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Locals Gear Up For U.S. Men's Soccer Third Place Match In Glendale

By Casey Kuhn
Published: Friday, June 24, 2016 - 5:05am
Updated: Friday, June 24, 2016 - 3:32pm
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(Photo by Matthew Casey - KJZZ)
Copa America Centenario Games logo on University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

The United States Men’s National Soccer team is in town this weekend for the third place match of the Copa America Centenario. The Copa America Centenario USMNT v. Colombia match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. Saturday at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Local U.S. soccer fans got an unexpected treat when the men’s national team advanced through group play and into the third-place game against Colombia in Glendale.

The Valley chapter of soccer supporters, the American Outlaws, will be celebrating nearby.

Starting at 11 a.m. the group will host an indoor tailgate party at Westgate before marching over to the stadium.

American Outlaws president Ryan Shirah said while settling for third place isn’t ideal, he’s looking forward to seeing the team on local turf.

“The bad news is we didn’t make the finals, right? The good news is that it’s hosting the third place match here in Glendale, so we get a match,” Shirah said.

Shirah says all 500 of the Copa tickets reserved for the Outlaws sold out in 30 minutes.

Arizona United, the local professional soccer team, will hold a Copa viewing party before their match at the Peoria Sports Complex.

“They can have a soccer doubleheader, spend half of it in AC which everyone loves this time of year, and then they can watch us take off at 7:30 afterwards,” Jose Bosch, Arizona United spokesman, said.

The Copa match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. Saturday at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

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