Suarez on target as Catalans triumph in pre-season opener

Agencies
Pasadena, July 22

Barcelona kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 victory over LA Galaxy in the International Champions Cup.
Luis Suarez struck on the stroke of half-time against LA Galaxy, although he appeared to use his hand to control the ball in the build-up, while Sergi Roberto wrapped up Barca’s 2-1 victory with a goal 10 minutes after the break.
In Barcelona’s first match since their 3-1 triumph over Juventus in the Champions League final, Luis Enrique named a strong starting line-up at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Galaxy’s two goalkeepers – Brad Rowe in the first half and Andrew Wolverton in the second – were busy men, although the home side fought back in the latter period with Ariel Lassiter wasting two big opportunities to score his debut senior goal for LA.
Tommy Meyer eventually got on the scoresheet for the hosts in stoppage time, heading home Mika Vayrynen’s corner.Only three players – Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic – that began the Champions League final were also included in Luis Enrique’s starting XI at the Rose Bowl.
But the 45-year-old coach still wheeled out a chunk of his senior squad, with Pedro Rodriguez, Jeremy Mathieu, Adriano, Douglas Pereira, Marc Bartra, Rafinha and Sergi Roberto also included, while Barcelona B goalkeeper Jordi Masip also started.
As Barcelona began strongly, Galaxy suffered an early blow when Baggio Husidic limped off midway through the first half, with Rowe forced into a fine save soon after from Roberto.
Eventually, however, it was Suarez who scored Barcelona’s first goal of the 2015-16 campaign, although in controversial circumstances.
As the ball looped into the box in the 45th minute, Suarez pounced, seemingly disrupting the attempted clearance of Galaxy defender Leonardo with his arm before volleying past Rowe.
Sergi Roberto doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 56th minute, thrashing a loose ball into the net from near the penalty spot, while Wolverton parried Rafinha’s effort just after the hour-mark.
Lassiter then failed to convert from a tight angle, shooting across goal when released by Bradford Jamieson IV.
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.
Barca substitute Sandro Ramirez then hit the bar before Meyer gave LA’s fans something to cheer about with a powerful header at the near post.