SEATTLE — Get set for an invasion by international superpowers.
No, it’s not some sort of clandestine military campaign. But it will involve some powerful foot skills, as well as an entourage toting some explosive noisemakers.
Major international soccer comes to the Puget Sound region tonight when Mexico and China square off at Qwest Field.
The two national teams face one another in a friendly international match beginning at 8 p.m. A full house is expected at Qwest Field, with supporters of both teams expected to be joined by curious members of the local soccer community.
“I think any time you can bring big international games to the city is a bonus and a plus,” said Gary Wright, the senior vice president of Seattle Sounders FC, which is serving as host for the event.
All of which begs the question: Just why are Mexico and China playing a game in Seattle?
For five years Soccer United Marketing has arranged for the Mexican national team to play a series of games in U.S. cities. Those games provide revenue for the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol, as well as promote the team before its fans who reside in the U.S.
“It’s very nice for us to come here and travel in the United States because we know we have a lot of fans here,” goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, the highest-profile player selected for the Mexico squad, said through interpretator Gabe Gabor following Tuesday’s morning practice at Qwest Field. “It’s nice to be able to perform in front of them.”
Soccer United Marketing also handles the marketing for MLS. Therefore, each of Mexico’s games take place at a location where an MLS team plays.
With the expansion Sounders scheduled to join MLS next season, Seattle was a natural choice for a venue for this year’s tour.
“We’re always courting big games,” Wright said. “At the same time, SUM and MLS know this is a vibrant soccer market. Our goal is to make Seattle the No. 1 soccer destination city in the country. I think by the evidence of the other games we’ve had — Manchester United-Celtic, Real Madrid-D.C. United — all at Qwest Field, we’re continuing to gain on that.”
Mexico will play four other games during its tour this year. The Mexicans face Argentina on June 4 in San Diego, then face Peru on June 8 in Chicago. Games on Sept. 24 and Nov. 12 are still to be determined.
As for tonight’s game, both teams are bringing inexperienced squads.
Mexico, currently ranked 16th in FIFA’s world rankings, named just two players — Sanchez and midfielder Luis Ernesto Perez — among its 20-player squad who have cracked double digits in international appearances. Head coach Jesus Ramirez, in his first game in charge, instead chose to go with up-and-coming players like forwards Cesar Villaluz and Juan Carlos Cacho, while stalwarts like defender and captain Rafael Marquez, midfielder Gerardo Torrado and forward Omar Bravo remained with their club teams.
“They might be young, but they’re world champions,” Sanchez said of his teammates. “they won the under-17 world cup, so we’re here to groom those players, get them to world-class level.”
China, ranked 82nd, is also going young. Head coach Vladimir Petrovic named a pair of veterans to his 22-player squad in midfielders Zhao Junzhe and Qu Bo. But European-based stars like midfielder and captain Zheng Zhi, midfielder Shao Jiayi, defender Sun Jihai and forward Fangzhuo Dong were left out.
As of Tuesday more than 48,000 tickets had been sold for the game. Much of that crowd is expected to consist of fans of the teams involved, particularly Mexico. The region contains a large hispanic population, many of whom have roots in soccer-mad Mexico.
“I think there will be a very large hispanic crowd,” Wright said. “The Mexican national team has a tremendous following, and this is an opportunity to see them play here.
“But I think there will be a large number from the local soccer community, too, especially with MLS coming,” Wright added. “This is a tremendous soccer region and it should be a fun night.”
Prior to the game will be a Futbol Fiesta, a pregame activity for the fans, which opens at 4 p.m. in the north parking lot of Qwest Field.
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