DENVER Colorado (March 19 2007)- The Colorado Rapids' preseason trip to Spain will conclude with an international friendly game against Valencia Club de Fútbol that will be played on Tuesday March 20 at the historic Mestalla Stadium in Valencia Spain.
The Rapids' preseason trip which was made possible by the efforts of the Rapids’ second year partners EUstudy Tours and its president Mr. Miguel Salazar along with the invitation from Valencia Club de Fútbol is the Coloradoteam’s second consecutive visit to Spanish territory in two years.
The Rapids arrived in Valencia on March 14 after a five-day stay in London where theytrained at Arsenal’s training complex. During their time in Spain the teamhas beentraining at the Valencia CF training grounds in the suburb of Paterna and haveplayed two friendly matches before facing the host side.
Senior management representatives from Valencia will also visit the Rapids’ new home Dick’s Sporting Goods Park as well as other stadiums in the United States in the next couple of weeks to gather ideas for their own new stadium.Valencia's "New Mestalla" stadium is in the planning stages and is set to replace the historic Mestalla in the next couple of years.
"It is a true honor to be able to play against Valencia in a friendly game at the Mestalla said Rapids Head Coach Fernando Clavijo. "It is an important game that will serve as a final tune-up before kicking off the 2007 season. It will also give us an opportunity to show again the quality of MLS soccer against a world class team."
Led by Head Coach Quique Sanchez Flores Valencia CF features players such as Spanish national team goalkeeper Cañizares Argentine star Roberto Ayala Spanish youth sensation David Silva as well as two of the top five scorers in current Spanish league tournament Spanish strikers David Villa and Fernando Morientes.
