The San Jose Earthquakes will host the Chicago Fire in a 20th Anniversary Celebration of Major League Soccer at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2. The game, presented by Gyft, will be a recreation of Major League Soccer’s inaugural match held at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on April 6, 1996, almost exactly 20 years to the day.
If the Quakes only succeed in recreating a small portion of the festivities surrounding that inaugural match twenty years ago, the anniversary game will be a ball. Then FIFA President Joao Havelange flew out to that match in 1996 and greeting card invitations that sung “ole, ole, ole, ole,” quite expensive back then, created a huge buzz around the game. There are already hints that the Quakes will bring back that old greeting card — season ticket holders should keep an eye on their mailboxes!
Hey Season Ticket Holders, be sure to keep an eye on your mailboxes. We’ve got a special delivery! #Quakes74 pic.twitter.com/33zFvezfXw
— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) February 24, 2016
Fans in attendance will also be treated to several other “throwback” items as part of the celebration. Replica 1996 matchday magazines will be distributed and 10,000 fans will also receive a T-shirt designed after the original Clash jersey, presented by Gyft. The Earthquakes will wear special numbers on their jerseys and the game balls will have 20th anniversary branding. Additionally, a number of Clash specialty items will be sold at the Quakes Team Store powered by Gyft.
At halftime, the Quakes will honor former San Jose Clash players and staff, as well as MLS representatives that made the inaugural season possible. The Earthquakes will also recognize the team’s original President Peter Bridgwater, who passed away in 2005.
Tickets are available at www.sjearthquakes.com, www.ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or visiting select Ticketmaster locations around the Bay Area. Groups of 10 or more can call the club’s Front Office at 408-556-7700. Tickets can also be purchased at the Avaya Stadium Box Office.
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