Philadelphia Union to Face Manchester United July 21 at Lincoln Financial Field as Part of North American Summer Tour
Philadelphia is the second stop on the four city tour
CONTACT:
Philadelphia Union
Aimee Cicero (610) 209-3657 (cell); acicero@philadelphiaunion.com
Cristina Maíllo-Belda (240) 602-0488; cmaillo-belda@philadelphiaunion.com
Philadelphia Eagles
Pamela Browner White (215) 320-5186; pbrownerwhite@eagles.nfl.com
PHILADELPHIA (May 6, 2010) – The Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Union announced today that they will welcome reigning English Premier League champion Manchester United to Lincoln Financial Field on Wednesday, July 21st, 2010. The match in Philadelphia is the second leg of Manchester United’s 2010 North American Tour, which also includes stops in Toronto, Kansas City and Houston.
“We’re very excited to be a part of such an international event at a world class facility like Lincoln Financial Field,” said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “Manchester United is one of the most successful clubs in the world and to be able to compete against it as the home team on the heels of the World Cup is a truly special experience.”
“This is yet another great opportunity to put Philadelphia on the world stage and tap into the success of soccer,” said Philadelphia Eagles President Joe Banner. “We are extremely pleased to once again welcome Manchester United to Philadelphia and to Lincoln Financial Field. We’ve had an overwhelming response from the region with Manchester United, with a sell out in 2003 and a near capacity sell out in 2004. We are excited about the opportunity to provide the highest quality accommodations and hospitality to soccer enthusiasts from the region and beyond. We have a great partnership with Philadelphia Union, Major League Soccer and Creative Artists Agency, and we look forward to an incredibly successful match in July.”
The tour begins on July 16th with Manchester United taking on Celtic F.C. in Toronto and includes games with the Union and the Kansas City Wizards before culminating in Houston as part of the 2010 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 28.
Founded in 1878, Manchester United won their third consecutive Barclays Premier League Championship in 2009, their 18th overall league title. Manchester United was the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968 and has since won the European Champions League two additional times. The Red Devils were also crowned the FIFA Club World Cup Champions in 2008.
“It’s great to be going back to North America,” said Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson. “I enjoyed the last two tours there in 2003 and 2004 immensely. The quality of the facilities is outstanding and there is real enthusiasm in the crowds. It’s especially pleasing to be going in a World Cup year, when interest in football will be at its height.”
Managed by Sir Alex Ferguson since 1986, Manchester United boasts a lineup full of international stars such as Wayne Rooney (England), Patrice Evra (France), Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria), Nani (Portugal), Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands), Antonio Valencia (Ecuador) and legendary midfielder Ryan Giggs (Wales). Rooney scored his 100th Premier League goal this season and is currently tied for the English Premier league scoring lead with 26 goals. This April, Manchester United announced the signing of Mexican star Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. United are committed to fielding all of its players for the North American tour who are not obligated to World Cup duties.
Tickets for this event will be available to the general public beginning Monday, May 10th at 10:00 a.m. through PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Ticketmaster.com and by phone at (800) 745-3000.
Manchester United’s North American Tour is being presented by Major League Soccer and Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The tour will mark the first time United have played games in this region of the world since 2004.
MANCHESTER UNITED 2010 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE
| July 16 | Manchester United vs. Celtic F.C. | 7:30 pm ET | Rogers Center, Toronto |
| July 21 | Manchester United vs. Philadelphia Union | TBD | Lincoln Financial Field |
| July 25 | Manchester United vs. Kansas City Wizards | 6:00 pm ET | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| July 28 | MLS All-Star Game vs. Manchester United | 8:30 pm ET | Reliant Stadium, Houston |
For more information on Philadelphia Union, please visit www.philadelphiaunion.com.
ABOUT KEYSTONE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT LLC
Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, is the Philadelphia Union ownership group. It is comprised of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iStar Financial Jay Sugarman, CEO and Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz, Christopher and Robert Buccini and David Pollin, founding partners of The Buccini/Pollin Group, Swarthmore Group’s Jim Nevels (Chairman) and Paula Mandle (CEO), and Philadelphia attorney William Doran. For more information about Philadelphia Union, visit www.philadelphiaunion.com.
ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The Philadelphia Eagles are members of the NFC East division of the National Football League (NFL). Under its current leadership the team has become known as one of the most aggressive as well as progressive organizations in professional sports. Since 1995, the Eagles franchise has been in the playoffs nine times, appearing in five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl. Off the field the Eagles are recognized as a leader in community outreach having founded the Eagles Youth Partnership, one of professional sports' most innovative charitable foundations, and Go Green, the team’s comprehensive environmental initiative. For more information visit the Eagles website at www.PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
