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USL FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati to Host Premier League FA Cup Finalist Crystal Palace in Friendly

May 19, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Cincinnati News Release


CINCINNATI - FC Cincinnati will host Premier League member and FA Cup finalist, Crystal Palace, in an international friendly July 16 at Nippert Stadium.

"It's a tremendous opportunity to bring a Barclays English Premier League team such as Crystal Palace to Cincinnati," said President and General Manager, Jeff Berding. "It makes a strong statement that Cincinnati is one of the top soccer cities in the U.S. and what a great opportunity for our players and our club. It should be a great night of soccer in Cincinnati."

Cincinnati will be one of three stops for the London-based side's North American tour, which will compete for the FA Cup trophy this Saturday against Manchester United at 12:00 p.m. (EST) and will be televised on Fox Sports. The Eagles open the tour July 13 against MLS side, Philadelphia Union, before traveling to take on the Orange and Blue. Their summer swing ends against Vancouver White Caps FC, also of the MLS, July 19.

"What an incredible opportunity to play against such a quality opponent from the Barclays Premier League," said Head Coach John Harkes. "This is a club with a tremendous history in the game at the highest level for many years. As a young club, it will present a huge challenge and a tremendous experience for our players and fans of FC Cincinnati. Alan Pardew is a well-respected and successful manager. Having known him from my playing days in the UK, I look forward to seeing him again on this huge occasion."

"It's a trip that I think will be good for the club," said Pardew in a Crystal Palace press release. "As we prepare for our upcoming Premier League season, we had a number of teams that want to play us and we've taken this opportunity to go to North America to spread the word of the type of football we play."

"Our fan base continues to grow in North America and this is a perfect opportunity to reach out to those fans as well as introduce ourselves to many more new fans in the United States and Canada."

Season ticket holders have a single ticket to the friendly included in their 2016 packages with a special opportunity to purchase up to six additional tickets in early June. Tickets for the general public are expected to be available to purchase in mid-June.

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