Media Kit: Archived Press Releases

Record-Breaking Crowd Expected for Glamour Exhibition Tomorrow

The Shell Shockers soccer club is expecting the largest crowd in its history for Saturday’s glamour exhibition against Honduran champions Olimpia at Pan American Stadium in City Park. Kick-off is 5pm and tickets are $20.

The biggest audience the team has recorded since forming four years ago was for a pre-season friendly against Major League Soccer club New England Revolution. That game in 2004 was a sell-out but was held at a much smaller capacity facility at Tulane University.

Eleven months since Katrina ravaged the city, Pan American Stadium is still battered and dilapidated. Shell Shockers staff has worked around the clock to get it ready for the match, which was only granted international approval last Thursday. Pan American is still without electricity or running water and the press box is a no-go area after being declared a safety hazard.

Club President Michael Balluff said: "Olimpia’s professional international stars are used to performing in their own 35,000-seater ground in Tegucigalpa, but both staff and players have been very understanding. They know how tough things are in New Orleans and have accepted inconveniences like using a tent without air-conditioning as a changing room."

"If Saturday goes well then I can promise we will do everything in our power to attract more Latin American heavyweights to the city as a thank you to local soccer fans."

The Shell Shockers will have three former players spanning every year of their existence in their line-up, and the side has also flown in players from around the country to guest for them. They will turn out alongside regular local young guns like Josey Portillo, just 16, Chris Denuna and Brandon Chagnard, both 18, and Jarrett Gautreau, 19.

Head Coach Kenny Farrell said: “This fixture is a chance for some of Farrell's Fledglings to go up against the very best, and is proof that having survived the hurricane we are ready to move onto bigger and better things.

"I see this as the start of our preparations for the 2007 season, and hopefully after a difficult campaign this time out we can build a team ready to challenge for the league title next year.

Tonight the Olimpia squad will be at a Meet the Players event at Café East restaurant in Rye Street, Metairie. Then on Saturday evening there is a post-game party and meet-and-greet at the House of Blues in Decatur Street which will also feature some of the best Latin music DJs in the region.

<< Return to Previous Page