SEATTLE (AP) _ D.C. United, the best team in the MLS, has played some top international competition in recent years.
Facing the talent of Spanish power Real Madrid on Wednesday night will be a little different from what Jaime Moreno, Freddy Adu and the rest of United's roster has seen in the past.
``It's something a lot of players dream about,'' Moreno said on Tuesday afternoon. ``It's a great opportunity for us and a great opportunity for this league to keep doing these kind of games.''
Real Madrid is playing a pair of games in the United States as a precursor to the Spanish La Liga season that begins Aug. 27 against Villarreal, and they're bringing along a heralded roster of World Cup veterans.
Despite a knee injury, English midfielder David Beckham was named to the 24-man roster for Wednesday's match against United and Saturday's match against Real Salt Lake in Salt Lake City. The former English captain was injured in the second half of England's quarter-final World Cup loss to Portugal on July 1.
Along with Beckham is new Dutch forward Ruud van Nistelrooy, acquired from Manchester United for a reported $19.1 million US. Also on the roster is Italian standout defender Fabio Cannavaro and Brazilian midfielder Emerson, who both arrived late last month from Italian club Juventus, which was recently demoted to Serie B.
Real Madrid is training in Salt Lake City and won't arrive in Seattle until Wednesday morning.
``With a team like that, with all of the history behind it and all the trophies they've won, it's important to see where we are,'' United coach Peter Nowak said.
Moreno was part of a United-heavy roster of MLS all-stars that beat English Premier League champion Chelsea 1-0 last weekend in Bridgeview, Ill. Last month, United defeated Glasgow Celtic 4-0 and a year ago played Chelsea tough in a 2-1 defeat. Moreno believes these exhibitions are important for establishing the credibility of the MLS on the international scene.
``The all-star game was a big step for the league,'' Moreno said. ``I think they already know how good players we have. We showed that in the World Cup, and after beating Chelsea, I think that was a wake-up call for them to understand we have good players.''
United had a 14-game unbeaten streak snapped on July 29 in a 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake. Still, United is 13-2-6 and holds a 19-point lead over second place New England in the Eastern Conference.
Moreno's been the spark with 10 goals and five assists in 21 games. The 17-year-old Adu is also showing well in his third-year with United, recording six assists and a goal from his midfield position.
Officials have sold more than 58,000 tickets as of Monday for the friendly _ the third time an international power has played in Seattle in recent years. In 2003, Manchester United beat Celtic 4-0 before 66,722 at Qwest Field, and Chelsea beat Celtic 4-2 a year later, both part of the ChampionsWorld Series international exhibition matches.
