Columbus Crew SC will face one of Spain’s top teams, Valencia CF, in this year’s International Friendly at MAPFRE Stadium on Wednesday, May 27. Here’s everything you need to know about the Spaniards.
Valencia finished the 2014-2015 La Liga season fourth with a record of 22-5-11, behind FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and has qualified for UEFA Champions League soccer next season. The club has shown repeatedly this season that it can compete with Europe’s best, having defeated both Madrid sides in La Liga play this year.
Los Che, as Valencia is also known, is the third most supported soccer club in Spain, behind Real and Barca, with more than 50,000 season ticket holders and another 20,000 plus on the waiting list. Currently playing at Mestalla Stadium, which seats 55,000, the club is planning to move into a new 75,000-seater called Nou Mestalla by its 100th anniversary.
Founded in 1919, Valencia has won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, the Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Cup, European Super Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup. In 2000 and 2001, Valencia reached the Champions League finals, losing both to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Among Valencia’s standout players are Spain international Alvaro Negredo, who is on loan from Manchester City, and the team’s top scorers Daniel Parejo and Paco Alcacer. Clubs legends include current New York City FC forward David Villa, goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and Argentine striker Claudio Lopez.
Here are the quick facts on Valencia:
Full name: Valencia Club de Fútbol, SAD
Nickname(s): Los Che
Els Taronges (The Oranges)
Los Murcielagos (The Bats)
Founded: March 18, 1919
Stadium: Mestalla Stadium (Capacity: 55,000)
Owner: Peter Lim
President: Amedeo Silva
Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo
Major Trophies: 6 La Liga Titles (Last: 2004)
7 Copa del Rey Trophies (Last: 2008)
1 Spanish Super Cup (1999)
1 UEFA Cups (2004)
2 European Super Cups (Last: 2005)
1 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1980)
Crew SC’s friendly against Valencia is classified as Special Match A for Full Season Ticket Members and is included in their membership.
Group tickets begin at just $16 and individual tickets are set to go on sale tomorrow, May 9 at 10 a.m. at the MAPFRE Stadium Box Office, all Central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, over the phone at 614-447-2739 and online viawww.ColumbusCrewSC.com. Full Season Ticket Members have the opportunity to purchase additional tickets in advance, beginning now with a special presale.
