This week, Major League Soccer will be coming to south Texas, in the first (of hopefully many) Texas Pro Soccer Fest.
From March 3-9, four of MLS’ most popular teams and some of the league’s biggest stars will be on display in the San Antonio area, in a weeklong training camp and friendly match series.
Brian Ching, Dwayne De Rosario, and the two-time defending MLS champion Houston Dynamo will be making the short trip, and they’ll be joined by another former champion in four-time winners D.C. United, who boast last year’s MVP, Luciano Emilio, Jaime Moreno, and a notable recent addition in Argentine midfielder Marcelo Gallardo.
Along with the Dynamo and D.C. United, two of the league’s most popular franchises will take part, in 2007 Western Conference regular-season champion Chivas USA and Toronto FC, who had one of the league’s highest attendances last season, their first season in existence.
Throughout the week, the teams will participate in open practices at the Soccer International facility in Schertz, allowing fans a unique opportunity to see some of their favorite MLS stars training in person.
Then, the four teams will face off in ‘friendly’ match doubleheaders on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at Steele High School in Cibolo. For Houston and D.C., the series of matches will help get them warmed up for their CONCACAF Champions’ Cup quarterfinal ties, which will take place the following week.
There could very well be an early preview of the 2008 MLS Cup in one of those matches, as D.C. should contend once again in the East, and in the West, Houston and Chivas USA should be right there at the top again as they were last year.
Not only is it worth it to throw down a few bucks on seeing some quality soccer, but better yet, proceeds from the tournament will go to a good cause, both for charitable purposes and to help out soccer in the area.
So, if you live in the San Antonio area, or anywhere close, try to make it to at least one of the days. I’ll be there, and so should you.
To order tickets online, and to find out more about the event, go to http://www.texasprosoccerfest.com.
Texas Pro Soccer Fest Match Schedule (all times CST)
Wednesday, March 5
D.C. United vs. Chivas USA, 6:00 pm
Houston Dynamo vs. Toronto FC, 8:30 pm
Friday, March 7
Toronto FC vs. D.C. United, 6:00 pm
Chivas USA vs. Houston Dynamo, 8:30 pm
Sunday, March 9
Houston Dynamo vs. D.C. United, 12:30 pm
Chivas USA vs. Toronto FC, 2:30 pm
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