Sounders Announce Two International Friendlies

One of the great spices in the mix that makes soccer fascinating is the sport’s intentional flavor. This flavor is enhanced by friendlies, conveying international competitive spirit.

The Seattle Sounders FC announced today two attractive international friendlies to be played at the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. They involved two nations with strong traditions of soccer success.

On May 26 the Sounders will face Argentina’s Boca Juniors. Supplying the opposition on July 18 will be Scotland’s Celtic.

"We promised our fans a diverse flavor of international soccer and are thrilled to bring Boca and Celtic to the Pacific Northwest," Sounders FC Owner and General Manager Adrian Hanauer said. "These two storied clubs have secured their place as elite franchises during the last century."

The two friendlies are part of the 18-match season-ticket holder package. A third match will be announced soon. Tickets will go on sale for Boca Juniors on Monday, May 3 at 10 a.m. Tickets will go on sale for Celtic on Tuesday, June 1 at 10 a.m.

Argentina is home nation to Diego Maradona, the co-player of the twentieth century who retired there in 1997. Boca Juniors is Argentina's most popular club, as well as the most successful on the international front.

Boca Juniors has achieved three world club championships and six Copa Libertadores (South America titles). It was founded in 1905 and named for the Buenos Aires neighborhood of La Boca. The players wear a distinctive all blue strip with a yellow panel across the chest.

The Boca club will be the first Argentine team to play in Seattle and the first South American team to visit the Emerald City since 1983.

Celtic will be making its fourth trip to Seattle and its third to Qwest Field. Winners of a record 34 Scottish cups and 42 league championships, the Glasgow club boasts a huge worldwide fan base.

Celtic team members are instantly recognizable for their green-and-white hooped jerseys. Celtic became the first British club to win a European championship in 1967.

It met the NASL Sounders in 1981 and returned to face Manchester United in 2003 and Chelsea in 2004.