The Mexican National Men’s Soccer Team has been to Qualcomm Stadium plenty of times, but never to Petco Park—until now.                                                          

A Dec. 21 announcement revealed that Mexico will kick off its 2005 U.S. Tour with a game against Sweden on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 8 p.m., at Petco.

The announcement was made by Soccer United Marketing, the San Diego Padres and the City of San Diego during a press conference at Petco Park’s Omni Premier Club.

Sponsored by Coca-Cola, the game marks the first major non-baseball sporting event held at Petco Park.  Petco is being used because of a possible conflict with Charger playoff games at Qualcomm Stadium.

Both Sweden and Mexico are currently in the midst of regional qualifying games for the 2006 World Cup, which will be held in Germany.  Mexico, coached by Ricardo Lavolpe, concluded the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifiers without a loss.  CONCACAF is a confederation of North American, Central American, and Caribbean soccer associations.

Mexico will use the game against Sweden as preparation for its first two qualifiers of the final round: versus Costa Rica Feb. 9, and facing the United States March 26.

Sweden, coached by Lars Lagerback, stands in first place in Group 8 of World Cup qualifying with nine points (three wins, one loss).  Lagerback and his team will travel to the United States in preparation for two upcoming World Cup qualifiers versus Bulgaria, March 25, and Malta, June 4.

Sweden has traditionally been one of Europe’s strongest sides, qualifying for three of the last four World Cups since 1990.

Mexico, ranked seventh in a recent world ranking poll, and Sweden, ranked 13th, have met on seven occasions, with the first meeting resulting in a 3-0 Sweden win during the 1958 World Cup.  In the all-time series between the two countries, Mexico has won twice, with Sweden claiming three victories and two ties.  Sweden also holds the all-time edge in goals scored with seven, compared to Mexico’s five.

The most recent encounter between Mexico and Sweden took place during the summer of 1994 in Fresno just prior to the 1994 World Cup, which was played on U.S. soil.  On that occasion, Mexico defeated Sweden 2-1.

Sweden is no stranger to Southern California, given that San Diego served as their home base during the 1994 World Cup, where they enjoyed a historic run to the semifinals until they were eliminated by the eventual champion, Brazil.  Mexico’s last visit to the San Diego area came in March 2003, when they tied Paraguay 1-1.

Mexico holds an all-time record of 11-1-3 in San Diego.  Their first trip to San Diego was in 1993, when they defeated the Ukraine 2-1.

“It will be interesting to see how soccer plays out at Petco, although we have no reservations,” Nelson Rodriguez, senior vice president of Soccer United Marketing, said at the press conference.  “We’ll have a better understanding of that after the event.  But we’ve had very good dealings with the Padres and that kind of relationship is important, to know you have a partner in the market.”

Tickets are priced between $25 and $50, with the majority of seats at $30.  Padres season-ticket holders will get first dibs on seats.

To buy tickets, visit Petco Park’s box office, 100 Park Blvd., call (877) FRIAR-TIX (374-2784), or visit www.petcoparkevents.com on or after Jan. 8. 

The Mexican National Men’s Soccer Team has been to Qualcomm Stadium plenty of times, but never to Petco Park—until now.                                                           

A Dec. 21 announcement revealed that Mexico will kick off its 2005 U.S. Tour with a game against Sweden on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 8 p.m., at Petco.

The announcement was made by Soccer United Marketing, the San Diego Padres and the City of San Diego during a press conference at Petco Park’s Omni Premier Club.

Sponsored by Coca-Cola, the game marks the first major non-baseball sporting event held at Petco Park.  Petco is being used because of a possible conflict with Charger playoff games at Qualcomm Stadium.

Both Sweden and Mexico are currently in the midst of regional qualifying games for the 2006 World Cup, which will be held in Germany.  Mexico, coached by Ricardo Lavolpe, concluded the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifiers without a loss.  CONCACAF is a confederation of North American, Central American, and Caribbean soccer associations.

Mexico will use the game against Sweden as preparation for its first two qualifiers of the final round: versus Costa Rica Feb. 9, and facing the United States March 26.

Sweden, coached by Lars Lagerback, stands in first place in Group 8 of World Cup qualifying with nine points (three wins, one loss).  Lagerback and his team will travel to the United States in preparation for two upcoming World Cup qualifiers versus Bulgaria, March 25, and Malta, June 4.

Sweden has traditionally been one of Europe’s strongest sides, qualifying for three of the last four World Cups since 1990.

Mexico, ranked seventh in a recent world ranking poll, and Sweden, ranked 13th, have met on seven occasions, with the first meeting resulting in a 3-0 Sweden win during the 1958 World Cup.  In the all-time series between the two countries, Mexico has won twice, with Sweden claiming three victories and two ties.  Sweden also holds the all-time edge in goals scored with seven, compared to Mexico’s five.

The most recent encounter between Mexico and Sweden took place during the summer of 1994 in Fresno just prior to the 1994 World Cup, which was played on U.S. soil.  On that occasion, Mexico defeated Sweden 2-1.

Sweden is no stranger to Southern California, given that San Diego served as their home base during the 1994 World Cup, where they enjoyed a historic run to the semifinals until they were eliminated by the eventual champion, Brazil.  Mexico’s last visit to the San Diego area came in March 2003, when they tied Paraguay 1-1.

Mexico holds an all-time record of 11-1-3 in San Diego.  Their first trip to San Diego was in 1993, when they defeated the Ukraine 2-1.

“It will be interesting to see how soccer plays out at Petco, although we have no reservations,” Nelson Rodriguez, senior vice president of Soccer United Marketing, said at the press conference.  “We’ll have a better understanding of that after the event.  But we’ve had very good dealings with the Padres and that kind of relationship is important, to know you have a partner in the market.”

Tickets are priced between $25 and $50, with the majority of seats at $30.  Padres season-ticket holders will get first dibs on seats.

To buy tickets, visit Petco Park’s box office, 100 Park Blvd., call (877) FRIAR-TIX (374-2784), or visit www.petcoparkevents.com on or after Jan. 8.