ST. PETERSBURG, Fla – Al Lang Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, is set to host an exciting FC Series friendly between Brazilian giants Clube de Regatas do Flamengo and Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union on Sunday, January 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.
A limited number of tickets to the match are on sale now to the public. Click here to purchase.
The exhibition is the first-ever meeting between the two clubs who have a tradition of developing elite players, such as Vinicius Jr and Lucas Paquetá from Flamengo youth system, and the Aaronson brothers, Mark Mckenzie, and Auston Trusty from the Union Academy. To celebrate the meeting, Flamengo and the Union have up to 2,000 youth academy players from across Florida academies to attend the match in downtown St. Petersburg. The two clubs will also promote experiences for youth players and during the match.
”This initiative, in partnership with the Philadelphia Union, is a great opportunity to further promote our brand in a market where we will be competing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, while supporting grassroots soccer and the growth of the sport in the U.S.” – Gustavo Oliveira, Flamengo Vice-President of Communication and Marketing.
This year’s FC Series marks the return of Flamengo to U.S. soil after five years. During their visit to Florida this month, Flamengo will also meet Orlando City at Exploria Stadium on January 27. The Brazilian club supporters have already sold out their ticket allotment for that match.
Founded in 1895 and with over 40 millions loyal supporters, Flamengo has consistently been a dominant force in Brazilian football. The club won its third Copa Libertadores title in 2022 and also counts 8 Brasileirão Série A titles, 4 Copa do Brasil trophies, and one Intercontinental Cup title among its achievements.
The Philadelphia Union is gearing up for its 15th season in MLS. Under head coach Jim Curtin, Philadelphia has qualified for the MLS playoffs in six straight seasons, claiming the league’s Players’ Shield in 2020 and reaching the MLS Cup Final in 2022. Philadelphia will conduct its preseason preparations in Clearwater, Florida for the 10th consecutive season. The January 21 match versus Flamengo will be Philadelphia’s only preseason match open to the public.
About FC Series / Florida Cup
The largest annual international soccer event in the Sunshine State, the FC Series is a global platform that combines sports, music and entertainment. In 2023, the event was broadcasted live to over 100 countries. Across social networks, content posted by official event pages and shared worldwide reached more than 100 million people. In 2022, the event expanded to the FC Series featuring multiple matches across the United States. For more information on the FC Series, visit FCSeries.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 21 – FC SERIES
CR FLAMENGO (BRAZIL) vs PHILADELPHIA UNION (USA)| 2:00 p.m. ET
Al Lang Stadium
St. Petersburg, Fla.
