Rodriguez and Garcia Selected to Play, Famiglietta Will Be Assistant Coach in USA vs. Mexico Game

Rio Rancho, N.M. (August 15, 2019) – The exciting international arena soccer friendly between Team USA and Mexico featuring US Soccer legend Landon Donovan is just over a week away at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho taking place on Saturday August 24^th, 2019. Two New Mexico Runners players have been selected by the American Association of Soccer567 (AAS567) to play in the game with Donovan with Runners Head Coach Steve Famiglietta selected as an assistant coach.

Forwards Jaime “Chiva” Rodriguez and Miguel “Miggy” Garcia will be playing on the same field as Landon Donovan. Rodriguez will take the field for Mexico’s Indoor Soccer National Team as he hails from Monterrey, Mexico as Garcia will suit up for Team USA.

Rodriguez was the league’s (MASL2) Most Valuable Player with his 52 total points, 41 goals, 11 assists and 6 power play goals in the inaugural season giving the New Mexico Runners a top honors despite the team just missing the playoffs.

“I’m excited to play a game like this at home!” Says Jaime Rodriguez. “I’ve always been proud and honored to represent my home country, where I grew up and this occasion couldn’t be better against Landon Donovan.” 

Garcia had an outstanding 2018-19 season as he accrued 13 points, 7 goals, 6 assists, 1 blocked shot and 1 power play goal. Miguel is a local product from V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho and went on to play at Trinidad State College in Colorado.

The US National Arena Team organization had been keeping tabs on New Mexico’s Head Coach since the start of their inaugural season and has decided to add him to the coaching staff for the USA vs Mexico friendly on August 24^th. Pro Soccer Hall of Famer Steve Famiglietta will take a spot as an assistant coach on Team USA.

Famiglietta stated that “this is what positive development in the arena soccer sport is all about. I can’t wait to represent USA in a fantastic match-up between two awesome teams with two of our top players.”

The USA vs. Mexico International Arena Soccer friendly presented by the New Mexico Runners professional arena soccer team and the Santa Ana Star Center is slated for Saturday August 24^th, 2019 at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, NM. Doors open at 6 PM with a 7 PM kick and tickets for the game are available at http://santaanastarcenter.com/ . Tickets start at $15 and group discounts of 10 or more tickets purchased are available by calling 505-891-7319.

## American Association of Soccer 567 ##

About the AAS567: The American Association of Soccer567 (AAS567) is the official sanctioned federation in the United States by the World MiniFootball Federation(WMF). American Association of Soccer567 mission statement is to make it simple for players, coaches, teams, clubs, and leagues to organize the small sided games of soccer 5, 6, and 7 a side, and arena soccer locally in the United States. Our federation then provides those local teams and players opportunities to play in National and International competitions either through our national teams, or national and international competitions for teams and clubs. For more information visit www.soccer567.com.