In an early evening announcement yesterday, the San Jose Earthquakes announced that the team’s regular season meeting with the Houston Dynamo has been moved up a day on the calendar to March 17 and will be played as part of a doubleheader at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The Earthquakes match will begin at 2 p.m. that Saturday afternoon with Mexico’s U-23s taking on the Senegalese U-23s at 4:30 p.m.
“This game is an exciting opportunity for our fans in San Francisco and the North Bay to see the club play at one of the premier sports venues in the country,” said Earthquakes President David Kaval in a prepared statement. “Soccer has a rich history in San Francisco and we look forward to adding to that legacy,”
The last time the Earthquakes played an MLS regular season game in San Francisco was a part of a doubleheader on August 8, 2009. San Jose was defeated 3-0 by the Columbus Crew in the opener and FC Barcelona and Chivas de Guadalajara played to a 1-1 draw in the nightcap. While the Earthquakes in the MLS era have played six games in San Francisco, the 2012 version marks the first time the club will feature at AT&T Park. The Earthquakes last played in San Francisco on March 17, 2010 at Kezar Stadium in a preseason match against the Dynamo that finished in a scoreless draw.
The match between the Mexico U-23s and Senegal U-23s will serve as a final tune-up match ahead of 2012 London Olympic qualifying for both squads. The CONCACAF tournament will run from March 22-April 2 with El Tri and the United States favored to advance out of the knockout round matches to be held at Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City.
To secure tickets for the March 17 doubleheader at AT&T Park, the following options are available: An exclusive Visa pre-sale for the doubleheader will begin Saturday, January 28 at 10 a.m. PT via www.sjearthquakes.com/visa. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. at www.sjearthquakes.com, www.Tickets.com, at the AT&T Park box office, Giants Dugout Stores or by calling 1-800-225-2277. Please note the AT&T Park box office is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Earthquakes Season Ticket Holders and group ticket buyers should contact the Earthquakes Front Office at 408-556-7700 to purchase tickets.
(Photo: Kelley L. Cox, centerlinesoccer.com)