Men’s Soccer to Square Off Against Philadelphia Union
2/3/2014 2:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida men's soccer team is scheduled to play an exhibition match against the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer on Saturday, February 8th at 6:00 p.m. in Deltona, Fla.
The game will be part of the Union's annual Central Florida Preseason Training trip. For the first time in program history, the Ospreys will add an MLS team to their spring schedule. After the game on Saturday evening, the Union will go on to play in the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic on February 19th, 26th and March 1st. Teams slated to compete in the classic include Orlando City, Columbus and Toronto FC.
"Being in Florida gives us a tremendous opportunity to play against these professional clubs," said Head Coach Derek Marinatos. "It has been a goal of ours to set up a match with an MLS team, which not many other programs in the country get the chance to do."
The Union made a big splash this offseason, signing U.S. National Team midfielder Maurice Edu on a one-year loan from Stoke City FC of the Barclays Premier League. Edu was the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2007 after being selected No. 1 overall in the MLS SuperDraft.
Marinatos thinks the top-flight competition serves as great exposure for his current players and will help the Ospreys prepare for the 2014 season.
"I feel we have made strides as a program and for our players that have professional aspirations, this opportunity can show them where they need to get to and give them the opportunity to play in front of a professional organization," said Marinatos.
For more information on the game visit the Philadelphia Union website: www.philadelphiaunion.com or its preseason fan site: www.philadelphiaunion.com/events/Preseason
Game Details
Date: Saturday, February 8th, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Dewey O. Boster Field, Deltona, Fla.
Tickets: Open to the public
The game will be part of the Union's annual Central Florida Preseason Training trip. For the first time in program history, the Ospreys will add an MLS team to their spring schedule. After the game on Saturday evening, the Union will go on to play in the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic on February 19th, 26th and March 1st. Teams slated to compete in the classic include Orlando City, Columbus and Toronto FC.
"Being in Florida gives us a tremendous opportunity to play against these professional clubs," said Head Coach Derek Marinatos. "It has been a goal of ours to set up a match with an MLS team, which not many other programs in the country get the chance to do."
The Union made a big splash this offseason, signing U.S. National Team midfielder Maurice Edu on a one-year loan from Stoke City FC of the Barclays Premier League. Edu was the MLS Rookie of the Year in 2007 after being selected No. 1 overall in the MLS SuperDraft.
Marinatos thinks the top-flight competition serves as great exposure for his current players and will help the Ospreys prepare for the 2014 season.
"I feel we have made strides as a program and for our players that have professional aspirations, this opportunity can show them where they need to get to and give them the opportunity to play in front of a professional organization," said Marinatos.
For more information on the game visit the Philadelphia Union website: www.philadelphiaunion.com or its preseason fan site: www.philadelphiaunion.com/events/Preseason
Game Details
Date: Saturday, February 8th, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Dewey O. Boster Field, Deltona, Fla.
Tickets: Open to the public
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