FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2005

 

PROFESSIONAL SOCCER RETURNS TO THE TRIANGLE
WITH SOCCER PHENOM FREDDY ADU

 

CARY, NC – Professional soccer makes its return to the Triangle on July 11, 2005 when Major League Soccer’s defending champions DC United--led by soccer phenomenon Freddy Adu--squares off against the United Soccer League’s First Division Rochester Rhinos.  The game will be played at 7:30 p.m. at the SAS Soccer Park in Cary. 

 

“We are excited to be playing the Rhinos in Cary,” said DC United Technical Director Dave Kasper.  “All of our previous matches have been exciting and competitive, and we look forward to providing the terrific soccer fans of the Triangle with a great evening of soccer.”

 

“The entire Rhinos organization is excited about the prospect of playing in Cary,” said Chris Economides, VP/GM/COO of the Rochester Rhinos.  “It has been refreshing working with government officials who want and appreciate sports people, activities, and ventures.  We have had a great experience so far and are looking forward to a tremendous event that will hopefully lead to bigger and better things.”

 

Tickets for the July 11th men’s professional soccer game are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets, via www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling (919) 834-4000 (all applicable service changes apply). Also purchase advance tickets at SAS Soccer Park on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 4 - 7p.m. and Sundays 1- 4 p.m. beginning Wednesday, May 25.

 

Club Level Seating
(Seat back, sideline)

$20.00 (in advance)
$22.00 (day of game)

 

Premium Level
(sideline, no seat back) 

$15.00 (in advance)
$17.00 (day of game)

 

Spectator Level
(end zone)

$10.00 (in advance)
$12.00 (day of game)

 

Standing Room Only (sold only after all seats are sold out)

$12.00 (day of game only)

 

 

SAS Soccer Park opened in May 2002 and was home to the Carolina Courage of the Women's United Soccer Association until the league suspended operations in September 2003.  The July 11th match will be the first professional soccer game at the park since the Town of Cary began managing the facility last year.

 

“We’re excited about the match and the opportunity it brings to showcase SAS Soccer Park as the perfect, full-time home for a professional soccer team,” said Town of Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister. 

 

Even in the absence of regular professional play, SAS Soccer Park continues to be a hotspot for major soccer events in the region.  The 2005 Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s and Men’s Soccer Championships will be held at SAS Soccer Park November 2-6 and November 9-13, respectively, and the NCAA will hold its 2005 Men’s College Cup Final Four on December 9th and 11th.

 

SAS Soccer Park includes a 7,000-seat stadium, seven fields, locker rooms, concessions, and a nationally recognized, competitive cross-country course.  The facilities are on 150 acres that the State of North Carolina leased to Wake County Government, which built the facilities using $14.5 million in countywide hotel room and prepared food and beverage taxes.  In August of 2004, the Town of Cary agreed to Wake County’s request to take over the operation and maintenance of the facilities, which are just inside Cary’s eastern town limits. 

 

For more, call (919) 858-0464 or see www.rhinossoccer.com.  See also www.dcunited.com, and SAS Soccer Park at www.townofcary.org.

 

 

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: 

Keith Jenkins, Facility Supervisor, (919) 858-0489
Chris Economides, Rochester Rhinos, (585) 454-5425
Doug Hicks, VP Communications, D.C. United, (202) 587-5000
Mary Henderson, PRCR Director (919) 469-4061
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951