PPL Park to host Ghana-Chile friendly Feb. 29
As the 29th is a FIFA international match date, both nations will be able to call up their biggest names if they want to.
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.