Roar to take on star studded LA Galaxy at Suncorp Stadium

Check out this media release I just received by email. Bring it on!!

It is for Thursday PM - 11 December 2008


Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
16/10/2008

Spence: Roar to take on star studded LA Galaxy at Suncorp Stadium

Sport Minister Judy Spence today announced the LA Galaxy will play the Queensland Roar in an "international club friendly" at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday 11 December.
Ms Spence said: "This international club match is a major coup, not only for Brisbane football fans but for followers of the game throughout Queensland and Australia.
"The Bligh Government has worked with the LA Galaxy to bring the US team, featuring international superstars David Beckham and Landon Donovan, down under at the end of their 2008 Major League Soccer season, and I know soccer fans will be very excited about this announcement.
"Fellow US Internationals including Edson Buddle and Eddie Lewis also feature in the star-studded group that will make their way to Australia.
"David Beckham is football royalty and having the LA Galaxy here in Brisbane for five days will provide invaluable exposure for Queensland and our world-class Suncorp Stadium to an international audience o f millions. "This event will provide Queensland Roar players with a wonderful opportunity to test their skills against some of soccer's best international players.

"Both teams have indicated their intention to play hard and entertain at every opportunity during the friendly match - which is great news for the fans and for the Roar's long-term plans to grow the sport of football in Queensland.
"The Bligh Government has worked closely with the FFA to secure this match in Queensland and I thank the Federation for their cooperation in scheduling the game within a very busy domestic and international season."

FFA CEO, Ben Buckley, said that regular competition fixtures were full with the Hyundai A-League, the National Youth League, the Westfield W-League and the Qantas Socceroos. "However, Queensland Roar are keen to have this friendly club challenge with LA Galaxy proceed and we're pleased to support them.
"It should be a good game - not only because of LA Galaxy's players but with Qantas Socceroo, Craig Moore, as well as Danny Tiatto, Charlie Miller, Under 20s national captain Luke DeVere and others all lining up for Queensland Roar."

Ms Spence said the match is anticipated to be a sell-out, after more than 80,000 fans flocked to the game between the Galaxy and Sydney Football Club in November last year.
"With support for the Queensland Roar continuing to grow, and with David Beckham's mega-star pull, tickets are expected to sell quickly."
Tickets for the game go on public sale on Thursday 30 October and will be available through all Ticketek outlets.
The LA Galaxy will fly into Brisbane on Sunday 7 December, the day after their game against an Oceania All Stars Invitational Team in Auckland, in preparation for Thursday's game. Details of LA Galaxy's training and public appearances will be announced in the lead up to the event.

Media Contacts:
Minister's Office: 3239 6218
Greg Adermann, Group Communications Manager, AEG Ogden (owner of LA Galaxy): 0419 729 972
16 October 2008

For more information about the LA Galaxy, please visit the club's official website: www.lagalaxy.com

BACKGROUND:
LA GALAXY One of Major League Soccer (MLS) original clubs, the Los Angeles Galaxy were founded on June 15, 1994 and began play in the inaugural season of MLS in 1996. The club plays all of their home games at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., which is one of the best soccer stadiums in the United States.

The Galaxy are one of the premier teams in MLS featuring many top national and international stars and boasting five championships in club history, including the MLS Cup (2002, 2005), U.S. Open Cup (2001, 2005) and CONCACAF Champions' Cup (2000). The Galaxy are led by General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena, one of the most successful coaches in U S football history and a two-time MLS Champion Cup winner. He led the U.S. National Team twice to the FIFA World Cup including a historic quarter-final berth in 2002 where the team lost to the eventual runners ups, Germany.

On the field, the Galaxy feature a host of international stars, including David Beckham, a veteran of three FIFA World Cups with the England National Team. Beckham joined the Galaxy in 2007 after successful spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid. He is joined by Landon Donovan, the all-time leading scorer in United States National Team history and one of the best players the country has ever produced. He leads Major League Soccer in goals this year and ranks in the top 10 all-time in goals scored in the league.