Red Bull New York announced today that the Red Bulls will face Mexico's Club Atlas de Guadalajara in a friendly on Tuesday, March 8 in a game called Red Bull Reto del Sol, or “Challenge of the Sun.” The game will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium, located in Glendale, AZ. Doors open 6:30 p.m. local time and game time is slated for 8:00 p.m. More information is available at www.redbullusa.com/retodelsol.
The Red Bull Reto del Sol match is especially notable as it will bring Designated Player and Mexican National Team standout Rafa Márquez up against the club where he first got his professional start. He made his debut with Atlas in 1996, appearing in 77 matches over three years for the club before leaving in 1999. Márquez spent the last seven seasons with storied Catalan side, FC Barcelona, and was part of the 2008-09 squad that won an unprecedented six championships. He has appeared in 10 regular-season games and both postseason matches for the Red Bulls, and this year will mark his first full season with the club.
“We are excited to wrap up the preseason with a match against Atlas," stated RBNY general manager Erik Solér. "Atlas is one of the top teams in Mexico and we are looking forward to play at the University of Phoenix Stadium again. This will be a good match for us as we prepare for the start of the MLS regular season.”
Tickets for the Red Bulls Reto del Sol match go on sale on Monday, February 7, 2011 and begin as low $15 dollars. Ticket can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling (800) 745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available at usual tienda locations in the Phoenix area and at the University of Phoenix Stadium box office in person or via phone at (602) 379-0102. For additional information please log on to www.universityofphoenixstadium.com.
The Red Bulls, who won the 2010 Eastern Conference regular season title, open their schedule on March 19 when they host Seattle Sounders FC at Red Bull Arena at 7:30 PM. Season tickets and partial plans are available now. For information, contact the Red Bulls at 1.877.RBSOCCER or CLICK HERE.
Atlas is one of the three top-flight Mexican clubs that play in the city of Guadalajara. The club was founded in 1916 and plays its home matches at Estadio Jalisco. They have won one top-flight league title in their history, which was back in 1950-51, but have won several other domestic crowns, including three second division titles, the most recent in 1978-79. Additionally, the club has been crowned Copa México champions four times, and took home Mexico's Campeón de Campeones competition four times. The squad is currently managed by former Mexican International Benjamin Galindo.
