Barcelona – America LIVE: latest updates, Joao Felix starts for Barça at Cotton Bowl Stadium

FC Barcelona take on Club América on Thursday Dec. 21 (9:00 pm ET) in an atypical mid-season club friendly in Dallas, Texas. The exhibition match takes place tonight in what is expected to be a packed Cotton Bowl Stadium. Reigning LaLiga champions Barça will draw a big crowd, but new Liga MX Apertura champions América will also attract thousands of fans.

What makes the matchup so fascinating is the Catalan side’s express trip to play the game, as they played a home game against Almeria on Wednesday (3-2). The game will be one of heavy rotations for Barça manager Xavi, but certains players who played on Wednesday are expected to get some playing time regardless.

Barça vs América: live updates from the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, TX:

While soccer fans in Dallas rejoice ahead of tonight’s December friendly, the match has raised eyebrows from Barça fans. Especially with the team currently underperforming in LaLiga (currently in 3rd place behind Real Madrid and Girona). Which begs the question, why would FC Barcelona agree to an impromptu friendly 5175 miles from home just as their players set to go on their winter break?

Why are Barcelona playing a December friendly in the United States?

The answer is mixed, as the proceeds from tonight’s game are all 100% destined to raising funds for the victims of Hurricane Otis. The natural disaster took 52 lives in Puerto Vallarta and devastated over 80% of the Mexican city’s tourism infrastructure. While the game’s gate receipts are destined for this cause, the club is also benefitting greatly from sponsorship opportunities estimated in up to $5 million while in the United States.

While Barcelona usually avoids friendly fixtures abroad at this time of year, it’s the the first time it happens. The LaLiga club played Argentine club Boca Juniors on December 14, 2021, for a posthumous tribute to soccer legend Diego Maradona.