Silverbacks to host Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul

Published on March 12, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Atlanta Silverbacks News Release


The Atlanta Silverbacks will take on Mexican professional powerhouse, Cruz Azul, in the Silverbacks' "Copa Amistad" (Friendship Cup) on Saturday, July 28 at 8:00 pm. The international exhibition game, which will be played at RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium, will mark the first time such a storied club has come to Atlanta to play an American team. Cruz Azul will travel to Atlanta for four days to play the Silverbacks before returning to Mexico.

Known throughout the world, Cruz Azul competes in the First Division of Mexican professional soccer (Primera División de México). The team, 5-2-2, tied Club America 0-0 last night (3.11.07) and remains in fourth place overall in the league, behind Chivas Guadalajara, Pachuca, and Atlas. Cruz Azul boasts many international stars; Jared Borgetti, Gerardo Torrado, and Joel Huiqui represented Mexico in the 2006 World Cup; César "Chelito" Delgado won a gold medal with the Argentinean National Team in the 2004 Summer Olympics; and Oscar Perez and Salvador Carmona played for the Mexican National Team in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. Cruz Azul is coached by Isaac Mizrahi, who took the head coaching position in December of 2005.

Silverbacks' goalkeeper Felipe Quintero faced Cruz Azul when he played with Irapuato in the Mexican First Division. Quintero did not play in either of the two games against Cruz Azul (2-0 loss and 3-3 tie), and he says he's looking forward to taking on the legendary club.

"When I heard we were playing Cruz Azul, it brought back my childhood feelings of taking on a First Division Mexican team. Playing such a high-profile team brings extra motivation to our team and it's a great chance for the Silverbacks to be recognized in Mexico," commented Quintero. "I'm also looking forward to seeing my old friend, Miguel Sabah."

Quintero and Sabah, a forward for Cruz Azul, played together for Chivas' reserve team in the Second Division. Quintero also trained with Torrado on the U20 Mexican National Team leading up to the 1999 U20 World Championship.

"Copa Amistad" is an exhibition match that will not be considered in the Atlanta Silverbacks' USL First Division stats/rankings or in Cruz Azul's Mexican First Division stats/rankings.

As this is an exhibition game, tickets to see the Atlanta Silverbacks and Cruz Azul will be sold separately from any other ticket package. There will be three phases to purchase tickets to this event.

The first phase will see Platinum Club Members and Season Ticket holders offered the opportunity to purchase their existing seats.

The second phase will see tickets made available for purchase to members of other divisions of the Atlanta Silverbacks organization. Platinum Club Members and Season Ticket holders will be allowed to purchase additional tickets at this point.

And the third phase and final phase will see tickets go on sale to the general public on a first come, first served basis.

Additional ticket information including dates of sale and ticket pricing will be made available on April 3, 2006.

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USL First Division Stories from March 12, 2007


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