The San Francisco Bay Area is no stranger to big events. Stanford Stadium once hosted the NFL's Super Bowl and both the men's and women's FIFA World Cups. The San Francisco Giants have hoisted three World Series championship banners in the last five years at their picturesque ballpark on the shores of the City. Even the bay's water have seen action, as the most recent America's Cup sailing competition was held here.
And now add to that impressive list a match-up of two of the world's most famous (and most valuable) football clubs, as storied sides Manchester United of England's Premier League and FC Barcelona of Spain's La Liga face off in the International Champions Cup at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
Though both teams are in their preseason, and neither squad is at full strength following a busy summer on the international circuit, the match between the two titans will attract a sold-out audience at the home of the San Francisco 49ers, all looking to enjoy the spectacle that will be on offer.
Manchester United has already won twice in the competition, dispatching of CONCACAF Champions Club America of Mexico the weekend prior and topping local MLS side San Jose Earthquakes in midweek. Barcelona won a tight affair against the LA Galaxy last Tuesday in front of a sold-out audience at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and will look to catch United in the ICC standings with a win.
Stars such as Lionel Messi and Neymer will be missing for Barcelona, but stalwarts Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique will start the match. Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez, the World Cup veteran famous for his shoulder chomp of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, will be in the starting lineup.
Manchester United will be lead by English international Wayne Rooney and winger Ashley Young. Talented youngster Memphis Depay, fresh off his Man-of-the-Match performance against the Earthquakes on Tuesday, is also slated to start for Louis Van Gall's side.
The biggest soccer match in the Bay Area ever? While that is up for debate, it certainly marks the most important match since the 1999 women's World Cup semifinal to be held in the area. And not a single fan in attendance would imagine it any other way.
Match date/time: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. local
Venue: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
TV: FOX Network (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), TSN5 (Canada), MUTV (U.K.)
Online: FOX Soccer 2 Go, Watch ESPN (U.S.)