Summer of Soccer: Cosmos to play legendary La Liga side Valencia … – Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The World Cup may not be until 2018, but there will be no shortage of competitive soccer matches this summer.

The New York Cosmos announced on Tuesday that the team will be traveling to Canada on July 22 to play six-time La Liga winner Valencia CF, one of the most revered clubs in Europe.

The game will be the first time in history that the two storied franchisees have gone head-to-head.

The preseason friendly is part of the Spanish clubs North American preseason tour.

The highly anticipated bout will take place in Regina, Canada. It will be the citys first-ever international soccer exhibition match and will be played at the new state-of-the-art Mosaic Stadium.

"It's a great privilege to play in the first soccer match in beautiful new Mosaic Stadium, said Cosmos Chief Operating Officer Erik Stover. It's a world-class venue and we're looking forward to the challenge of playing a world-class club like Valencia CF.

In addition to winning the Spanish league six times, Los Che have won the Copa del Rey seven times, the UEFA Europa League three times and the UEFA Super Cup twice.

Valencia CF is one of only two teams, besides Barcelona and Real Madrid, to have won the Spanish league in the last 15 years. They triumphed in the 20012002 and 20032004 seasons.

Valencias current squad is manned by Portuguese international and UEFA Euro 2016 winner Nani, the Brazilian expert penalty stopper Diego Alves and former Manchester City and France National Team defender Eliaquim Mangala.

It will be the first time that Valencia CF has played in Canada as the team attempts to spread its brand and become a globally recognized club like its more well-known opponents Barcelona and Real Madrid

This first visit of the team to Canada, with a growing interest for soccer and against a team with the history of the New York Cosmos, is an important event for the presence of Valencia in a strategic market like North America, Director General of Valencia Mateo Alemany said in Spanish.

The Cosmos are one of the most storied franchises in America, having been led by Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pel, who is undeniably regarded as the greatest athlete to ever play the Beautiful Game.

His outstanding ball control, superb tactical ability and unbelievable runs through entire teams were admired in both Brazil and the U.S. on the pro level, where his gifted feet graced the pitches of Yankee Stadium and Giants Stadium.

The eight-time North America Soccer League champions also boasted the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Girogio Chinaglia, Carlos Alberto, Marcos Senna and more recently, Raul.

Raul, who played for the Cosmos last season and who was the first-ever player to score in two Champions League finals, scored against Valencia CF in the 2000 Champions League finals.

Following the announcement of the match, the Brooklyn Eagle spoke with Javi Marquez and Ayoze, two Spaniards on the Cosmos who previously played in La Liga during their careers.

They articulated the significance of playing a historic club like Valencia CF.

We look forward to this historic match," Javi Marquez told the Eagle. "Valencia CF has a vast soccer history, both in Spain and in Europe, and it will definitely be a good test for us.

Playing against a European-renowned team is always positive, added Ayoze. The Cosmos have a tradition of playing international exhibition matches and we feel honored to be part of the inaugural soccer match of this beautiful stadium.

Across the Pond

Two months prior to the momentous match in Canada, the Cosmos will fly to Saudi Arabia for an international friendly against Al-Hilal FC.

The match will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at Al-Hilal FCs home ground, Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.

With the visit to Saudi Arabia, it will be the 48th nation that the Cosmos have visited, emphasizing the clubs established reputation as a global soccer ambassador.

The international friendly will be the Cosmos 128th contest played on foreign soil and the 187th international match, including those played in America.

Our club has had the good fortune to represent the United States during many memorable international matches, said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese. It is our hope that this historic visit to Saudi Arabia will unite people through the beautiful game of soccer.

Shortly after the U.S. restored diplomatic relations with Cuba, the Cosmos were the first American sports team to visit Havana in 16 years when they took on the Cuban National Team in June 2015. The Cosmos, led by Raul, triumphed 4-1.

More:

Summer of Soccer: Cosmos to play legendary La Liga side Valencia ... - Brooklyn Daily Eagle