Goal Oriented

Despite the reverence given to it in nearly every other corner of the world, the sport of soccer has never quite found its footing within the cynical hearts of the American sporting public. Here we don't even call the sport by its proper name -- football -- reserving that term instead for a game in which 99 percent of the plays don't come close to involving the foot. Go figure.

courtesy of SUM

Interliga 2005 qualifies two teams for the Copa Libertadores competition.

Details

Comes to town on Sunday, January 2. The first game kicks off at 1 p.m. For details call 480-994-0471 or visit www.sumworld.com.

Bank One Ballpark, 401 East Jefferson Street

Related Content

• The Vroom
  January 12, 2012
• Arizona Diamondbacks Reclaim Lead in NL West with 6-3 Win Over Astros
  August 11, 2011
• Arizona Diamondbacks Lose 5-3, But Magic Number Drops to Three
  September 21, 2011
• Arizona Diamondbacks' Wacky Ride to the Playoffs #4: Miracle Finish Against Rockies, May 5
  September 30, 2011
• D-Backs Wacky Ride To 2011 Playoffs: #6--May 20 Win Over Twins Breaks One-Run Loss Streak
  October 1, 2011

More About

• Marisabel Munoz
• Chase Field
• Soccer

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Events Newsletter: What's happening in town? From underground club nights to the biggest outdoor festivals, our top picks for the week's best events will always keep you in on the action.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

It's a shame, really, because soccer's predispositions toward speed, skill, and charismatic personalities on the playing field and in the broadcast booth (Goooooaaaaalllll!) make it a big-league spectator sport well worth watching.

Get on the good foot when Interliga 2005, the premier (and only) official Mexican club soccer competition held in the United States, comes to Bank One Ballpark on New Year's weekend. At stake in this renowned qualifying tournament: two automatic berths for Mexican clubs to the Copa Libertadores, one of the top international club competitions in the world.

As one of six cities chosen to host Interliga matches in January, Phoenix will, however briefly, find itself front and center in the soccer universe. Far from an odd fit, Marisabel Muñoz of Soccer United Marketing says the Valley's demographics make the city a natural for just such an event.

"This tournament is a Mexican club tournament, and with such a large Hispanic population, Phoenix makes good sense," Muñoz says. "The Mexican community is always on top of what these teams are doing and where they're headed."

The action at BOB is of the doubleheader variety, and features four of Mexico's finest club teams, Chivas vs. Santos, and Tigres vs. Atlante. And with soccer securely entrenched as the largest youth sport in the Valley, this one has "family outing" written all over it.