Kickers to take on Mexican U21 Team

Expect heavy turnout for this one.

June 3, 2014; 8:50 AM • by Richard Hayes

City Stadium is taking on quite the international flair this summer as the Richmond Kickers announce another international friendly. This time the Kickers will take on the U21 Mexican National Team on July 1st at 7:30 PM. Be aware that this does conflict with the first round of 16 in another soccer event you might have heard of called the World Cup.

If (big if) I’m reading the FIFA schedule correctly those two game are earlier in the day at 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM. So theoretically you could spend pretty much all day watching international soccer. I know what I’m doing.

More from the press release.

The Richmond Kickers are pleased to host the Mexican U21 National Team in an international exhibition at City Stadium on Tuesday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. The historic match will showcase top young talent from Mexico’s top flight, Liga MX, as the team prepares for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. General admission tickets for $20 are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

“Our previous Mexico match-up produced an electric crowd that was one, if not the best, fan atmospheres we have ever experienced at City Stadium,” commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “This is another fantastic opportunity for our fans and players to sample the energy, passion and authentic soccer atmosphere this Word Cup style event will bring to RVA.”

The El Tri U-21s is comprised mainly of players from Liga MX powers including Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas), Club de Fútbol América S.A. de C.V. and Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club S.A. de C.V. The current U-21s will likely form the core of the squad Mexico sends to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Mexico is the reigning Olympic champion as they won their country’s first gold medal in soccer at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The match marks the second time in club history that the Kickers will face the Mexican Olympic National Team, having hosted an exhibition in April 2010 when the visitors posted a 3-1 win. Rain showers throughout the day did not deter nearly 4,000 eager fans that saw David Izazola claim an early lead for the Mexican side with a 22nd minute tally. Former Kickers midfielder Mike Burke notched the equalizer just after halftime, with the score remaining deadlocked until the waning minutes of the match. Two back-to-back goals during stoppage time by Isaac Acuna and Piccolo Rojo, respectively, broke the stalemate to finish the first of their three-game U.S. tour on top.

This year, Richmond will be the second stop on the Mexican U21 National Team’s 10-day U.S. tour, which also includes friendlies against San Antonio Scorpions on June 28 and Minnesota United on July 4.