COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has again partnered with former Crew great and current English Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel to play in the Second Annual RPM World Legends match on Thursday, June 22, at 7 p.m., at Bay High School Memorial Stadium.
The match, which will pit The Crew vs. a team of international stars, is a fundraiser to benefit Brad Friedel's Premier Soccer Academies, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Players scheduled to appear for the World Legends team include former international stars Friedel, Paul Caligiuri and Desmond Armstrong (United States), Gianfranco Zola (Italy), Peter Enckelman (Finland), Marc Hottiger (Switzerland), John Barnes and Scott Sellars (England) and more.
Tickets are available at www.PremierSoccerAcademies.com, by calling 440-473-9066 or at the gate prior to the game. They will also be available at Crew Stadium's "Cup Headquarters" viewing parties for the 2006 FIFA World Cwup and at The Crew's home games on June 10 and June 21. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children under 13. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Bay's stadium is located at 29230 Wolf Rd., in the Cleveland suburb of Bay Village, Ohio.
"The Legends match is a natural fit for The Crew organization to partner with one of our most recognizable players in Brad Friedel," said Crew General Manager Mark McCullers. "We believe in what Brad is doing with Premier Soccer Academies and this is a great opportunity for The Crew to be visible in northern Ohio."
"We are extremely grateful for all the support we are receiving from the soccer community, both internationally and here at home," said Friedel, current Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper. "The RPM World Legends Match is a great event to raise funding and awareness for Premier Soccer Academies and our mission of providing the highest quality soccer education, experience, training and enjoyment to talented soccer players."
Premier Soccer Academies recently broke ground on the Premier Soccer Academy, an $8-million, state-of-the-art facility, in Lorain, Ohio. The Academy, which is scheduled for completion in spring 2007, is the country's first residential soccer academy free to players, and will be home to soccer's rising stars recruited from around the world. A freshmen class of 20-24 boys, ages 13-14, will enter the Academy in August 2007, where they will live and train 10 months a year.
Premier Soccer Academies was co-founded by Friedel, Armstrong and Barry Venison to deliver a sound, proven method of education and training for the many talented soccer players throughout the U.S. and around the world. Premier Soccer Academies is structured after professional team training camps abroad and U.S. National Team experiences. Visit www.PremierSoccerAcademies.com for additional information.
