The FC Barcelona’s men’s first team is visiting the United States again for a new preseason tour and the North American penyes (FCB World Federation) have mobilized to welcome the team as it deserves. While last year the matches were played on the West Coast, this year the lucky ones are the U.S. Atlantic coast, where the three friendlies will be played: Barça-Manchester City, on Tuesday 30 July at 7.00 pm (ET) in Orlando; Barça-Real Madrid, on Saturday 3 August at 7.00 pm (ET) in New Jersey; and Barça-Milan, on Tuesday 6 August at 7.30 pm (ET) in Baltimore.
High presence of the “culers”
Two of the most excited about Barça’s new North American tour are Penya FC Barcelona New York and Penya Garden State Blaugrana of New Jersey, which for the first time will be able to enjoy a “Clásico” at home. In fact, the MetLife Stadium, where the match will take place, is located 20 minutes away from the Penya Garden State Blaugrana site. Both penyes have jointly prepared a “paella tailgate” (the popular gathering at the parking of the stadium) and then will fill the stands to cheer on the team. Members of the Penya Blaugrana de Toronto and the Penya Blaugrana de Los Angeles, among others, have also confirmed their presence.
As for the match against Milan in Baltimore, the main protagonist will be the Penya Barcelonista Washington DC, which has organized a bus to travel to the game and has planned the attendance of about 150 supporters to cheer on the team. In addition, the penya has organized a pre-game meeting at a venue near MT Bank Stadium. The PB New York and PB Los Angeles will also be present at the match, as well as the Peña Corazón Blaugrana de Bogotá. Finally, the opening match in Orlando against Manchester City will be attended by the Penya Barcelonista Miami-Dade, the Penya Blaugrana San Diego and Penya Garden State Blaugrana, among others.
Other North American supporters’ clubs located further away from the match venues have decided to organize joint viewings. This is the case of the Penya Blaugrana de Houston and the Penya Blaugrana Fresno, which will gather their members to jointly enjoy the Clásico between Barça and Real Madrid in respective special “watch parties”. Other entities from the American continent will also meet to watch live the first steps of Hansi Flick.
