Good morning, Washington. The big friendly Saturday night between FC Barcelona and Manchester United was a record-breaker. The crowd was nearly 82,000 strong at FedEx Field, the largest ever for a soccer match in the Washington area. The previous high attendance was 72,368 at FedEx for Real Madrid’s 2009 friendly against D.C. United.
In the 76th minute, English striker Michael Owen chipped in a goal to give United a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in last night’s exhibition rematch of the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium last May (Barcelona beat United 3-1).
Appearances were made at half-time by Mia Hamm and NBA star Kobe Bryant, and after the final whistle Bryant presented United defender Nemanja Vidic with a trinket trophy to commemorate the team’s victory. DCist will have photos of the match later.
>> It’s officially the warmest month on record for D.C. and another hot one is underway today. On the precipice of August with no dramatic heat break in sight, we are headed toward the hottest summer in D.C. history.
>> There’s progress on debt ceiling talks, and it sounds like leaders on both sides of the aisle are optimistic that a last-minute deal can be reached. Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid called off a planned 1:00 am vote Sunday, opting instead to convene the Senate for a 1:00 pm vote this afternoon. While Congress is hopeful about its latest plan, the Washington Post relays some sobering accounts from Montgomery County residents who are disgusted with their politicians and increasingly distrustful of their government.
>> In Nats news, pitcher Jason Marquis was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a 21-year-old minor league shortstop, and pitcher Yunesky Maya, in for Marquis Saturday night, ended the Nats six-game losing streak to earn his first career win for the team in a 3-0 victory over the New York Mets.
>> After years of shuffling intercity bus stops, it looks like Union Station will officially become the hub for intercity bus service. Dr. Gridlock reports that the agreement is scheduled to be announced Monday.
>> WAMU reports that Virginia lawmakers are deadlocked on a Congressional redistricting plan with both Senate Democrats and House Republicans claiming they’re working to protect the interests of minority voters.
>> The Washington area’s housing market may be on its way to recovery, but the the pain is still palpable for those who were hit worst by the housing crisis.
>> A newly paved biking and jogging path opened between Needwood Road and Emory Lane in the Rockville-Derwood area, allowing commuters to avoid tolls on the Intercounty Connector.
>> Teachers, education advocates, Matt Damon, and parents from across the country assembled in front of the White House Saturday for a spirited protest of No Child Left Behind, our nation’s major education law, which is due for reauthorization.
>> Could the U.S. hikers jailed in Iran be freed?
>> The “American Dream” revised.
>> Run!
