HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Dynamo and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) today announced that the current CONCACAF champions, legendary Mexican side Club America, will face current European and Spanish league champions FC Barcelona on Wednesday August 9th at Houston's Reliant Stadium as part of a doubleheader that will also feature a marquee MLS matchup between the hometown Houston Dynamo and current MLS champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy. The match in Houston is part of FC Barcelona's 2006 US tour that will also take them to Los Angeles on August 6 and New York on August 12.
Considered by many to be the greatest club on the planet, FC Barcelona has won18 Spanish league titles, 24 Copa del Rey titles and has twice been crowned champions of Europe. The Spanish giants most recently defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the 2005-'06 UEFA Champions League final to capture their second European crown. The squad features many of the world's greatest players, including FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho (Brazil), 18-year-old sensation Lionel Messi (Argentina), and African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon). In fact, no less than 11 players from FC Barcelona will feature prominently in their respective national teams in this summer's FIFA World Cup.
Club America is one of Mexico and CONCACAF's most storied franchises with a wealth of national and international titles to their credit. America is the defending CONCACAF Champions Cup winner and has won a total of 10 Mexican League titles. Club America, as CONCACAF region champions, will join FC Barcelona, European club champions, in December's FIFA Club World Championship. The Mexico City club, coached by Luis Fernando Tena, boasts a talented roster that features some of Mexico's most talented players including Cuauhtémoc Blanco and current Mexican National Team members Guillermo Ochoa, Pavel Pardo and José Antonio Castro.
"America is a great club with much tradition, tied for most championships in the Mexican Soccer league. They have three players in the World Cup, which makes them even more exciting to watch", said Houston Dynamo President and General Manager, Oliver Luck. "It's always fun to watch the "azul crema", especially now since this is a great opportunity to play against the best team in the world," said Luck.
The event will take place at Reliant Stadium on Wednesday, August 9, 2006, and will feature all the stars of the recently crowned UEFA Champions League winners including FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, Argentina forward sensation Lionel Messi, Mexican National Team star Rafa Marquez and African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o. The first game will feature the regular season game between Houston Dynamo and the defending MLS Cup Champion, Los Angeles Galaxy, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. CT. The second game will follow, and include FC Barcelona and a yet-to-be-named Mexican club.
The initial on-sale period, which began this past Monday, June 5th, is a private window for Dynamo season ticket holders. Dynamo season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to purchase an unlimited number of seats to the match, while those with 5 and 10-game plans can purchase up to double the amount of their original number of seats. This exclusive window opens at 9:00 a.m., and closes on Saturday, June 10, 2006, at 2:00 p.m.
It should be noted that full-season tickets, 5 and 10-game packages include tickets to the August 9th double header.
Dynamo season ticket holders must call the Dynamo ticket office at 713-276-7500 to purchase additional seats. The team's ticket office is open from 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 10th.
Those not holding Houston Dynamo season tickets will have their first chance to get the best available seats beginning on Monday, June 12, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. At that time, fans may purchase a special Dynamo Four-Game Pack, which features the August 9th double header and three other regular season Dynamo games at Robertson Stadium. The Four-Game pack prices range from $80-$183. This exclusive opportunity will be available until tickets go on sale to the general public on June 27.
Fans may purchase this special package by either calling the Houston Dynamo office, at 713.276.7500, or by logging onto www.houstondynamo.com.
Group buyers can get the best available seats before tickets go on sale to the general public. Beginning on Monday, June 19, 2006 at 9:00 a.m., fans can get early access to the game when they purchase 20 or more tickets to the August 9 double header and match it with the same number of seats to a Houston Dynamo regular season game. Regular group ticket rates apply. This exclusive window will close on Monday, June 26, 2006, at 6:00 PM.
The package may be purchased through the Houston Dynamo office as well by calling 713-276-7500.
Individual tickets will go on sale to the general public through Ticketmaster outlets, telephone, and internet, on Tuesday, June 27, 2006, at 10:00 AM. Individual ticket prices for the Double-Header are as follows:
Double-Header Ticket Prices:
Category Individual Ticket Price Group Rate:
Midfield $75 $70
Sideline $60 $55
Endline $50 $45
Corner $40 $35
End Zone $35 $30
