It was getting dark by the time the Madridistas took the field against Philadelphia Union for their third game in the World Football Challenge, but the heat wave that has stagnated over the Northeastern United States wouldn’t yield. It was 94 degrees and 45% humidity at the start. Both sides gave the moisture wicking technology in their kits a work out as the first half was played at a fair pace.
Callejon (back from a fruitful loan to Espanyol) picked up the first goal for Madrid in the second minute off a perfect midfield pass from Alonso. Özil doubled the advantage with an assist from Benzema (11′). Union weren’t about to be out done. They created some nice chances in the first half. More than a couple of them put Casillas in an awkward position: sliding in feet first, laying flat, face down and with knees bent and arms wide. But he didn’t have to pick the ball out of the net.
Casillas vs. Ruiz
That honor would be reserved for Tomás, the third man to stand between the posts for Madrid in one night (with 11 substitutions being allowed, I’m not giving you the run down of who played with whom when). It was Michael Farfan (one of a pair of twins that plays for Union), who chip Tomás in the 80th minute. The goal lead to a nervy finish for Madrid. But, in the end, it turned out to be only a well deserved consolation.
Real regretfully leave the States (they’ve all gotten themselves such lovely tans). But they leave as the top seed team in the World Football Challenge with Manchester United just behind. Madrid are off to Germany to play Hertha Berlin in a friendly this Wednesday. There they will face one of the talented keepers to leave Bayern München with the arrival of Neuer. Look for Thomas Kraft to put in some good stops against a shiny, new, unstoppable Real Madrid.
On to a bit of fun side note.
So here we have Mourinho loading up the kiddies, but take a moment to look at his shirt. Do you see something that is missing? (Play Jeopardy music here)
Mourinho's bizzar shirt
Give up? OK, I’ll tell you. See the three Adidas stripes on his left shoulder. Right. Now where are the ones on his right shoulder? Well get this. They are on his back, just on the other side of his shoulder. Neither set is actually on the seam of the shirt. One is forward and the other is back. I’m thinking this is some master Mourinho tactic to mess with the minds of the opposition. It certainly got me to stop and stare.
Fanatical for Football 