On Saturday, August 26, Pizza Hut Park will host the championship game of Copa Tecate 2006, the nation's premiere Hispanic amateur soccer tournament now in its sixth year. Since February more than 2,700 teams in 22 cities across the nation have been competing for a spot in the national championship; team Nacional from Chicago and team Jerez from San Jose, Calif., will vie for $15,000 cash and bragging rights as the national champion. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT.
"For seven months more than 48,000 amateur Hispanic soccer players have dedicated their nights and weekends to practicing and playing for the chance to travel the country competing in Copa Tecate," said Carlos Boughton, brand manager for Tecate. "We understand the importance of soccer to Hispanics, and Tecate is committed to bringing an exciting and authentic celebration to the Dallas community."
Copa Tecate fans will be treated to a special exhibition match pitting celebrity soccer players from Seleccion Tecate against 10 local Hispanic personalities chosen by Univision Radio. Celebrity players include Luis Roberto Alves "Zague," Manuel Negrete, Missael Espinoza and Adolfo Rios from Seleccion Tecate; joined by Azteca America stars Edgar Guerrero and Rodrigo Cachero. The beautiful Senadoras from Univision's "Republica Deportiva" will also be onsite for a photograph and autograph session.
FC Dallas assistant coaches Oscar Pareja and Marco Ferruzzi will help prepare the two participating finalists on Friday morning, running a practice session with each team.
The night will culminate with three unforgettable performances by some of Mexico's most talented artists. Valentin Ceja y la Banda Sol de Santa Cruz will open the concert and are sure to get the audience off their feet with their banda rhythms; Grupo Control will follow with the latest in cumbia music. The event will end with the performance by headliner Tucanes de Tijuana, whose popularity has crossed international borders and sold millions of records in North America.
Tickets for the event are on sale now for $15 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. A percentage of ticket sales will benefit Astros del Fútbol Foundation, an organization dedicated to refurbishing soccer fields in Mexico. To learn more about the schedule of events for Copa Tecate and for media inquiries, contact Maria Amor or Emily Agan at (619) 234-0345 or visit www.copatecate.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, August 25:
8:00 - 9:15 am - El Nacional and Deportiovo Jerez practice on the training fields # 9 & # 10
Saturday, August 26:
12:30 p.m. - Gates Open
1:00 - 2:00 p.m - Autograph Session with Seleccion Tecate 2006 Players at the Tecate Cantina
2:30 - 4:00 p.m - Celebrity Match with Seleccion Tecate 2006 and Local DFW Celebrities
4:30 - 6:30 p.m - Copa Tecate Finals - El Nacional (Chicago,IL) vs. Deportivo Jerez (San Jose,CA)
7:30 - 11:00 p.m - Concerts: Valentin Ceja, Grupo Control, Los Tucanes de Tijuana
