CARY, N.C. (August 1, 2023) – The North Carolina Football Club will host a friendly match between two Liga MX teams – Rayados de Monterrey and Atlético de San Luis – at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday, September 8, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.
This historic match, presented by the Latino Community Auto Center, is the first-ever between two international, professional clubs hosted by the North Carolina Football Club that does not include either NCFC or the Courage.
“This is another example of our commitment to bringing global soccer to our community. Our region is brimming with a Hispanic and Latinx population that has a massive appetite for soccer and Liga MX. We are excited about this opportunity to showcase high-level soccer, passionate players, and equally passionate supporters right here in the Triangle,” said Francie Gottsegen, president of the North Carolina Football Club.
Club de Fútbol Monterrey, commonly known as Rayados, is one of the oldest and most decorated clubs in Mexico. They have won five league titles, three domestic cups, and five CONCACAF Champions League titles. They are currently undefeated in the young 2023 Liga MX campaign, sitting second in the standings through three matches. Rayados’ sister club, Rayadas, has an existing home-and-home partnership with the North Carolina Courage. The first leg of the matchup took place at Estadio BBVA back in March with a return trip to the United States yet to be announced.
“We are thrilled to announce our upcoming friendly game against Atlético de San Luis in Cary, NC, as part of our club’s strategic expansion plan in the U.S. We aim to bring the passion of Rayados to new regions, not only to strengthen our bond with our loyal fans but also to introduce our team and players to soccer fans who may be unfamiliar with Liga MX. This game represents an exciting opportunity to showcase the essence and quality of our club to a broader audience in the United States,” said Xavier Sanchez, Rayados Commercial Director.
Atlético de San Luis has been a member of Liga MX since 2019, ending a six-year drought for the city without a team in Mexico’s top soccer division. Atlético de San Luis was founded in April of 2017 as part of Atlético de Madrid’s global strategy, finding in San Luis Potosi the ideal spot for one of Mexico’s most promising sporting ventures.
The club’s brand is constructed upon Atletico’s already world-known courage, work, effort, and unity heritage, alongside the already existing sporting tradition in our city, resulting in a unique institution.
“International window matches are a great opportunity to keep our team in competition rhythm. The chance to play a great rival, such as Rayados, and to do it in North Carolina, gives our club a chance not only to learn from the experience, but also allows our fans from outside of Mexico to support their team,” says Atlético de San Luis sporting director Iñigo Regueiro
Tickets for the match will go on sale on Wednesday, August 2. For updates on the match as they become available, including broadcast details and detailed ticket information, follow @NorthCarolinaFC and @TheNCCourage on social media and stay tuned to www.northcarolinafc.com and www.nccourage.com.
