RICHMOND, VA – (Friday, June 27, 2014) – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to host the Mexico U21 National Team in an international exhibition at City Stadium on Tuesday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. The historic match will showcase top young talent from Mexico’s top flight, Liga MX, as the team prepares for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. General admission tickets for $20 are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
“Our previous Mexico match-up produced an electric crowd that was one, if not the best, fan atmospheres we have ever experienced at City Stadium,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “This is another fantastic opportunity for our fans and players to sample the energy, passion and authentic soccer atmosphere this Word Cup style event will bring to RVA.”
The Mexican Olympic Team is led by Head Coach Raul Gutierrez who took the helm after leading the Mexico U17 National Team to the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup title. With a professional career spanning 14 years with Atlante and Club America, he also earned 37 caps with the full Mexico National Team and was a member of the team that competed in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
The El Tri U21 roster is comprised mainly of players from Liga MX powers including first team players Giovani Casillas (Chivas Guadalajara), Houston, TX native Uvaldo Luna (Tigres), Abel Fuentes (Oaxaca) and Marcelo Gracia (CF Monterrey). Also highlighting the roster are Jorge Espericueta, who currently plays with Villarreal of the Spanish La Liga and Carlos Salcedo from Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake.
The current U21s will likely form the core of the squad that will compete in the 2015 Pan American Games, 2016 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Mexico is the reigning Olympic champion as they won their country’s first gold medal in soccer at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Tuesday’s match marks the second time in club history that the Kickers will face the Mexican Olympic National Team, having hosted an exhibition in April 2010 when the visitors posted a 3-1 win. Rain showers throughout the day did not deter nearly 4,000 eager fans that saw David Izazola claim an early lead for the Mexican side with a 22nd minute tally. Former Kickers midfielder Mike Burke notched the equalizer just after halftime, with the score remaining deadlocked until the waning minutes of the match. Two back-to-back goals during stoppage time by Isaac Acuna and Piccolo Rojo, respectively, broke the stalemate to finish the first of their three-game U.S. tour on top.
This year, Richmond will be the second stop on the Mexican U21 National Team’s 10-day U.S. tour, which also includes friendlies against San Antonio Scorpions on June 28 and Minnesota United on July 4.
Tickets
General Admission tickets are on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com for $20, youth and adult. Fans are encouraged to join the Kickers Red Army and experience an authentic World Cup atmosphere in Section O, located directly behind the Mexico bench for just $15 in advance. With the exception of the Richmond Kickers 2014 All-Access Pass, season passes will not be accepted at this match.
