FC Tucson Announces The 2012 FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup Participants

Tucson, AZ (Thursday, December 8, 2011) – FC Tucson announced today that the 2nd Annual FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, which will be played at Kino Veteran Memorial Stadium from February 22nd to March 3rd, will feature four Major League Soccer teams: the New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, the New York Red Bulls and the LA Galaxy.

The event will feature four double-header matches on Wednesday and Saturday nights during a two-week span from February 22nd through March 3rd. The round-robin tournament will crown a champion on the final evening through a point accumulation system. All teams will make their final preparations for the 2012 MLS regular season by training on the world-class fields and facilities of the Kino Sports Complex.

“FC Tucson is proud to host these four legendary MLS teams to compete in this year’s FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup,” FC Tucson Managing Partner Chris Keeney said. “These highly successful franchises have visionary owners, tremendous athletes, and passionate fan bases. We look forward to welcoming them to Tucson to train, compete and enjoy our world-class amenities. This tournament will be a celebration for soccer fans throughout the great state of Arizona, Northern Mexico and all across the United States.”

The LA Galaxy are the most successful MLS franchise led by former U.S. Men’s National Team manager Bruce Arena and feature international superstars David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. The Galaxy finished the 2011 season winning their second-consecutive Supporters Shield by finishing with the best overall regular season record and went on to win the 2011 MLS Cup, American soccer’s equivalent to the Super Bowl. It was the Galaxy’s record-breaking seventh appearance in the MLS Cup final. The Galaxy is one of the ten MLS charter clubs and has won three MLS Cups, two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups and one CONCACAF Championship.

"The LA Galaxy are excited to participate in the 2nd annual FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup,” LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena said. “Tucson is an outstanding venue for our pre-season as we prepare for the CONCACAF Champion's League and the MLS regular season. We look forward to the outstanding weather, facilities and hospitality that Tucson has to offer and look forward a challenging competition."

The New York Red Bulls are managed by Hans Backe and feature French striker and World Cup winner Thierry Henry, who finished third in scoring during the 2011 MLS season, Mexican superstar Rafa Marquez and U.S. Men’s National Team member Juan Agudelo. The Red Bulls, the 2010 Eastern Conference regular season champion, qualified for the MLS playoffs in 2011. It was the eighth time in nine seasons that the club had reached the postseason. New York, which has the top soccer stadium in North America, Red Bull Arena, is a founding member of MLS and has played in one MLS Cup final and one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.

“We are excited to compete in the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup after enjoying our time in Arizona last season,” Red Bulls General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler said. “We will be facing some top MLS teams and expect that this will be good preparation for our 2012 MLS campaign.”

Real Salt Lake is managed by former MLS star Jason Kreis and is led by two-time MLS All-Star (2009, 2010) midfielder Javier Morales, 2009 MLS Cup MVP goalkeeper Nick Rimando and Tucson’s own Donny Toia, who was Real Salt Lake’s first homegrown academy signing. Despite devastating injuries and constant national team call-ups, Real Salt Lake finished the 2011 MLS season third in the league's overall standings and reached the Western Conference Championship, where it bowed out to eventual MLS Cup winner LA Galaxy. Real Salt Lake joined Major League Soccer in 2005, won its first MLS Cup title in 2009 and qualified for its first CONCACAF Champions League for the 2010-11 competition. Real Salt Lake helped MLS break new ground in the regional club competition by becoming the first American team to win a group stage and advance to the Championship Round since its reformatting in 2008-09, eventually dropping a heartbreaking 2-3 aggregate result to Mexican side Monterrey in the Finals.

“Real Salt Lake is honored to be one of the invitees in the expanded FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup tournament, a competition that should provide an outstanding opportunity for our squad to wrap up the 2012 preseason,” Real Salt Lake General Manager Garth Lagerwey said. “The strong field assembled will ensure a solid test from a competition standpoint and should spark interest from our fans, who we hope will make the trip to Tucson to grow the tournament and get a sneak peek at their Claret-and-Cobalt in advance of the MLS regular season."

The New England Revolution are managed by former Revolution player Jay Heaps, who was the 1999 MLS Rookie of the Year, and features U.S. Men’s National Team member Benny Feilhaber, team-leading scorer and Grenada National Team member Shalrie Joseph and 16-year old phenom Diego Fagundez. The New England Revolution is a founding member of MLS and won the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the 2008 North American SuperLiga and reached four MLS Cup finals.

“We’re looking forward to coming to Tucson for the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup,” Revolution head coach Jay Heaps said. “We believe the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup will be one of the premier preseason tournaments and we’re looking forward to facing the Galaxy, Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake in Tucson. Our preseason training program will be intense leading up to this final trip, and the tournament will be a tremendous final preparation for us just before we start the season in early March.”

