OT: Real Madrid and Manchester United to play at the Big House

Submitted by um09inohio on

It's being reported that Manchester United and Real Madrid will play at the Big House on Saturday, August 2 at 4PM as part of the 2014 International Champions Cup.

Even though it will only be a preseason match, it'll be a great opportunity to see two of the world's biggest soccer clubs and some of the world's best players.

 

http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/01/31/exclusive-real-madrid-manchester-united-liverpool-and-5-other-top-teams-heading-to-united-states-in-july/

SF Wolverine

January 31st, 2014 at 5:32 PM ^

and is in line with the Big Chill and Winter Classic, I'm somewhat concerned that the next thing DB will propose to host is the "Most People Ever to See The Westminster Dog Show," or something along those lines.

1464

February 1st, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^

And to be fair, this won't even come close to touching the largest crowd to watch a soccer game.  It's just two of the most historic club teams in any sport playing in Ann Arbor.  Which if you don't think that is awesome, then there is no helping you...

Engin77

February 1st, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^

Back in 1972, a ping pong match between an American team and a Chinese team from the People's Republic was played at Crisler Arena.  This was big news, the US and the PRC had had very little contact since 1945.  Sadly, the match was very one sided; those Chinese could Pong.

TruBluMich

January 31st, 2014 at 5:49 PM ^

I have never understood why anyone would be against using the Big House for any event.  I have a buddy in Toronto whose kid now wants to go to Michigan.  WHY?  She went to the Winter Classic and fell in love with AA and the University.  Before visiting the Big House, she had no interest in Michigan.  If we can use a stadium that normally just sits there, I say use it and introduce more and more people to one of the greatest college towns in America.

mi93

February 1st, 2014 at 10:10 AM ^

when they did the renovation, they didn't make the tunnel wide enough for semis, making concert set-up/logistics very difficult.  And they have had discussions with artists, just haven't inked one.

Hopefully they can figure it out.  It'd be an amazing concert venue.

um09inohio

January 31st, 2014 at 5:50 PM ^

The minimum recommended width of a soccer field is about 16 yards wider than the width of a football field.  I don't know if it's feasible to add eight yards on each sideline or not.

It could also be the case that they'll just use a narrower field than usual, being that it's a preseason friendly and not a competitive match.

Wolverine Devotee

January 31st, 2014 at 5:33 PM ^

I'm telling ya, don't be surprised if WrestleMania is at Michigan Stadium some day.

All they do now is stadiums and they went to MetLife last year and it was a success. Superdome this year, Levi's Stadium next year.

The amount of money that that would bring in would be amazing.

Bando Calrissian

January 31st, 2014 at 5:35 PM ^

This might be a dumb question, but does a regulation soccer pitch fit in the stadium surface? There was always talk, especially when Bill Martin was AD, that in order to have a soccer match at the stadium, they'd need to elevate the field over the walls and eat up the first few rows of seats to fit everything in. There isn't a lot of real estate between the sidelines and the walls. That's why Michigan Stadium didn't host in the 1994 World Cup, IIRC.

truferblue22

February 1st, 2014 at 10:13 AM ^

soccer fields vary greatly; kind of like how there are NHL and Olympic-sized ice sheets. it doesn't have to be a certain width (in an event like the World Cup they generally standardize this, but for an international friendly it won't matter. It will just be a little more narrow than normal). If anything it will speed the play up a bit. And I am DEFINITELY going.

Bando Calrissian

January 31st, 2014 at 5:41 PM ^

Not sure if the link is going to work, but from a 1990 issue of the Michigan Alumnus, discussing the 1994 World Cup committee coming to Ann Arbor to scout locations:

http://books.google.com/books?id=NwDiAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA4-PA16&lpg=RA4-PA16&…

Pertinent quote:

"Michigan Stadium would need to be modified however to meet World Cup specifications. The field would need to be widened and the AstroTurf replaced with natural grass. One conceivable way of doing this would be to raise the field with scaffolding and cover the first eight rows. Of course the field would have to be removed in time for our American football season."

Check out that cool, 8-bit illustration. This was two years before the field surface was lowered, meaning the field would need to be elevated even higher to make it over the wall.

4godkingandwol…

January 31st, 2014 at 5:42 PM ^

My guess is that the field size only matters for competitive matches.  For exhibition matches, which are nothing more than money grabs by all parties, my guess is size doesn't matter*.  Either way, cool to see IMO. 

 

*If only this excuse worked in all aspects of life. 

LSAClassOf2000

January 31st, 2014 at 6:06 PM ^

I had always thought that some variance regarding the size was allowed, even though the IFAB rulings would indicate a preferred size for the pitch, especially for international matches. I seem to recall an attempt to standardize the size, but I don't know if it ever was finalized into an official rule. You may very well be right though that they probably won't be too picky about the size given the nature of the match - technically, it can be on the small side and probably fit onto the current field with maybe only minor modifications. 

hackattack13

January 31st, 2014 at 6:48 PM ^

With the World Cup happening, I would be shocked if Roony, RVP, CR, Sergio Ramos, etc particpate in any sort of training or games until they get back to friendlies in Europe.  That being said, there is still extreme quality on both sides that will be there...and its always fun to see guys battle for spots on the first team and the academy kids get their shot

Yinka Double Dare

January 31st, 2014 at 6:01 PM ^

They use a certain size for the World Cup and it seems pretty standard across most of top level football/soccer, but the actual FIFA regulations ("Laws of the Game") actually allow for wide variation in the pitch dimensions -- length must be between 90 and 120 meters, and width must be between 45 and 90 meters, and the length must be greater than the width. 

treetown

January 31st, 2014 at 6:19 PM ^

It will be interesting to see the publicity on this. ? Surprised having heard anything official yet. To have two of the biggest brand names in sports here will certainly be interesting.

hackattack13

January 31st, 2014 at 6:34 PM ^

Holy shit this is awsome.  I dont even care that its an exhibition match and a majority of the best players may still be on break after the World Cup.  Any chance to see these two great clubs is a must.  So glad I do not have to travel to DC or LA like in previous years.  Hala Madrid!