LA Galaxy 1-2 FC Barcelona – Match Report

Luis Suarez and Sergi Roberto were the scorers as Barca beat LA Galaxy 2-1 in their first game of the 2015-2016 season

Barcelona kicked off their 2015-2016 campaign with a 2-1 friendly win over MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in the International Champions Cup 2015.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring on the stroke of half time before Sergi Roberto fired in a second. LA Galaxy got a consolation goal through Tommy Meyer on 91 minutes but it wasn’t enough for the USA team as Barca stole the day 2-1.

Luis Enrique’s men were playing their first game since their UCL final win over Juventus on June 6 and the Barca coach fielded a mixed line-up.

Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Rakitic were the only starters in the line up but Pedro Rodriguez, Rafinha, Sergi Roberto, Douglas, Vermaelen, Bartra and Adriano all made the starting XI with Jordi Masip in goal.

Barcelona started strongly with Marc Bartra coming close but it was Luis Suarez who scored Barcelona’s first goal of the 2015-16 campaign.

The Uruguayan, who missed the start of Barca’s campaign last season volleyed home from close range from a Marc Bartra assist on 45 minutes.

Sergi Roberto doubled Barca’s advantage in the 56th minute, firing a loose ball into the net from 12 yards.

With the likes of Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard sitting out the second half, Galaxy’s young players seemed to relish the chance to play Barca, with Lassiter bursting onto Raul Mendiola’s through ball in the 74th minute only to miss a one-on-one opportunity.

By 76 minutes all of Barca starters except Douglas were substituted with youngsters Samper, Halilovic, Gambau, Munir and Sandro given the nod.

Barca substitute Sandro Ramirez then hit the post with a thrashing effort before Tommy Meyer gave LA Galaxy’s fans something to cheer about with a powerful header at the near post to make it 2-1.