SECAUCUS, N.J. - The MetroStars and Continental Airlines are proud to announce a partnership that grants presenting sponsorship to Continental Airlines of the MetroStars 2005 International Preseason. The first leg of the Metros' international preseason will be to Guayaquil, Ecuador from Thursday, February 24 to Thursday, March 10.
Tuesday night the MetroStars beat Emelec 2-0 in Machala, Ecuador in their first match of the 2005 Ecuadorian Preseason. An Amado Guevara penalty kick, and a late goal from Lopez Ederson were the difference in the contest. The MetroStars next match is slated for Thursday when they will play El Deportivo Quevedo in Quevedo at 4:00 p.m. ET. There will be a third match scheduled at a time and location to be determined in the near future.
"Continental Airlines is very pleased to join the MetroStars in this partnership," said Leonor Villanueva, Continental Airlines' Regional Director, Latin America Sales. "Continental offers service to 64 destinations in 24 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we believe this new relationship with the MetroStars is a great way to highlight our commitment to the people and countries of Latin America."
Continental Airlines will be the official sponsor of the Continental Airlines Friendship Cup, which will be held on March 23, 2005 at 8:30 p.m. at Giants Stadium. During this match, the MetroStars will play Deportivo Cuenca, the current club champion of Ecuador and an Ecuadorian representative in the 2005 Copa Libertadores. The winner of the game will receive the 2005 Continental Airlines Friendship Cup. Additionally, a pre-game reception sponsored by Continental Airlines will be held for local Ecuadorian business leaders.
"We are extremely excited to develop this unique partnership with Continental Airlines," said MetroStars Executive Vice President John Guppy. "The MetroStars have built- and continue to build- a very special relationship with the Ecuadorian community. We believe this is a natural partnership that will be a tremendous success for all parties involved."
The final leg of the MetroStars International Preseason will take place in Trinidad and Tobago from Tuesday, March 15 to Saturday, March 19. While in Trinidad, the Metros will play Jabloteh on March 15 at 6:00 p.m. EST and W Connection on Friday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m. EST.
