Posted: Friday, February 17, 2012, 1:32 PM | 1 comments |
 
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PPL Park will host an international friendly between Ghana and Chile on Wednesday, February 29 at 7 p.m., the Union announced today.

That is the same day as the United States's friendly against Italy in Genoa, and the U.S. Under-23's friendly against Mexico in Frisco, Texas.

The 29th is a FIFA international match window, which means, clubs are required to release their players for national team games on that date. So it is likely that we will see some major stars at PPL Park.  

A spokesperson for the Union confirmed the participation of the following players, many of whom you have probably heard of:

Ghana: Michael Essien (Chelsea), Asamoah Gyan (on loan from Sunderland to United Arab Emirates club Al Ain), John Mensah (Lyon)

Chile: Alexis Sánchez (Barcelona), Humberto Suazo (Monterrey), Matías Fernández (Sporting Lisbon), Eduardo Vargas (Napoli)

Tickets are not cheap. End line seats range from $40 to $60, sideline seats range from $55 to $75 and midfield seats range from $70 to $90.

I suspect one reason for that is the number of promotional groups involved. In addition to the two national federations, you have the Union, the Eagles, ComcastTix, and the marketing firm which helped organize the game.

I've heard rumors and reports that the match was originally supposed to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., or at least somewhere in the New York area. Any such venue would have a larger capacity, and thus would probably have lower ticket prices in order to reach some revenue goal.

With that said, if you are able to go, this should be a fun game. Both teams play entertaining soccer and there could be quite a few goals scored.

Posted by Jonathan Tannenwald @ 1:32 PM  Permalink | File Under: Africa | | Philadelphia Union | | South America | 1 comment
1
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:51 AM, 02/29/2012
    just to much $$$ for a friendly game on a winter night
    PhillyUnionFan


1 comments
About Jonathan Tannenwald
The Goalkeeper is your home for the latest news about the Philadelphia Union, Philadelphia Independence, U.S. national teams and the rest of the world's most popular sport. It's also a place for fans to gather and celebrate the culture of soccer and its unique place on the sports landscape.

Jonathan Tannenwald is a sports producer for Philly.com. He became a soccer fan while watching the 1998 World Cup at a bar in Avignon, France, and he's been writing about the sport ever since.

He also writes Philly.com's college sports blog, Soft Pretzel Logic.

Email him by clicking here.

You'll also see occasional contributions from Inquirer soccer writer Marc Narducci and Daily News soccer writer Kerith Gabriel.
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