The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce that Club Social y Deportivo Comunicaciones, Champions of the Guatemalan First Division, Liga Nacional, will be playing in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday, July 25th, subject to USSF approval.  The 2008/2009 champions will take on the Richmond Kickers in a historic international exhibition at the University of Richmond Stadium at 7:00 p.m.  The match marks the first time in history the Guatemalan First Division team will play in Richmond.

All tickets are general admission and are priced at $20. Richmond Kickers All-Access Passes will be valid but Family, Adult and Youth Pro Passes, Flexi-tickets and Sponsor Passes will not be accepted at this match.    

“The Hispanic community is very passionate about soccer and the entire Kickers organization is ecstatic about hosting C.S.D. Comunicaciones, Guatemala’s Premier Division Champions,” comments Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Vice President of Soccer Programs.  “We look forward to a fantastic night of soccer and encourage all sports fans to support a significant moment for the Kickers and our local Hispanic community.”

One of the most successful clubs in Guatemala, C.S.D. Comunicaciones has won 23 league championships throughout its storied history.  Comunicaciones most recently claimed the 2008 Apertura season (August through December) crown and the Clausura (January through May) title, earning a berth into the Group Stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.  Nicknamed Los Cremas for the team’s cream-colored home jerseys, C.S.D. Comunicaciones is led by forward and captain Rolando Fonseca, the all-time leading scorer of the Costa Rican national team with 47 goals.

The Richmond Kickers recently signed a multi-year agreement with the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (VAHCC) to maximize the Kickers’ visibility and promotion of this historic international exhibition.  The long-term partnership will extend beyond the July 25th exhibition to provide opportunities for joint marketing initiatives throughout the next three years.  In addition, the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will have a stadium presence at all of the Kickers regular season home games while the Kickers will be offered event sponsorships at all of the VAHCC signature events. 

"It is a wonderful opportunity to have one of the most successful soccer teams from Guatemala play the Richmond Kickers as this provides a great platform to drive the global community in Richmond together", adds Michel Zajur, President and CEO of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The C.S.D. Comunicaciones roster boasts international stars from four different Latin American countries including Guatemala, Brazil, Costa Rico and Uruguay.  The Comunicaciones game in Richmond will serve as the final stop on a four-game U.S. tour that kicks off against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on July 15th. 

About Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers enter into their 17th season as a member of the United Soccer Leagues family.  Since 1993, Richmond has qualified for post-season play 13 times, including six Championship appearances.  The Kickers reached the title match in 2007 for the fourth time in the past six seasons, narrowly missing their second consecutive league title after nine rounds of penalties.  Richmond’s five previous league Championship appearances (1995, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2006) include winning the Premier League title in 1995, a shoot-out loss to Seattle in the USL First Division final in 2005 and taking the USL Second Division crown in 2006.  In 2008, the Kickers fell short of another Championship berth after falling 1-0 in overtime to the eventual champions, Cleveland City Stars. 

About Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was founded in May 2000 as the first statewide organization to empower Hispanics in the Virginia business community.  The Chamber builds economic, social, and cultural bridges between Virginia and its growing Hispanic community.  Since its inception, the Chamber has worked to foster an environment that is conducive to business growth and benefits people with business acumen, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic, through cultural, social, and business activities.  The Chamber strives to facilitate growth and success of the VAHCC membership and Virginia Hispanic businesses, link the Hispanic community, and provide advocacy, awareness and interest in the Virginia Hispanic community.  The Chamber works with Hispanics and all interested in Hispanic business, including the Virginia Hispanic business community; Virginia businesses and corporations, local, state, federal, and international entities, and non-profit organizations.