International soccer coming to Regina
Fans rejoice as New York Cosmos to play Valencia FC at Mosaic Stadium on July 22
Members of the Regina soccer community are looking forward to the Queen City playing host to its first international men’s soccer match.
Local soccer players, coaches and fans were on hand for Tuesday’s announcement at the Credit Union EventPlex that the New York Cosmos and Valencia FC are to play a friendly match at Mosaic Stadium on July 22.
Shayla Kapila, who is headed into her fifth year with the University of Regina Cougars women’s soccer team, was among the happy attendees at the announcement.
“This is an unreal opportunity not only for myself, but our soccer team and the whole soccer community in Regina,’’ Kapila said. “It’s unreal because people usually have to travel to watch these teams. For them to come to little old Regina is a pretty big deal.’’
Filipe Dos Santos, the head coach of the Ginga Futebol Academy, is also excited about the opportunity to see international soccer in Regina.
“This is huge because Valencia is one of the top five teams in Spain,’’ Dos Santos said. “They are very close to the Champions League, which is the best competition in the world for soccer. You have players who play for Valencia who played international football and in the World Cup.’’
The friendly match is to be part of what is being billed as “Soccer Day in Saskatchewan.’’ Coaches’ and players’ clinics are to be conducted along with an exhibition match between the Cougars and University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s soccer teams.
“It’s going to be unreal to have them there watching us play the Huskies,’’ Kapila said. “To be part of this in my last year will be unreal … I picture a full stadium of fans going wild. It’s going to be an event that everyone talks about for so many years.’’
Doug Pederson is in his fifth year as the executive director of Saskatchewan Soccer. He feels that the friendly match and the events surrounding it will be wellreceived in the soccer community.
“It’s the first time for something of this magnitude and with Valencia coming from across the pond and the New York Cosmos coming makes it a really exciting time for us,’’ Pederson said.
There are approximately 15,000 soccer players in Saskatchewan. Playing host to the international match can help the sport grow even more in the province.
“Our young athletes, coaches and volunteers all work hard,’’ Pederson said. “These kind of events really inspire them to achieve greatness and their dreams in the sport of soccer.’’
The Cosmos were originally part of the North American Soccer League in the 1970s and featured Brazilian forward Pelé, Italian striker Giorgio Chinaglia and West German sweeper Franz Beckenbauer. The Cosmos are often credited for leading the development of soccer in the United States.
The Cosmos are currently members of the North American Soccer League.
“The Cosmos have a historical aspect from the old days of the NASL,’’ said Cougars women’s soccer team head coach Bob Maltman. “It’s obviously a very competitive program.’’
Valencia is based in La Liga and is among the most successful clubs in European soccer, having won six Spanish championships. The club was founded in 1919 and plays its home games in a 75,000-seat stadium.
Valencia’s current roster features international players such as Portugal’s Nani, France’s Eliaquim Mangala, Spain’s Rodrigo, Argentina’s Enzo Pérez and Fabián Orellana, the latter of whom has appeared in two World Cups with Chile.
“I’m from Portugal and I’m very excited to see Nani in my hometown,’’ Dos Santos said. “I never thought that it would be possible to see Mangala or Rodrigo play in Regina in the new stadium. I’m very happy for that.’’
Tickets are to go on sale to the general public Friday through ticketmaster.ca and the Brandt Centre box office. Prices range from $22 to $66, plus applicable fees. A pre-sale for members of the Evraz Place Backstage Club begins Wednesday at 10 a.m.
It’s going to be an event that everyone talks about for so many years.