Cosmos Celebrating/Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports
The New York Cosmos announced on Friday that the club will travel to El Salvador as part of its preseason schedule to play against C.D. FAS on March 14. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. local time at Cuscatlán Stadium in San Salvador.
The game against FAS also marks the beginning of a collaborative partnership between the Cosmos and Fundación Educando a un Salvadoreño (FESA) on what is expected to be an array of sporting and social community projects.
“We’ve had great support so far from the El Salvador community in New York,” said Cosmos Head Coach Giovanni Savarese. “This preseason trip is going to be a great challenge for the squad on the field against FAS and off the field, a chance to establish a mutually beneficial strategic alliance with FESA.”
Based in Santa Ana, FAS is one of the most successful professional soccer clubs in El Salvador. The team has won 17 championships in the Primera División of El Salvador, the most of any team, since its establishment in 1947. FAS has qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League three of the last four seasons.
“One of our objectives is to be the bridge between the Salvadorean community and the Cosmos organization,” said FESA President Jorge Bahaia. “We believe this is a long-term relationship that can benefit both organizations.
“All proceeds from the Cosmos game against FAS will be used to fund scholarships and continue to build the FESA High School.”
Cuscatlán Stadium opened in 1976. It is the regular playing venue of El Salvador’s national team and two Primera División clubs: Alianza FC and Atlético Marte. The stadium also hosted 2014 World Cup qualifying matches.
This will be the modern Cosmos’ first visit to Central America. The club will travel to El Salvador after the 2015 Lunar New Year AET Cup game against South China Football Team in Hong Kong on Feb. 19.
“Obviously it’s very exciting for me to be heading back home and playing there in a friendly with the Cosmos,” said Cosmos midfielder Andrés Flores. “The game is for a great cause and hopefully we can also put on a good show for the fans in El Salvador.”
The Cosmos’ 2015 North American Soccer League Season begins Saturday, April 4 on the road against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. New Spanish striker Raúl González Blanco will make his home debut against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, April 18.
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