Chicago Inferno Press Release
July 12, 2012
July 12, 2012
Chicago, IL - The Chicago Inferno Soccer Club, which
plays its home games at Wheaton College, announced today it will cap off a
successful first season in the Premier Development League (PDL) with prestigious
exhibition matches against the Philippine National Team and the U.S. Virgin
Islands National Team.
The Philippines, known as the “Azkals”, come to Wheaton’s Joe Bean stadium on August 11, while the U.S. Virgin Islands, nicknamed “The Dashing Eagle,” visit on August 14. Both games kick-off at 7:30 p.m.
The “international friendlies” will be played while both national teams are holding training camps in the Chicagoland area. The Philippines and U.S. Virgin Islands then will face one another in an August 17 international exhibition match in Indianapolis (7:30 p.m.).
The Inferno’s matches against the Philippines and U.S. Virgin Islands will mark just the second and third time in history a team from the PDL, a national summer league comprised of top collegiate players, has faced full national teams.
“It’s such an honor for our first-year club to host these friendlies against two up-and-coming soccer nations,” said Chicago Inferno President Todd Short, whose company Soccer Specific Development, LLC owns the Inferno franchise and is the exclusive U.S. promoter of the two national teams. “The matches give the Inferno a chance to play two competitive games, while increasing the visibility of the Inferno brand well beyond the Chicagoland area.
“These events fall in line with our commitment to bringing entertaining and affordable amateur soccer to the area. We look forward to the atmosphere that will be generated when Inferno fans, fans of these two countries and members of the local soccer community come together in celebration of the Global Game.”
Tim Holt, President of the PDL’s parent organization United Soccer Leagues (USL) called the friendlies “a fitting conclusion to a successful inaugural season for the Inferno.”
“In less than a calendar year, the Inferno has made a significant contribution to the Chicago soccer community, not only through its PDL performances, but by using its profile to bring unique soccer events such as these prestigious international exhibitions to the market,” Holt said.
The Philippines, which plays in the Asian Football Confederation, is using the U.S. training camp and friendly matches as preparation for November’s ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup, which will be co-hosted by Malaysia and Thailand. The Azkals reached the semifinals of the last Suzuki Cup in 2010.
Among the regular standouts for manager Dan Palami’s team are brothers James and Phil Younghusband, two of the nation’s most popular sportsmen, and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who plays professionally for Fulham of the English Premier League.
The U.S. Virgin Islands, which competes in CONCACAF, the same confederation as the United States and Mexico, is co-managed by Carlton Freeman and Terrence Jones.
Tickets for Chicago Inferno vs. Philippines and Philippines vs. U.S. Virgin Islands matches are $25, while tickets Chicago Inferno vs. U.S. Virgin Islands cost $20. Tickets are available on the Chicago Inferno web site at www.infernosc.com.
The Philippines, known as the “Azkals”, come to Wheaton’s Joe Bean stadium on August 11, while the U.S. Virgin Islands, nicknamed “The Dashing Eagle,” visit on August 14. Both games kick-off at 7:30 p.m.
The “international friendlies” will be played while both national teams are holding training camps in the Chicagoland area. The Philippines and U.S. Virgin Islands then will face one another in an August 17 international exhibition match in Indianapolis (7:30 p.m.).
The Inferno’s matches against the Philippines and U.S. Virgin Islands will mark just the second and third time in history a team from the PDL, a national summer league comprised of top collegiate players, has faced full national teams.
“It’s such an honor for our first-year club to host these friendlies against two up-and-coming soccer nations,” said Chicago Inferno President Todd Short, whose company Soccer Specific Development, LLC owns the Inferno franchise and is the exclusive U.S. promoter of the two national teams. “The matches give the Inferno a chance to play two competitive games, while increasing the visibility of the Inferno brand well beyond the Chicagoland area.
“These events fall in line with our commitment to bringing entertaining and affordable amateur soccer to the area. We look forward to the atmosphere that will be generated when Inferno fans, fans of these two countries and members of the local soccer community come together in celebration of the Global Game.”
Tim Holt, President of the PDL’s parent organization United Soccer Leagues (USL) called the friendlies “a fitting conclusion to a successful inaugural season for the Inferno.”
“In less than a calendar year, the Inferno has made a significant contribution to the Chicago soccer community, not only through its PDL performances, but by using its profile to bring unique soccer events such as these prestigious international exhibitions to the market,” Holt said.
The Philippines, which plays in the Asian Football Confederation, is using the U.S. training camp and friendly matches as preparation for November’s ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup, which will be co-hosted by Malaysia and Thailand. The Azkals reached the semifinals of the last Suzuki Cup in 2010.
Among the regular standouts for manager Dan Palami’s team are brothers James and Phil Younghusband, two of the nation’s most popular sportsmen, and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who plays professionally for Fulham of the English Premier League.
The U.S. Virgin Islands, which competes in CONCACAF, the same confederation as the United States and Mexico, is co-managed by Carlton Freeman and Terrence Jones.
Tickets for Chicago Inferno vs. Philippines and Philippines vs. U.S. Virgin Islands matches are $25, while tickets Chicago Inferno vs. U.S. Virgin Islands cost $20. Tickets are available on the Chicago Inferno web site at www.infernosc.com.
Chicago Inferno website
Chicago Inferno expect that Younghusbands and Etheridge will be there ? They will be disappointed
ReplyDeleteI know right. lol.
DeleteBut since they're cutting the camp short in the US, can't the national team management get the Younghusband's to go? Surely something could be worked out.