MLS and Mexican teams named for 2009 SuperLiga

Major League Soccer and the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol have unveiled the participating teams, venues and schedule for the 2009 edition of SuperLiga. In its third edition, SuperLiga, begins on Saturday, June 20, and will award the winner one of the biggest purses in the region on August 5.

For the 2009 edition of SuperLiga, competitive criteria determined which four teams would represent their respective leagues. The top four MLS teams based on their 2008 regular season record, who are not competing in CONCACAF Champions League in 2009, qualified for SuperLiga 2009: Chicago Fire, New England Revolution, Chivas USA and Kansas City Wizards.

The invited FMF clubs, representing Mexico\'s Primera División was based on their record (highest number of points) in the 2008 Clausura and 2008 Apertura season, except those teams that qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League. For the FMF clubs who declined on the invitation, the next club in line based on points was invited. Therefore, the four participating Mexican clubs are: 2008 playoff contender San Luis, Santos Laguna led by national team star Oswaldo Sanchez, Tigres UNAL led by Lucas Lobos, and Atlas, the young and exciting club led by former Mexican national team coach Ricardo Lavolpe.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public Thursday, May 14 in some markets.

During the inaugural edition of SuperLiga, CF Pachuca defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy in a dramatic match decided by penalty kicks at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on August 30, 2007. In 2008, the all-MLS final saw the New England Revolution defeat the Houston Dynamo in another memorable set of penalty kicks at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

"SuperLiga continues to showcase the rivalry between MLS and Mexican league clubs, and we expect to see intense matches once again this summer," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "SuperLiga kicks off an incredible summer of soccer that includes the CONCACAF Gold Cup, World Cup qualifiers and MLS teams playing international clubs FC Barcelona, Chelsea and AC Milan."

"At FMF, we look forward to our clubs participating in SuperLiga and reclaiming the title," said FMF President Justino Compeán. "SuperLiga has been a complete success in its past editions, and in such an important soccer year, we expect nothing less for the 2009 version."

The entire tournament will once again broadcast live in primetime by TeleFutura Network in the United States. The semifinal and final information will be announced once teams are decided.

The SuperLiga field of teams is divided into two groups, each with two representatives from the respective leagues:

SUPERLIGA™ 2009 SCHEDULE*
(All Times Eastern) / * Subject to change

Saturday, June 20
Chicago Fire vs. San Luis (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, Ill) 20:00
Chivas USA vs. Tigres UANL (The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif.) 22:00

Sunday, June 21
Kansas City Wizards vs. Atlas (Venue TBD - St. Louis, Mo.) 16:30 [For tickets to this game in St.Louis, please call toll-free 877-828-7222]
NE Revolution vs. Santos Laguna (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Mass.) 18:30

Tuesday, June 23
Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, Ill.) 20:00
San Luis vs. Tigres UANL (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, Ill.) 22:00

Wednesday, June 24
NE Revolution vs. Kansas City Wizards (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Mass.) 19:00
Santos Laguna vs. Atlas (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Mass.) 21:00

Saturday, June 27
Chicago Fire vs. Tigres UANL (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, Ill.) 20:00
Chivas USA vs. San Luis (The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif.) 22:00

Sunday, June 28
NE Revolution vs. Atlas (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Mass.) 16:30
KC Wizards vs. Santos Laguna (CommunityAmerica Ballpark - Kansas City, Mo.) 18:30

Wednesday, July 15
Semifinal 1 (TBD)
Semifinal 2 (TBD)

Wednesday, August 5
Final (TBD)