Encore: Portugal Back at Gillette vs. Mexico on 6/6
- Updated: February 14, 2014
Photo credit: Chris Aduama
Less than a year after drawing one of the biggest soccer crowds seen in New England, Portugal will return to Foxboro on Jun. 6 to play Mexico in a pre-World Cup friendly at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:30pm.
Both sides are expected to field their first-choice players with the World Cup kicking off six days later. Portugal, ranked fourth in the latest FIFA rankings, features Ballon D’or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, while Mexico, ranked 21st, is expected to bring CONCACAF superstar Chicharito on board for the friendly.
“With both of these teams leaving directly for Brazil after this series of matches, we’re very excited to be able to present this unique opportunity to fans of this region,” New England Revolution president Brian Bilello said in a statement on Friday. “The chance to see two World Cup-bound squads – and some of the world’s top players – means this will be a truly memorable event for everyone in attendance.”
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10am on Feb. 24.
News of A Seleccao’s return to the region was first broke earlier this month when a Mexico spokesman said that the clash was “95 percent” confirmed.
Last September, Portugal squared off against Brazil in a friendly at Gillette Stadium before 62,310 fans – a game which the Canaries won 3-1. Ronaldo was scheduled to feature for Portugal, but was called back to Real Madrid prior to the friendly. The Sept. 10, 2013 friendly marked the first time that Portugal had played in New England since a 1992 U.S. Cup clash with Italy at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Conn.
Four days after their clash with Mexico, Portugal will play its final pre-World Cup friendly versus Republic of Ireland on Jun. 10 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Mexico last played in the area in 2007, when they, too, played Brazil and suffered a 3-1 loss to a side that featured Kaka, Ronaldinho and Alexander Pato.
Related Posts
About Brian O'Connell
