South Florida to Host English National Team in Two Tune-Up Matches Prior to 2014 World Cup
By: Pedro Heizer
South Florida once again will play host to World Cup teams.
On Thursday morning, Relevent Sports announced that the English National Team will face Ecuador on Wednesday, June 4 and Honduras on Saturday, June 7 at Sun Life Stadium.
The match between Ecuador will be played at 3pm, and the one versus Honduras will be at 4:45pm.
The two matches will be part of England’s final preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup when they begin World Cup play on June 14th versus Italy in Manaus.
“We are excited to bring two more top-quality international matches to Miami,” said Relevent Sports CEO Charlie Stillitano. “Miami continues to be a premier soccer market in this country and we have no doubt that the area’s fans will come out to watch England prepare for the 2014 World Cup against two teams that will also participate in Brazil.”
England qualified for its 14th World Cup after finishing first in Group H of European Qualifiers. This will be the third time both Ecuador and Honduras have reached the World Cup.
England, coached by Roy Hodgson, is led by English Premier League stars Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool).
Sun Life Stadium is no stranger to high-level international soccer matches. On November 16 of the past year, 71,124 fans witnessed Brazil defeat Honduras 5-0 in a match that set an attendance record for soccer in Florida.
