---

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Major League Soccer will make an historic appearance in San Luis Obispo the week of February 18 as the San Jose Earthquakes travel to the Central Coast to train for a week and host a pair of exhibition matches at Cal Poly’s Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

The Earthquakes will call San Luis Obispo their home for matches against the Columbus Crew on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. and D.C. United on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. as part of the “MLS Central Coast Showcase.” The event, hosted by Cal Poly Athletics, will also feature intra-squad scrimmages by the Mustangs’ men’s soccer team two hours prior to both matches.

“Hosting a sporting event with teams and players of MLS caliber and talent is truly an historic event for the Central Coast community,” Cal Poly men’s soccer coach Paul Holocher said. “There are world-class soccer players on these three teams and players that will go down as some of the best to ever play on American soil.”

San Jose comes to San Luis Obispo as an expansion franchise returning to Major League Soccer action after a two-year hiatus. The Earthquakes were an MLS powerhouse from 2000 until the team moved to Houston in 2005. Headlining the Earthquakes’ roster is two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year winner Joe Cannon.

D.C. United is one of the most storied franchises in MLS history with four MLS Cups, four MLS Supporters Shields and one U.S. Open Cup. The Supporters Shield is given to the team with the most points at the conclusion of the regular season.

United is chockfull of talent, foreign and domestic. Recently United signed Argentinean Marcelo Gallardo, a veteran of two World Cups for the Albicelestes. The team also boasts Bolivian Jaime Moreno, the all-time leading goal scorer in MLS history (112). Moreno is also a two-time World Cup veteran. Further adding to the South American flavor of United are a pair of Brazilians, Fred and 2007 MLS Golden Boot winner Luciano Emilio.

United’s talent isn’t limited to the foreign quantity. Midfielder Ben Olsen played on the 2006 U.S. World Cup team and the 2000 Olympic squad. Olsen was named MLS MVP in 1999 and was the MLS Rookie of the Year one-year prior.

The Crew are winners of one MLS Supporters Shield and one U.S. Open Cup. Among the elite domestic names for the Crew are Frankie Hedjuk, Brad Evans, Eddie Gaven and Robbie Rogers. Most notably, Hedjuk is the only American to see action in both the 1998 and 2002 World Cups as well as the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. The defender from Cardiff, Calif. was selected to the U.S. 2006 World Cup roster, but couldn’t compete due to a torn ACL. Evans is former Big West Player of the year at UC Irvine while Gaven and Rogers both compete for the U.S. Under-23 team.

Aside from Evans, another familiar face may suit up for the Crew. Reigning Big West Defender of the Year winner and former UC Santa Barbara Gaucho, Andy Iro, was a first round selection by Columbus in the MLS SuperDraft on January 18.

“The Central Coast, our kids, and our growing soccer community have the unique opportunity to watch these players up close and live,” Holocher said. “I think that all sports fans, not just soccer fans, will be excited to see this great level of play on this special weekend. Major League Soccer is truly an entertaining league.

“I am truly excited for all the youth soccer players in our community as most have never seen a live MLS game, and you will never get closer to the action than in Alex G. Spanos Stadium. They will have strong memories for life about having seen these soccer stars play live here in town.”

Tickets will be available for purchase the morning of Friday, Feb. 1 both online at www.gopoly.com and over the phone at (805) 756-5806. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Cal Poly Ticket Office by the Rec Center.

Friday Feb. 22, 2008 — San Jose Earthquakes vs. Columbus Crew, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008 — San Jose Earthquakes vs. D.C. United, 1 p.m.

Ticket Information:
Reserved Chair Back: $18 single game
$30 Weekend Package
Reserved Bleacher: $15 single game
$25 Weekend Package
General Admission Adult: $12 single game
$20 Weekend Package
General Admission Youth/CP Student: $6 single game $10 Weekend Package
Group Packages: $6 per-person for groups of 20 or more (Seats are General Admission)
*All group orders must be completed by the close of business on Wednesday, Feb. 20. This includes payment.
**Weekend packages will only be available up to Feb. 21, one day prior to the San Jose-Columbus match.
***GREAT DEAL: WEEKEND and GROUP PACKAGES can ONLY be purchased at the Cal Poly ticket office or over the phone at (805) 756-5806.

Click here to order tickets online through Vallitix.