COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus Crew General Manager Mark McCullers announced today that The Crew has partnered with Dominion Homes, Budweiser and adidas for the Third Annual Dominion Homes Copa Victoria adult Hispanic soccer tournament.
The 24-team, single-elimination tournament begins Saturday, August 13, and concludes with the championship game at 4:30 p.m. at Crew Stadium prior to The Crew's game vs. CD Chivas USA on Saturday, October 1. The championship game will be part of Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night at Crew Stadium.
On Wednesday, July 27, The Crew and representatives from Dominion Homes held the official tournament draw in the Huntington Club at Crew Stadium. Team managers and players from the 24 participating teams were in attendance for the unveiling of the tournament bracket, and were later treated to the closed scrimmage between The Crew and English Premier League Club Fulham FC.
"The Dominion Homes Copa Victoria Tournament allows The Crew and its partners to reach out to a growing segment of our audience and fan base," McCullers said. "The Hispanic and Latino communities continue to be integral and important parts of the central Ohio region."</p>
Tournament games will be played at The Crew Training Center at Obetz (August 13, August 20, August 27, September 10, September 17 and September 24) up until the title match at Crew Stadium (October 1).
All 480 participants in the tournament receive a ticket to the October 1 Crew game and $10 in food vouchers compliments of Dominion Homes, Budweiser and adidas.
Tournament standings, pairings, rules and information will be posted on the Crew's official Web site, www.thecrew.com, and in other print media. The winner of the tournament will be awarded the championship trophy at halftime of the October 1 Crew game.
The following teams are participating in the 2005 Dominion Homes Copa Victoria Tournament: San Ber, F. De Puebla, Pumas USA, Cruz Azul, Momias, Argentina, Columbus Star, El Salvador (OHASA), Santa Rita, Guatemala, Ohio Extreme, Andes FC, CD Metapan, Jalco Nay, MV Crew, CD Aguila, El Salvador (CHSL), Club River, Atletico Mexiquense, Santa Fe, Jueventas, Brazil, Real Silao and Santos Laguna.</p>
The Dominion Homes Copa Victoria Tournament is representative of The Columbus Crew's long-standing relationship with the Hispanic community in Central Ohio. In addition to coordinating the popular tournament, each year the Crew organizes Fubolito, the official 4v4 tournament of Major League Soccer, as well as Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night. The Crew and Spanish radio broadcast partner, WXOL RadioSol, also air each home match in Spanish. This year, on September 3, Crew Stadium will host the most anticipated soccer match in the country as the U.S. Men's National Team plays the Mexican National Team in World Cup Qualifying action. The match sold out in 20 minutes on the first day tickets were made available to the general public. </p>
