FRISCO, Texas (March 16, 2011) – FC Dallas President and CEO Doug Quinn and his Tigres counterpart Alejandro Rodriguez Miechielsen are reviving the recently dormant partnership between their two clubs, beginning with a friendly at Tigres’ Estadio Universitario March 23 at 9:45 p.m. CT.
Spanish radio 1270 AM La Voz de la Pueblo will broadcast the game live from Monterrey with Carlos Alvarado calling all the action.
LEER: Renuevan FC Dallas y Tigres asociacion deportiva y comercial
The partnership between FC Dallas and Tigres Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon formally began in July 2006 with the creation of the Rio Grande Plate by FC Dallas founder Lamar Hunt. However, the partnership goes well beyond friendly rivalry, with far-reaching elements designed to help grow both clubs.
“Lamar Hunt was the ultimate American sports pioneer,” said Quinn. “Whether it was soccer, football or tennis, his vision transformed the landscape of professional sports in this country. We are proud to continue upholding his legacy with a partnership he had the foresight to create five years ago. It’s a relationship we know will be beneficial in a variety of ways to both organizations for many years to come.”
The relationship could provide first team preseason training sites for both clubs, as well as player exchange opportunities. Perhaps more important is the opportunity to share ideas and improve coaching and player development on the youth side for both clubs, as Tigres and FC Dallas plan youth coach education and exchange programs, as well as frequent youth development mini tournaments and exhibition matches.
“Club Tigres is honored to have established this fellowship with FC Dallas, not only because it is a great team, among the best in the U.S., but because it gives our academy and first team players the opportunity to live the international experience,” said Rodriguez.
The two sides will meet at Pizza Hut Park on Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. CT in the second leg of the friendly series. FC Dallas won the Rio Grande Plate first edition and the UANL side won the second and third editions. The 2011 resurgence is the fourth time the series will be played between the two clubs.