El Tri of Mexico are looking to win their seventh match at their ‘home away from home’ – the AT & T Stadium, Arlington, Texas – when they host the Super Eagles of Nigeria in an international friendly match early Sunday morning, May 29 [Nigerian time], Completesports.com reports.
According to an information on the Mexico Football Federation [Federacion Mexicana de Futbol Asociacion], FMF website, the Mexican national team has played 11 matches at the AT&T Stadium Texas since their very first game at the venue in 2009.
AT & T Stadium is an imposing 80,000 capacity retractable roof edifice owned by the City of Arlington and managed by NFL side, Dallas Cowboys, being their home ground.
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El Tri have so far won six games, drew three and lost two at the stadium. And against Nigeria, they will be gunning for their seventh win from 12 games at the stadium touted as their ‘home away from home’ because of the 11 previous games and massive fanbase they boast in Nothern Texas.
Mexico who will face Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Poland in the Group C of Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup are currently 9th in the FIFA World Ranking, and up against 30th ranked Nigeria at the AT & T Stadium from 1:08am Sunday morning on May 29 [Nigerian time].
The last time Mexico played Nigeria was in a friendly in July 2021, which the Super Eagles B team lost 4-0 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
The FMF on Thursday signed an extended contract with the organisers of MexTour, the program that facilitates the El Tri’s annual tour of the USA for friendly matches at the AT & T Stadium.
“At the Mexican Soccer Federation we are proud and excited about this renewal through which we can strengthen our ties with our fans in the United States, and particularly in Dallas,” FMF President, Yon de Luisa, said of their contract extension until 2026.
“We thank the Dallas Cowboys, FC Dallas and the Dallas Sports Commission for their support in advancing this alliance that allows us to not only bring our National Team soccer games to Dallas, but also nurture the connection with our fans in the United States. United through cultural activities and social responsibility”.
Dallas Cowboys owner, President and General Manager, Jerry Jones is also excited with the Mexico’s El Tri’s connection with the AT & T Stadium for another four years.
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“This announcement is monumental for Dallas Cowboys fans, as many of our fans are also huge fans of the Mexican National Team,” Jones told the FMF website.
“The last four years have been incredible having Mexico play at AT&T Stadium – their home away from home – and we know that continuing this partnership only deepens our relationship not only with our fans in North Texas, but also in Mexico.”
FC Dallas President, Dan Hunt, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Mexican National Team for the next four years. The MexTour has been a tremendous success, particularly in North Texas.
“What makes this really impressive is that we are on the cusp of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Being able to share the Mexican National Team with the fans here in the United States is great for all of us.”
El Tri, coached by Argentine, Gerardo Martino, will also play international friendly matches against Uruguay (June 2) and Ecuador (June 5), preparatory to their upcoming 2022/23 CONCACAF Nations League (CNL) matches against Suriname and Jamaica on June 11 and 14 respectively.
The Super Eagles, led by new Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, will play another international friendly match against Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey on June 2, ahead of their 2023 AFCON qualifying games against Sierra Leone on June 9 in Abuja and away to Mauritius on June 13.
By Nnamdi Ezekute
