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English Premier League's Stoke City F.C. to Meet Houston Dynamo in BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup

April 30, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON, TX (Tuesday, April 30, 2013) - Dynamo Charities, presented by the Halliburton Charitable Foundation, announced today that the Houston Dynamo and Stoke City F.C. of England will meet in the fifth BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup. The game will be played at 8 p.m. CT on July 24 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

The BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup, benefitting Dynamo Charities, is an annual match between the Dynamo and a prominent international opponent. Previous BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup opponents include Valencia CF (Spain), Bolton Wanderers (England), Club Deportivo Aguila (El Salvador) and CF Monterrey (Mexico). The Dynamo are 2-2-0 all-time in Charities Cup play.

"We are pleased to be hosting an historic English Premier League club at BBVA Compass Stadium as part of this growing tradition," said Dynamo President Chris Canetti. "This event showcases the international element of soccer, provides a fun and entertaining night for fans, and offers a terrific charitable angle for the community."

Stoke City features former Dynamo defender and U.S. national team regular Geoff Cameron and former FC Dallas midfielder and U.S. international Brek Shea.

Stoke City, also known as the Potters, was founded in 1863 and is the oldest club in the Barclays Premier League, the top tier of English soccer. The Potters, managed by Tony Pulis, joined the Premier League in 2008 and play at Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands region of England. Stoke City is returning to the United States this summer after they played in three American cities last year.

"The tour to the United States was extremely successful last year, first and foremost in achieving our primary objective of helping to prepare the squad for the season ahead," said Stoke City Chief Executive Tony Scholes. "The transfers of Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea subsequently presented opportunities for us to play matches against their former clubs which is where we will be heading."

Cameron joined the Potters last August after appearing in 116 regular season games in five seasons with Houston. He was drafted by the Dynamo in 2008 and tallied 11 goals and 15 assists in orange. Cameron also has made 14 appearances for the U.S. national team, including a starting role in each of its last seven World Cup qualifying matches.

Shea, a native of Bryan, Texas, played youth soccer in Houston with Texans SC. He appeared in 98 games in five seasons after being selected by FC Dallas second overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. Shea joined Stoke City in January and has 16 caps for the U.S. national team.

"It is fantastic for us to continue participating in the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup in great fashion, playing teams from some of the best leagues in the world," said Dynamo Head Coach Dominic Kinnear. "This year, it is great to play against Stoke City, a team which many of our fans have followed since Geoff Cameron's move to England. We are proud of our charitable initiatives and look forward to contributing to them with our play on the field."

The Potters also feature former England national team forward Peter Crouch (22 goals in 42 appearances for England) and English forward Jonathan Walters (team-high seven goals this season). Captain Ryan Shawcross has started 35 games this season in the Potters back line.

Stoke City reached the 2011 FA Cup Final, falling to Manchester City 1-0. The Potters also participated in the 2011-12 Europa League, advancing out of the group stage before losing to Valencia CF in the Round of 32.

"We're looking forward to a great match between two celebrated teams at this year's BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup," said BBVA Compass Houston City President Mark Montgomery. "By coming out and showing their support, fans will help us revitalize Houston's East End and build a better future for so many people in our city."

Proceeds from this year's Dynamo Charities Cup will go toward the "Building a Better Houston" initiative, a campaign led by Dynamo Charities and BBVA Compass to make improvements in Houston's East End. The program will include: a home renovation with Rebuilding Together in May; a Food Bank event during July's Dynamo Charities Week; financial education programs for East End students in September; and the "Business of Sports" program with Junior Achievement this fall.

Tickets to the match are available now through the Forever Orange 15-Pack (starting at $300), which includes tickets to the July 24 game vs. Stoke City, all 12 remaining MLS regular season games and two CONCACAF Champions League matches. Individual tickets to the match are also available for purchase starting today through www.houstondynamo.com or 713-276-GOAL.

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