FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.08.2009 05:48

Welcome to Seattle

David Saura (enviat especial)

After the success in Los Angeles, the squad has arrived in Seattle, the second venue of their American trip. The Barça players left California with a police escort and caught a plane directly from the airport runway.

Barça’s departure from Los Angeles was as spectacular as the image projected of the club in their four day stay in the city. When they arrived at Los Angeles airport, they were escorted by two police cars (one before and one behind the four coaches carrying the group) and several motorbikes, which stopped the traffic ahead of the convoy. The sirens and the presence of so many police vehicles created a cinematographic feel to the team’s farewell to California.

From runway to plane

The players boarded their plane directly from the runway, and their boarding passes were checked from the ground. That way they were able to avoid almost all the usual formalities, thanks to the plans made in advance by Major League Soccer (MLS). The Finnair plane took off around 4.00 pm local time for a two-hour flight to Seattle, a 1,539 kilometre journey. Despite the proximity to Alaska, they were greeted by muggy heat and temperatures of around 32 degrees.

Second city on tour

Barça are now in the largest city in the state of Washington in the northwest of the country. What is known as ‘The Emerald City' and also the ‘Rainy City' will be the venue for their next match.

Space Needle dominates the skyline

Seattle, the setting for TV series Grey’s Anatomy, has a somewhat more European feel to it. It is also famous for its association to the grunge sound, which made superstars out of such groups as Nirvana. The city’s main tourist attraction is Space Needle, a 184 metre tower built in 1962, which is right in the heart of the city and also features frequently on the popular TV show.

Seattle is also home to such important companies as Starbucks, Boeing and Amazon.

New in MLS

And that’s not forgetting the local soccer club, Seattle Sounders FC, who are making their MLS debut and whose franchise player is Sweden’s Fredrik Ljunberg. Every single ticket for the glamour friendly with Barça has already been sold.