MLS/SUM Announces U.S. - Mexico Match
The U.S. will take on regional rivals Mexico May 8th in Houston, Texas.
HOUSTON (Monday, March 10, 2003) – Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber announced today that the League’s properties arm, Soccer United Marketing (SUM), will promote U.S. vs. Mexico, presented by Budweiser, on Thursday, May 8, at 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local) at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.
The latest installment of the scintillating CONCACAF rivalry will be broadcast via tape delay on ESPN2 beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET. The match will also be broadcast live on Telemundo and the Radio Unica network.
“The city of Houston is primed and ready for an international soccer event of this magnitude,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “Major League Soccer is looking forward to working with Mr. McNair and the Texans organization to demonstrate the vibrancy of the Houston soccer community.”
The competition between the two bordering nations reached its pinnacle in the summer of 2002 when U.S. and Mexico met for the first time as World Cup opponents in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 in Jeonju, Korea. A picture-perfect goal by the Columbus Crew’s Brian McBride in the 8th minute set up a tactically brilliant game from U.S. players, while a 65th-minute goal by the San Jose Earthquakes’ Landon Donovan iced the game to give the United States a 2-0 victory and a place in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years.
The CONCACAF rivals have distinguished themselves as the class of the region in the past decade, with each team qualifying for the last three World Cups. The United States has dominated the series of late, winning five of the last six meetings, with all of the victories coming by shutout. Mexico leads the lifetime series with a record of 28-10-9 dating all the way back to 1934.
“We're very excited to welcome both the United States and Mexican National Teams to Houston and to Reliant Stadium,” said Texans owner Bob McNair. “This exciting match-up between the United States and Mexico will further establish Reliant Stadium as a world-class sporting venue.”
Tickets for the game range in price levels from $27 to $150 and go on sale Saturday (March 15) at all Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout Texas (including Fiesta, Foley’s and Wherehouse Music), Ticketmaster.com and USsoccer.com beginning at 10:00 a.m. (CT). On Tuesday, March 18, tickets will be available for purchase at the Reliant Stadium ticket office and by phone at 713-629-3700. Groups of 30 or more can order through Reliant Stadium at 832-667-2210 starting Monday, March 17, at 9 a.m. CT.
The match at newly christened Reliant Stadium, home to the NFL’s Houston Texans, marks the first appearance for the U.S. Men’s National Team in Houston.
“No matter what the occasion, it’s always a fierce battle when we play Mexico,” said U.S. head coach Bruce Arena. “This match represents an important part of our preparation for two major tournaments this summer, and we’re looking forward to the challenge. We are certainly pleased to play the first soccer game at Reliant Stadium, which is a beautiful facility, and we are looking forward to spending some time in Houston for the first time.”
After the most successful year in American soccer history in 2002, Major League Soccer’s eighth season kicks off on Saturday, April 5, with the Defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy facing off against the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Champion Columbus Crew live on ABC Sports at 4:00 p.m. ET. Two months later, the Galaxy christen its new home, the state-of-the-art Home Depot Center in Carson, California, against the Colorado Rapids.
Each of Major League Soccer’s 10 teams sees action the weekend of April 12, as the League’s eighth campaign goes into full swing
The U.S. will take on regional rivals Mexico May 8th in Houston, Texas.
HOUSTON (Monday, March 10, 2003) – Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber announced today that the League’s properties arm, Soccer United Marketing (SUM), will promote U.S. vs. Mexico, presented by Budweiser, on Thursday, May 8, at 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. local) at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.
The latest installment of the scintillating CONCACAF rivalry will be broadcast via tape delay on ESPN2 beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET. The match will also be broadcast live on Telemundo and the Radio Unica network.
“The city of Houston is primed and ready for an international soccer event of this magnitude,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “Major League Soccer is looking forward to working with Mr. McNair and the Texans organization to demonstrate the vibrancy of the Houston soccer community.”
The competition between the two bordering nations reached its pinnacle in the summer of 2002 when U.S. and Mexico met for the first time as World Cup opponents in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 in Jeonju, Korea. A picture-perfect goal by the Columbus Crew’s Brian McBride in the 8th minute set up a tactically brilliant game from U.S. players, while a 65th-minute goal by the San Jose Earthquakes’ Landon Donovan iced the game to give the United States a 2-0 victory and a place in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years.
The CONCACAF rivals have distinguished themselves as the class of the region in the past decade, with each team qualifying for the last three World Cups. The United States has dominated the series of late, winning five of the last six meetings, with all of the victories coming by shutout. Mexico leads the lifetime series with a record of 28-10-9 dating all the way back to 1934.
“We're very excited to welcome both the United States and Mexican National Teams to Houston and to Reliant Stadium,” said Texans owner Bob McNair. “This exciting match-up between the United States and Mexico will further establish Reliant Stadium as a world-class sporting venue.”
Tickets for the game range in price levels from $27 to $150 and go on sale Saturday (March 15) at all Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout Texas (including Fiesta, Foley’s and Wherehouse Music), Ticketmaster.com and USsoccer.com beginning at 10:00 a.m. (CT). On Tuesday, March 18, tickets will be available for purchase at the Reliant Stadium ticket office and by phone at 713-629-3700. Groups of 30 or more can order through Reliant Stadium at 832-667-2210 starting Monday, March 17, at 9 a.m. CT.
The match at newly christened Reliant Stadium, home to the NFL’s Houston Texans, marks the first appearance for the U.S. Men’s National Team in Houston.
“No matter what the occasion, it’s always a fierce battle when we play Mexico,” said U.S. head coach Bruce Arena. “This match represents an important part of our preparation for two major tournaments this summer, and we’re looking forward to the challenge. We are certainly pleased to play the first soccer game at Reliant Stadium, which is a beautiful facility, and we are looking forward to spending some time in Houston for the first time.”
After the most successful year in American soccer history in 2002, Major League Soccer’s eighth season kicks off on Saturday, April 5, with the Defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy facing off against the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Champion Columbus Crew live on ABC Sports at 4:00 p.m. ET. Two months later, the Galaxy christen its new home, the state-of-the-art Home Depot Center in Carson, California, against the Colorado Rapids.
Each of Major League Soccer’s 10 teams sees action the weekend of April 12, as the League’s eighth campaign goes into full swing