Wednesday June 4, 2008

ATLANTA—International soccer returns to Atlanta this July when the Atlanta Silverbacks host three of Latin America's top teams at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.  The Silverbacks will face off against Mexican powerhouse and CONCACAF Champions Cup holders Pachuca C.F. on Wednesday, July 9, Argentinean super-club C.A. Independiente on Saturday, July 12, and the newly crowned Honduran champion C.D. Olimpia on Saturday, July 19.
 
Tickets for all three matches go on sale to the general public Friday, June 6. Silverbacks season ticket holders may purchase tickets beginning Wednesday, June 4. Tickets are available by calling 866-GO-BACKS, at the Atlanta Silverbacks north box office (Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m.), online at ticketlatino.us (877-528-4648), and at all 12 metro-Atlanta Discolandia locations.

Parking for each match is $10. Due to limited parking at Silverbacks Park, a free shuttle to and from the stadium will be provided from an offsite parking lot. On-site parking permits must be purchased in advance. Call 404-969-4919 for more information.

The July 9 fixture with Pachuca is part of the annual Copa Amistad Silverbacks (Silverbacks Friendship Cup). Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with food and interactive activities for all ages. Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m.

Following the tradition of recognizing marquee players with one final match, the July 19 match versus Olimpia will be a testimonial match for former Silverback and Olimpia great Alex Pineda-Chacon, who began his career at Olimpia at age 19, and remains one of Olimpia's most recognized players. Pineda-Chacon will appear for both teams in the match.

Pachuca is one of Mexico's oldest clubs, and the country's most successful in recent history. The Tuzos (Gophers) have won an incredible eight national and regional titles in the last six years, including three Mexican league titles (2003 Apertura, 2006 Clausura, 2007 Clausura), three CONCACAF Champions Cups (2002, 2007, 2008), the Copa Nissan Sudamericana (2006), and the inaugural SuperLiga (2007).  This December, as current CONCACAF Champions Cup holders, the Hidalgo-based club will take part in the Club World Cup in Japan, facing the top clubs in the world, including UEFA Champions League winners Manchester United. Pachuca competes regularly in the United States in CONCACAF, SuperLiga, and InterLiga competitions, but this will be the storied club's first appearance in Atlanta.

Club Atletico Independiente is Argentina's third-largest club, and historically one of the most successful. Since its founding in 1905, Independiente has captured 14 Argentinean league titles and 15 international competitions, including seven Copa Libertadores titles. Known as the Red Devils for its traditional all-red strip, the Avelleneda-based club currently sits in fifth place (29 points, 17 matches played) in the league's Clausura tournament with two games remaining.

Club Deportivo Olimpia is Honduras' oldest, most successful, and most widely-supported club, with 21 league crowns in its 96-year history—the latest coming this year. The Lions are the only Honduran club to win the coveted CONCACAF Champions Cup, doing so twice in 1972 and 1988. The match against the Silverbacks will be Olimpia's first in Atlanta although the Tegucigalpa-based club is no stranger to North American competition, most recently falling to MLS' D.C. United in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Pineda-Chacon made his professional debut for Olimpia in 1988, winning the league title, Central American Championship, and CONCACAF Champions Cup his first season as a professional. He played for Olimpia from 1988-1993, and again from 1995-2001, winning a second league championship in 1993 and picking up golden boot honors for his league-high 12 goals. In 1993, he transferred to Mexican club UA Tamaulipas, then went on to Sporting Cristal of Peru for the 1995 season, winning the league championship and appearing in four Copa Libertadores matches for Sporting. Over a 10-year span, Pineda-Chacon appeared for Honduras 42 times in international competition.  Following the 2001 season, he joined the MLS' Miami Fusion, where he earned league MVP and golden boot honors, tallying 19 goals and nine assists.  He spent 2002 with the New England Revolution and began the 2003 season with the Columbus Crew, appearing eight times, before a transfer to the Los Angeles Galaxy, where he appeared six times in the run-up to the club's MLS Cup win. Pineda-Chacon joined the Silverbacks in 2004 and spent three seasons as captain, making 77 appearances, tallying seven goals and seven assists before retiring at the close of the 2006 season as the most decorated player in Silverbacks history. He now serves as an assistant coach the Silverbacks.

Ticket Prices

Wednesday, July 9, 8:00 p.m.
Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Pachuca Club de Futbol
Sections 102-108, 302-308: $59.50
Sections 101, 109, 301, 309: $39.50
Parking: $10

Saturday, July 12, 8:00 p.m.
Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Club Atletico Independiente
Sections 102-108, 302-308: $49.50
Sections 101, 109, 301, 309: $29.50
Parking: $10

Saturday, July 19, 8:00 p.m.
Atlanta Silverbacks vs. Olimpia Club Deportivo
Sections 102-108, 302-308: $49.50
Sections 101, 109, 301, 309: $29.50
Parking: $10