Real Madrid is one of the biggest sports brands in the world and any time they visit an American city it's a big deal.
That's how Chicago and Major League Soccer are treating Los Merengues' appearance for the MLS All-Star Game. There's plenty of events, advertising and attention given to the All-Star Game to show what a big deal it is to MLS and soccer in Chicago.
However, for Real Madrid, the two-time defending UEFA Champions League winners, this is still just the preseason. On top of that, Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the two most famous and talented soccer players in the world alongside Leo Messi, isn't with the team.
"We want to end the preseason with a victory," German midfielder Toni Kroos said in a press conference before the match on Tuesday. "It's an important game. It's the last game before the real season starts, before the games count.
"That's why we are here, to win this game tomorrow, to prepare for the next games."
Madrid hasn't yet won in the preseason. Real has lost to Manchester United on penalties in Santa Clara, Calif., got smoked by Manchester City 4-1 in Los Angeles and lost to rival Barcelona in Miami.
While the team isn't going to worry about negative results in exhibition matches, a club used to winning with regularity won't want to go without a win on its four-match U.S. tour.
Chicago Fire
"It's only preseason, that's all," manager Zinedine Zidane said through a translator. "The most important thing is to finish (the preseason) well."
While the MLS All-Stars will be playing for the pride of their league. The value of a result in an exhibition game always has questionable, at best, value. It still can provide extra exposure to the league, who now boasts a solid collection of world famous players, and may give extra attention to the Chicago Fire in a resurgent season for the team.
Fire coach Veljko Paunovic, who is also coaching the MLS All-Stars, said playing against Real Madrid is "an occasion that you just cannot let go.” For Madrid, it's still just preseason, but playing the MLS All-Stars is strange because of the thrown-together aspect of the All-Star team.
"In terms of organization, I don't know how they're going to play," Zidane said. "What I do know is they're a very good team."