![]() ![]() The matches held in Orlando were originally scheduled to be played in March, when the tournament was abruptly shut down. LAFC and Cruz Azul will play a single-elimination match after their first match was canceled earlier this year. ![]() However, the pandemic disrupted the competition earlier this year.ĬD Olimpia, Montreal Impact, Atlanta United FC, Club América, Tigres and NYCFC will play out the second leg of their series after playing the first round in the spring. Play typically begins in February with a championship match slated in late April or early May. We've said if we have the right owner and the right city, that's where we need to go," he said.Each year, the tournament includes a combination of North American, Caribbean club and Central American clubs who qualify through competitions within their own leagues. "We're pretty confident that it's going to work out. ![]() Though Peterson can't make promises, the city's prospects look bright. The NASL is scheduled to hold a July 25 board meeting in Dallas, in which league members are expected to vote on candidates for admission. "We think Jacksonville is a great potential market for the league." "So far through the process, everything has checked out very positive here," he said. Peterson, who has a home in Ponte Vedra Beach, said that market size, fan enthusiasm, and a viable ownership group were strengths in the city's bid. The NASL, one level below the MLS, is exploring expansion candidates for the 2015 season. With an official crowd of 4,273 - and one very important guest - Frisch has reason for encouragement.Īmong those on hand was Bill Peterson, commissioner of the North American Soccer League. "We're going to try to attract the best teams in the world to come play here in Jacksonville," Frisch said.įrisch added that the group was scouting prospective clubs from the MLS, Mexico, and Europe and expressed interest in attracting a foreign national team to train here in preparation for next summer's World Cup in Brazil. ![]() He hopes to organize several additional matches within the next eight months. The game was another step in the growth process for Mark Frisch, chief executive officer of the Sunshine Soccer Group. Gimenez scored Cruz Azul's lone goal with a penalty kick after 80 minutes. Salcido, a veteran of over 100 international games for Mexico, sealed the victory for Tigres with a 30-yard volley after Edgar Gerardo Lugo set him up with a run down the left wing. Tigres finally broke through after 60 minutes, when Villa's attempted shot from the corner of the box was deflected home by Viniegra.Ĭruz Azul increased the tempo to claw back into the game, but Tigres goalkeeper Enrique Palos lunged into action again to deny Jesus Lara and Sergio Napoles in rapid succession. The half ended in a spectacular close call as Lobos came close with a bicycle kick that flew just inches high. Lucas Lobos struck the goalpost, and Emanuel Villa shot narrowly wide in a wild 20-second span.Ĭhristian Gimenez conducted most of Cruz Azul's play in a fast-paced but messy first half, smacking the crossbar with a 15th-minute header. Monterrey-based Tigres, the top regular-season team in the recently completed Clausura tournament, controlled the early action. Midfielder Manuel Viniegra gave Tigres the lead, and Carlos Salcido blasted home a long-range clincher as Tigres topped Cruz Azul 2-1 at EverBank Field on Wednesday night. Off the field, Jacksonville took one more step toward securing many more soccer nights in the years to come. Just one night before America celebrates its independence, Tigres and Cruz Azul treated fans to some fireworks, Mexican style. ![]()
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