Schedule of Matches:

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

6:00 PM New England Revolution vs. LA Galaxy

8:00 PM New York Red Bulls vs. Real Salt Lake

Saturday, February 25th, 2012

6:00 PM LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake

8:00 PM New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

6:00 PM Real Salt Lake vs. New England Revolution

8:00 PM LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls

Saturday, March 3rd, 2011

6:00 PM MLS 3rd Place vs. MLS 4th Place

8:00 PM MLS 1st Place vs. MLS 2nd Place

*All game dates and times are subject to change

“Fantastic 4” Plans, which include seats to all 4 double-header events, will go on sale on Monday, December 12th at Noon at www.ticketreturn.com. Fans interested in group sales of 20 or more, suites or corporate hospitality can call 520-335-1115.

Prices for the matches are as follows:

$75 VIP Center Field

$40 Premium

$30 Sideline

$20 Endline

Fans can purchase “Fantastic Four” Plans to lock up their favorite seat for all four dates (eight games) and receive a discount on each ticket. Prices for these special packages start at just $72 or $9 per match. Visit www.fctucson.com to order seats and print tickets at home in time for the holidays. You can also visit www.fctucson.com or FC Tucson’s Facebook page to find a pricing map of the stadium.

About FC Tucson

FC Tucson, established in 2010, is committed to bringing the highest caliber of competitive soccer to Tucson and establishing a successful and long-lasting source of pride for city, county, state and country. FC Tucson owns FC Tucson Soccer, Tucson’s top-level soccer team and the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, a Major League Soccer pre-season tournament. Our owners, coaches, players and staff will play to win in sport, business and community connection. We recognize that our quality, commitment and passion for the game will guide our success and establish deep bonds with our stakeholders as we strive to be recognized and respected locally, nationally and internationally.

About LA Galaxy

One of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) original clubs, the LA Galaxy were founded on June 15, 1994 and play all of the club’s home games at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University - Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. Boasting a host of top national and international stars, the Galaxy are one of the premier teams in MLS history, having won the MLS Cup in 2002, 2005 and 2011, while also claiming the U.S. Open Cup title in 2001 and 2005 and the 2000 CONCACAF Champions’ Cup. For more information or to order tickets, please call the Galaxy ticket office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY or visit the club’s official website at www.lagalaxy.com.

About New England Revolution

The New England Revolution is the Northeast region's premier professional soccer team, owned and operated by the Kraft Family, which also owns the New England Patriots. The Revolution is based at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., where the club plays its home games and where its executive offices are located. A founding member of the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer in 1996, the Revolution has played in the MLS Cup championship match four times in the last decade - including three straight from 2005 to 2007 - while advancing to the Eastern Conference Championship game in an MLS-record six straight years (2002-07). The Revolution also won the 2007 U.S. Open Cup and the 2008 SuperLiga title. The team's roster includes such stars as Benny Feilhaber, Shalrie Joseph, Matt Reis, and the up-and-coming talent, Diego Fagundez, just 16 years old, In addition to players from New England, the U.S. as well as Argentina, Denmark, France, Gambia and Zimbabwe. For more information, visit revolutionsoccer.net, or interact with the Revolution on Facebook (facebook.com/nerevolution) or Twitter (@NERevolution).

About New York Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls was a founding member of MLS in 1996 and is part of the Red Bull Energy Drink empire. The Red Bulls play their home games at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. The Red Bulls have played in one MLS Final and one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final. The New York franchise has hosted past stars including Tony Meola, Tab Ramos and Alexi Lalas and current starts like Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and Juan Agudelo.

About Real Salt Lake

In July of 2004, Utah native and sports business visionary Dave Checketts announced that the dream of bringing world-class soccer to the Beehive State had come to fruition, as Major League Soccer’s 12th franchise – later known as Real Salt Lake – was born. Since its inception, RSL has steadily grown to become a perennial contender for domestic and international trophies, all while cultivating a vibrant and knowledgeable soccer culture in the Intermountain West. Real Salt Lake’s on-field accolades include the squad’s first MLS Cup title in 2009 – the first championship for a Utah-based professional team in nearly 40 years – and a groundbreaking run to the Finals of the 2010/11 CONCACAF Champions League, North America’s club championship tournament. RSL continues to impress off the field as well, garnering the Salt Lake Chamber’s prestigious “President’s Award” for excellence in small business in 2010 and regularly filling the club’s gleaming, 20,000-seat home of Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.

About Kino Sports Complex

The Kino Sports Complex is the largest professional sports venue of its kind in Pima County. It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 12 baseball fields (five with lights) and lighted softball and soccer fields. With its panoramic view of the Santa Catalina Mountains, it is a natural fit for youth, amateur collegiate and professional sports. To learn more, go to www.kinosportscomplex.com.

For more information on this event, please contact FC Tucson at 832-457-4845.

Chris Keeney, chris@fctucson.com, (832) 457‐4845

H. Jose Bosch, jbosch@fctucson.com, (540) 435‐6097