/18 in the shape of the Super Cup. Plenty to talk about as a fresh season looms, consider this a finale to a summer season that has most definitely fed the appetite for football.
Photography by Nicholas Garcia for SoccerBible.
