TOP TEAMS IN FOOD CHAIN CROSSING POND
Real Madrid seeks more fans on American soil
By Bernardo Fallas, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

It's the latest trend to come out of European fashion capitals London and Milan, and Madrid refuses to fall behind.

Following in the steps this summer of London club and English Premiership champion Chelsea and UEFA Champions League runner-up and 17-time Italian Series A winner A.C. Milan, Real Madrid last week announced a U.S. tour to be held in July.

Earlier this month, Chelsea and Milan confirmed their participation in the 2005 World Series of Football July 24-31, which will include Major League Soccer defending champion D.C. United and the Chicago Fire.

Although having European clubs play exhibitions in the United States is nothing new, many Old World powers now consider trips to America preseason requirements.

Whether for profit or to be exposed to different styles of play, teams also view tours as a way to tackle a still largely untapped market.

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