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Sounders Host Mexico's Club America This Summer

May 25, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


The Seattle Sounders today announced an international match against Mexican powerhouse, Club America, on July 8th, 6:00 PM at Qwest Field.

"The Sounders are thrilled to offer soccer fans in the northwest an exhibition match against Club America, one of the world's great soccer clubs," said Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer. "In an effort to continue to bring an international soccer flavor to Seattle, the Sounders look forward to welcoming America to Qwest Field."

Club America is one of Mexico's most popular teams having won the Mexican league championship 10 times, a record shared with their closest rivals, Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas). Known as the Aguilas (the Eagles), America is based in Mexico City and plays out of the Estadio Azteca, which seats over 114,000.

America's current roster includes three current Mexican National Team players heading to the 2006 World Cup, Franciso Guillermo Ochoa, Jose Antonio Castro, and Pavel Pardo. Three former members of the Mexican national team also saw time with America last season, Duilio Davino, German Villa and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, arguably the most popular member of Club America's roster - and Claudio "El Piojo" Lopez (Argentinian National Team) and Ricardo Rojas (Chilean National Team) are former National Team players with their respective countries.

Though not expected to name its 2006 team until early June, America is scheduled to bring its full squad to Seattle for the match against the Sounders.

Tickets, which range in price from $20-$45, are on sale now through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (206) 628-0888.

Sounders season ticket holders will have until June 2nd to purchase their current season tickets. After June 2nd, seats will be released to the public. Season ticket holders should call the Sounders ticket office at (206) 622-3415 to purchase seats.

The entire lower bowl at Qwest Field will be utilized with most seats falling into the reserved seat category. General admission seats will only be available in the south end zone - $20 general admission tickets (children 12 and under receive $15 ticket prices).

Groups of 15 or more receive per seat discounts. For information on group tickets, call the Sounders ticket office at 206 622-3415.

The first 5,000 fans in attendance at the Sounders versus Club America match receive a complimentary general admission ticket to the Sounders next USL First Division home match against the Montreal Impact on July 15th.

For more information about the Seattle Sounders / Club America match, visit www.seattlesounders.net.

For more information on Club America visit www.clubamerica.com.mx.

About Club America

Founded in 1916, Club de Futbol America S.A. de C.V. is one of the most popular and renowned clubs in Mexico. A member of the Primera División de México, America plays out of the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The winner of 10 league championships, America's chief rival is Club Deportivo Guadalajara, Chivas.

Foundation

In 1916, two cousins from Mascarones Jesuit College, Rafael Garza Gutiérrez and Germán Nuñez Cortina, thought of forming a team to compete against other Jesuit Prep schools. The two cousins met with a handful of other schoolmates at German's aunt's house, located in Santa Maria la Ribera colony in Mexico City and formed a team, which was to be called 'Record.' Close to Mascarones Jesuit College was another prep school called La Perpetua College. A group of football players headed by Eugenio Cenoz had a team called 'Colon.' Colon had problems fielding 11 players and thought it would be best to join together with another team.

Players from Colon and Record came together on October 12, 1916 to further their proposals and discuss a new team name. Though many names were considered, it was Pedro 'Cheto' Quintanilla who had proposed America since they had formed a team on Columbus Day (Dia de las Americas). Soon after, the players designed a crest which had the map of the Americas encircled and placed a 'C' and an 'A' on both sides of the Americas to signify Club America. After they had created their logo, the players then decided on team colors. Rafael got some of his father's navy blue trousers and a yellow shirt and it was decided amongst the group that those would be the club's colors.

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