The MetroStars announced Thursday that they have partnered with Soccer United Marketing to host an international match between the National Teams of Mexico and Ecuador at Giants Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. ET. The game, presented by The Home Depot, is part of the 2004 "Coca-Cola Presents Real Mexican Soccer" Tour and it will mark the sole appearance of both Mexico and Ecuador in the New York City area this year. Tickets for the match will start at just $20, and will go on sale to the public on Friday.
"The MetroStars are delighted to bring this night of soccer to the tri-state area in what will be a great night of international competition," said MetroStars President and General Manager Nick Sakiewicz. "This match will give soccer fans a great opportunity to come to Giants Stadium and enjoy a great night of affordable world class soccer."
Mexico, which kicked off its 2004 U.S. tour in early February and has since experienced a busy season with its participation in the prestigious Copa America and 2004 Summer Olympics, will play its fourth exhibition on U.S. soil following three World Cup Qualifying matches to begin the month of October. In the previous three games of the 2004 U.S. tour, Mexico tied Chile (1-1 on February 18), defeated Costa Rica (2-0 on March 31) and lost to United States (1-0 on April 28).
The most recent encounter between Mexico and Ecuador took place during the summer in Peru as part of the 2004 Copa America, the championship for South American nations in which Mexico was invited to participate. On that occasion, Mexico defeated Ecuador to move on to the quarterfinals, where El Tri lost to Brazil. The Mexicans also defeated the Ecuadorians 2-1 in a friendly match played earlier this year in Chiapas, Mexico.
Mexico and Ecuador have met on 13 occasions, with the first meeting resulting in a 4-2 Mexico exhibition win on April 29, 1970. Nearly 30 years later, the two national teams came face to face for the first time in a World Cup. At the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-1 in group play. In the all-time series between the two countries, Mexico has won nine times, with Ecuador claiming a single victory and three ties. Mexico also holds the all-time edge in goals scored with 26 goals compared to Ecuador's 12.
Both countries are currently in the midst of regional qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup that will be held in Germany. Mexico, coached by Ricardo Lavolpe, is in second place in the CONCACAF Group C with two games in hand on group leaders Trinidad & Tobago (the top two teams in each group qualify to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying). The Mexicans registered a 3-1 win against Trinidad & Tobago in its only Group C game played thus far. Lavolpe's team is next scheduled to play three World Cup Qualifying games in the first two weeks of October prior to making the trip to Giants Stadium: vs. St. Vincent & the Grenadines on Oct. 6 and Oct. 10; vs. Trinidad & Tobago on Oct. 13 in Mexico.
Ecuador, coached by Luis Fernando Suarez, is fifth in the South American World Cup qualifiers, with 10 points (three wins, four losses and one tie). Before heading to United States, Ecuador will take on Chile on October 10 in Quito and then travel to face Venezuela on October 14 in key matches on the road to the 2006 World Cup. The top four teams in South American Qualifying earn a ticket to Germany in 2006 while the fifth-placed team battles another from the Oceania region in a playoff.
Tickets for the Mexico vs. Ecuador match range from $20 to $60 in price and are on sale through all Ticketmaster outlets, the box office at Giants Stadium, all Delgado Travel agencies, and MetroStars Small Business Partner locations. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-888-4METROTIX (1-888-463-8768).
