Texas National Premier Soccer League side Galveston Pirate Soccer Club have managed a coup in capturing Mexican giants Club de Futbol Monterrey for a challenge match on July 2nd.
Monterrey are current CONCACAF Champions League Title holders and sit fourth place in the Mexican Torneo Clausura as the season heads to its playoff stages so this match up will be a huge test of strength and character for the fledgling NPSL side.
Rayados defeated Real Salt Lake in the two leg Champions League Final last year and shows the quality of the club, giving them the illustrious title of Champion of the CONCACAF region. This title also allows them entry to play in the FIFA Club World Cup along with Champions of Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.
This summer they will also add the name of Galveston Pirate Soccer Club to that list of clubs they will face when still current CONCACAF Champions.
Pirate coach Brendan Keyes said:” This is huge, perhaps the largest sporting event to have ever taken place in the Galveston area. We are still in talks to use Courville stadium as the capacity is 10’000 as tickets for the game will be like gold-dust.”
“We have a large Mexican population in the area so it will interest a large demographic of soccer fans from across the region.”
“Typically, only Houston Dynamo in the MLS would be able to attract a team of Monterrey’s quality but thanks to the growth of our club through the NPSL and our TV partners Azteca 51, we have been able to coax the Mexican giants to Galveston to participate in this challenge match.” continued the Irishman.
“This will be the Rayados reserve team we will be playing against, not the under 21s or academy side and we expect their squad to be littered with official first team squad players as they prepare for their new season. This match will be important to them as the try and get the players back to match fitness and preparedness for the 2013 Torneo Apertura.”
“Currently they are still playing in the Torneo Clausura until the end of April and are in one of the playoff spots, only three points from top spot, so they are a good side. We are under no illusions how good they are and this match will be a tough test for us.”
“We finish our NPSL season against Regals SCA on Saturday 30th June and this challenge match is scheduled for Monday July 2nd, so it’s going to be an exciting few days for all involved with the Pirate franchise.”
“Monterrey were very approachable with regards to this match, and agreed to the details without much discussion needed. They look like being very good opponents and their organizers have been gentlemen throughout the process.”
“We look forward to seeing the bleachers packed at Courville Stadium come July 2nd and hopefully with this stadium being smaller than the 38’000 Technologico Stadium they are used to, it will work in our favour and perhaps give us a level playing field with the Mexican giants.”
Ticket prices will be set at $20.
Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for 90Soccer & NotJustScottishFootball, he works as PR for Ayr United Football Academy & Galveston Pirate Soccer Club who play in the NPSL in Texas, USA. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated. You can follow Marc @myscottishfitba
