Sporting Kansas City is one of six MLS teams slated to take part in the 2015 FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, the club announced on Friday. The Colorado Rapids, Montreal Impact, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC round out the group which will take the field from Wednesday, Feb. 18 through Saturday, Feb. 28. All matches will be hosted at the brand new North Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona.
The 2015 preseason will mark the fifth straight year in which Sporting Kansas City travels to Tucson for training and competition. In the tournament's inaugural edition, Sporting KC were crowned champions of the 2011 Desert Diamond Cup with more than 10,000 fans in attendance for the team's 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls.
Now in its fifth year, the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup has become a highly anticipated event for soccer fans throughout the region and a popular travel destination for MLS supporters nationwide. Soccer fans will have the opportunity to see stars from the U.S. Men’s National Team coming off a memorable run at this year’s World Cup in Brazil, including Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake) and Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).
Attendees will also experience an exciting twist on the game atmosphere. To create a concert-like festival atmosphere, FC Tucson will host games consecutively at the Kino North Stadium and North Grandstand starting at 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. MT. Then, a third Showcase match will kick off at 8:00 p.m. MT back at the Kino North Stadium.
“We are always seeking to improve the experience for our local and out of town guests and ensure a great atmosphere for the MLS teams,” said FC Tucson ownership in a joint statement. “The idea of an open festival where attendees can move between games and participate in a wide variety of other experiences makes this year’s MLS preseason even more unique and memorable for soccer fans.”
2015 FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup Schedule(All times local, subject to change)
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Game #1, 5:30 p.m.: Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City, Kino North Stadium
Game #2, 6:00 p.m.: Real Salt Lake vs. New England Revolution, Kino North Grand Stand
Game #3, 8:00 p.m.: Seattle Sounder vs. Montreal Impact, Kino North Stadium
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Game #4, 5:30 p.m.: Colorado Rapids vs. New England Revolution, Kino North Stadium
Game #5, 6:00 p.m.: Real Salt vs. Montreal Impact, Kino North Grand Stand
Game #6, 8:00 p.m.: Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting Kansas City, Kino North Stadium
Wednesday, February 25, 2015*
Game #7, 5:30 p.m.: Colorado Rapids vs. Montreal Impact, Kino North Stadium
Game #8, 6:00 p.m.: Seattle vs. New England Revolution, Kino North Grand Stand
Game #9, 8:00 p.m.: Real Salt Lake v. Sporting Kansas City, Kino North Stadium
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Game #10, Time TBD: 5th Place v. 6th Place, Kino North Stadium
Game #11, Time TBD: 3rd Place v. 4th place, Kino North Grand Stand
Game #12, Time TBD: 1st Place v. 2nd Place, Kino North Stadium
Schedule subject to CONCACAF Champions League calendar
Ticket & Travel Information:
General admission tickets for the 2015 FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup have been priced at only $18 which will allow fans to enjoy all three games each evening. More information can be found at www.shop.fctucson.com. Out of town guests are invited to learn more about Tucson through the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau website at www.visittucson.com.
