SAN JOSE - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the club will host Spanish First Division club Deportivo Alavés in an international exhibition match on Monday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. PT at Spartan Stadium. The first ever match-up between the Quakes and a Spanish First Division opponent will serve as bonus game "A" for Earthquakes season ticket holders.
A finalist in the 2001 UEFA Cup, Alavés cruised to the championship game led by Jordi Cruyff, where they dropped a memorable 5-4 decision to Liverpool FC. Based in the Basque capital of Vitoria, Deportivo Alavés was relegated to the Spanish Second Division in 2003, before earning promotion back to the First Division last month. A proud team that boasts ten years in the Spanish First Division, the 84-year old club made a triumphant return to the top league in 1995, eventually leading to the successful run to the UEFA Cup Final in 2001.
Training in the United States in preparation for their return to the Spanish First Division, Deportivo Alavés will be integrating several new players into the squad, including former Liverpool FC defender Mauricio Pellegrino from Argentina and Brazilian Wesley Lopes DaSilva from Portugal's FC Penafiel. Alavés were led last season by forwards Rodolfo Bodipo and Ruben Navarro and Argentinean goalkeeper Roberto Bonano, who formerly played for FC Barcelona.
The Earthquakes have a 13-13-5 all-time record against professional international opponents since 1996, including the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the preseason La Manga Cup and friendly matches. Last season, the Quakes defeated Sporting Club of Portugal 4-1 at Spartan Stadium on May 12 and dropped a 3-1 decision to the Canadian National Team on June 5.
Tickets for the Earthquakes - Deportivo Alavés go on sale Saturday, July 16 at 10:00 a.m. PT and are $45 (VIP), $30 (West Sideline), $16 (East Sideline and Corners) and $13 (Endzone). Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Earthquakes Ticket Office at 100 North Almaden Ave., by logging onto www.sjearthquakes.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at 408-998-TIXS, 415-421-TIXS, 510-625-TIXS, 925-685-TIXS, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including Tower Records, Rite Aid and Ritmo Latino. Discounted tickets for groups of 15 or more are available by calling 408-985-GOAL.
