Real Madrid to play two matches in U.S.

"Los Galacticos" will be coming to America.

Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid and its numerous stars will be playing a pair of matches in the United States later this summer, the team announced Thursday.

Real - whose lineup includes international stars David Beckham, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Michael Owen, Roberto Carlos and Raul - will face Mexican squad CD Guadalajara (Chivas) here on July 16 and the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California either two or three days later.

"It is very important for Real Madrid to go to the United States," Real Madrid vice president and director of sport Emilio Butragueo said. "Major League Soccer is doing a great job to introduce soccer into the U.S. Our relationship with MLS is very, very good. We are convinced that this tour is going to be very successful and we are very excited."

"We view this as a chance to take on one of the world's best and pit them against two of the region's best teams," MLS commissioner and Soccer United Marketing CEO Don Garber said. "The goal of Soccer United Marketing is to grow the game overall, not just our teams and our league, but also (to create) relationships with the international community and use it as a way to continue to educate, inform and entertain."

Real is the third European power to announce U.S. matches in recent days. Last week, English Premier League champion Chelsea and Italian Serie A winner AC Milan announced they will play in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on July 24, shortly before each will face an MLS squad.