CHICAGO, IL (April 27, 2009) - The Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Club America of the Mexican Primera División (First Division) today announced that they are forming a new partnership to pursue mutually beneficial business and brand opportunities for their respective clubs.
After months of negotiations among club owners and executives, the Fire and Club America reached an agreement outlining the opportunities that they will jointly pursue to build their businesses. These opportunities will kick off in Chicago on Wednesday, April 29th at 7:30 PM CST for a previously announced international friendly match between both clubs at TOYOTA PARK.
"America," as they are known in the soccer world, will then return the favor by hosting another international friendly match later in the season at renowned Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico (date TBA). The clubs will also work together to develop their businesses in corporate sponsorships, player development programs and Chicago-based Club America summer camps and clinics operated by the Fire.
The clubs pointed to both their shared market base and commitment to growing their brands as the centerpiece of this arrangement.
"The collaboration between Club America and the Chicago Fire will make for a strong partnership and should provide great benefit to both clubs," said Michel Bauer, President of Club America. "We share much in common in the kind of market growth we are pursuing and are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in working with the Fire."
Chicago Fire president, Dave Greeley, added that the teams share not only a great passion for the game, but also for building their businesses and growing their fan bases.
"This collaboration with Club America will serve as a gateway for the growth we are pursuing in the Hispanic market, specifically the Mexican-American segment, which is already a very strong part of our growing fan base," said Greeley. "Both clubs have aggressive visions for growing their brands and taking advantage of unique opportunities that will help build the most successful organizations possible, which makes this collaboration a good match."
Beyond the friendly matches, the two clubs are developing next steps for corporate sponsorships, summer camps and clinics and player development.
The Chicago Fire versus Club America match on April 29 at TOYOTA PARK (7:30 p.m. CT) is included in Chicago Fire Season Ticket packages and Ten Game Plans, which are on sale now. Group tickets are available to parties of 20 or more. To purchase individual tickets, season tickets, Ten Game Plans, or group packages call 888-MLS-FIRE or e-mail tickets@chicago-fire.com.
ABOUT CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER
Chicago Fire Soccer was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer expansion team. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and was crowned the champion of U.S. Soccer's national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. In June 2006, the Fire moved into its world-class home of TOYOTA PARK, located in Bridgeview, IL, located just 15 minutes from downtown Chicago off of I-55 and I-294.
ABOUT CLUB AMERICA
Club de Fútbol América is a Mexican soccer club based in Mexico City and one of the most successful teams in Mexican soccer. América has won 33 titles including 14 league championships of which four were won in the amateur era. Founded in 1916 América is also known as "The Eagles". Through nearly a century of play, "Las Aguilas" have had many notable players on the roster including the Fire's own, Cuauhtémoc Blanco who appeared for the club in 333 games, tallying 125 goals.
ABOUT TOYOTA PARK
Located 15 minutes from downtown Chicago and minutes from Midway airport off of I-55 on Harlem Avenue, TOYOTA PARK is the Midwest's preeminent outdoor live entertainment and sporting facility. Opened in 2006, TOYOTA PARK not only serves as the home of the Chicago Fire, but also hosts a variety of sporting events, special events and concerts by national and international artists. In 2009, artists ranging from Jimmy Buffett to Phish will perform live at TOYOTA PARK.
ABOUT ESTADIO AZTECA
Estadio Azteca is the official home stadium of Club América of the Mexican Primera Division (First Division) and the Mexican National Team. Estadio Azteca was the primary soccer venue for the 1968 Summer Olympics and is the only stadium ever to host two FIFA World Cup final matches, in 1970 and 1986. Besides Soccer games the Azteca stadium was also the first stadium to host an official NFL game outside USA*; it has been the venue for top music concerts hosting artists such as U2 and Michael Jackson; it also hosted the 4th visit of Pope John Paul II to Mexico. With a capacity of 105,000, Estadio Azteca is the largest stadium in Mexico and fifth largest in the world. For more information please visit: http://www.esmas.com/estadioazteca/
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