NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



D.C. United

Four MLS teams to play in Texas tournament

January 29, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


CIBOLO, Texas ¾ The first Texas Pro Soccer Festival will feature four Major League Soccer teams, including the two-time MLS champion Houston Dynamos, during an electrifying week of double-header exhibition games, events and daily practices open to the public, officials announced Thursday.

Besides the Dynamo, other MLS teams coming to the greater San Antonio area for the first time ever include D.C. United, Toronto FC and Chivas USA. The festival's games will be held March 4 through 8 at Steele High School in Cibolo, while daily practices opened to area soccer fans are scheduled for the Soccer International facility (formerly Pepsi Soccer, Texas) in Schertz.

Tickets for the Texas Pro Soccer Festival can be ordered on-line at www.texasprosoccerfestival.com or by calling 000-000-0000. Practices for each team will be held every day beginning Tuesday March 3, while the double-header schedule will be:

Wednesday, March 4

- Chivas USA vs. Toronto FC - 6p

- Houston Dynamo vs. D.C. United - 8:15p

Friday, March 6

- Toronto FC vs. D.C. United - 6p

- Chivas USA vs. Houston Dynamo - 8:15p

Sunday, March 8

- D.C. United vs. Chivas USA - 1p

- Houston Dynamo vs. Toronto FC 3:15p

The Festival is an unprecedented opportunity for area fans to see a collection of MLS stars, including Brian Ching and Dwayne De Rosario on the Dynamo; MLS Gatorade Rookie of the Year Maurice Edu and Marvell Wynne on Toronto FC; Marcelo Gallardo and Jaime Moreno on D.C. United and Ante Razov and Francisco "Panchito" Mendoza on Chivas USA.

The week-long event is being organized by the non-profit San Antonio Metropolitan Youth Soccer Institute (SAMYS) in conjunction with Ziga-Zoga Sports & Entertainment, Inc. All Festival proceeds will be donated to SAMYS, the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District's soccer program and other national and local charities. SAMYS is the 501(c)(3) non-profit charity formed 10 years ago that developed San Antonio's premier 42-acre soccer, 12-field complex formerly known as Pepsi Soccer, Texas.

Dr. Ed Sakiewicz, SAMYS' president, says the first Texas Pro Soccer Festival gives sponsors and soccer fans from Austin to The Valley "an incredible opportunity to see some of the best talent in the MLS every day during this truly unique event."

"SAMYS' primary focus has always been to 'grow the game' of soccer in San Antonio, whether it's facilities or helping bring exhibitions to the area, and we're proud to be the driving force behind this Festival and working closely with officials in Cibolo, Schertz and San Antonio," said Dr. Sakiewicz (pronounced Sa-KEV-itch).

Cibolo Mayor Jennifer Hartman, City Manager Todd Barton and City Planner Nancy McBeth have worked closely with SAMYS and Ziga-Zoga to bring all of the city's resources together to make the Festival a reality.

"This is such a fabulous opportunity for soccer fans of all ages - MLS teams playing in Cibolo and practicing every day in Schertz," said Mayor Hartman.

"Everyone benefits - fans from Austin throughout the greater San Antonio area are not far away and we all can watch wonderful athletes playing the 'beautiful game,'" Mayor Hartman said.

Houston Dynamo President & General manager Oliver Luck agrees.

"I know I speak for all four teams when I say how much we look forward to participating in the first Texas Pro Soccer Festival," Luck said. "Fans from Austin to The Valley and each of the four markets can travel to see these exciting double-header games and enjoy all of the tourist destinations the area has to offer."

All Festival information and other details, such as practice times and details, will be posted daily on its website.

SAMYS has created a premier soccer management team that has extensive experience in developing soccer concepts, worked with municipal and governmental authorities, served as advisors to city and county officials on the impact of soccer-related matters and developed and promoted MLS and international soccer matches.

Ziga-Zoga Sports & Entertainment, Inc. is a soccer-specific media and entertainment company. Its network includes multiple interactive online and offline experiences for its clients, which consist of its growing online community portal - www.zigazoga.com - programming and special events.

Check out the D.C. United Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from January 29, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central