New York Mets: Citi Field to Host Inaugural Soccer Match on June 7, 2011

Queens, NY—For one night, the baseball diamond New York Mets fans are accustomed to seeing will be converted into a soccer pitch.  Citi Field—the home of the Mets—for one special night will host their inaugural soccer friendly match between the national teams of Ecuador and Greece on Tuesday, June 7 at 8PM ET.

Currently ranked 12th in the world, Greece competed in the 2010 FIFA World Cup where they placed third in Group B after facing off against Argentina, South Korea and Nigeria. Despite finishing with a 1-2-0 record, Greek fans had every right to be proud of their team's accomplishments. 

Boasting one of the most loyal fans in South America, the 56th-ranked Ecuador team will be ready to give their fans a competitive match they deserve. With the game being in played Queens County, Ecuador may have the slight home advantage because the county has the largest population of Ecuadorians in the United States.

However, Astoria, Queens has the largest Greek population outside of Greece. With Queens being the melting-pot borough for South Americans and Greeks, Citi Field may be the most electrifying place to host a soccer match that evening.

With two teams representing their countries, fans of both nations will come out not only to support their national team, but to educate each other about their cultures. The diversity, the music, the food and the energy outside of Citi Field on match day may demonstrate once and for all why Queens would be the perfect location for a professional New York-market Major League Soccer franchise.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 9 at 10AM ET. New York Mets Season Ticket and Plan & Pack holders will have the opportunity to purchase their tickets on Friday, May 6, 2011.

For more information, please go online at www.507TIXX.com or by Phone to (718) 507-TIXX

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for LatinoSports.com. He's also a Columnist for 5 Points Press & USSoccerPlayers.com; your source for American Soccer news brought to you by members of the U.S. National Team. Easily accessible, you may reach Cesar at [e-mail] and at Twitter at @CoveringSoccer.