Three NPSL Teams to Participate in the Neighbor Nations Showdown

A trio of National Premier Soccer League clubs will welcome Liga MX side Monarcas Morelia’s reserve side to the Midwest Region this spring in what is being billed as the Neighbor Nations Showdown.

FC Buffalo, Cleveland SC, and Kalamazoo FC will play the role of hosts for matches from May 3-7, surrounding Cinco de Mayo weekend around the Great Lakes.

“We are happy to announce that Monarcas Morelia of the Liga MX has accepted our invitation to play a series of three friendly matches in North America,” said Victor De La Rosa, founder of FC Global Group. “Monarcas Morelia of Morelia, Michoacán, will send their reserve squad for a seven-day tour in the cities of Kalamazoo, Cleveland, and Buffalo.

“With our main objective to connect the world of soccer, we’re very grateful that our American friends were more than open to the idea of hosting a Mexican team in their communities. The friendly games will offer the chance to unite the community in what promises to be a “fiesta de futbol’.”

Monarcas Morelia is one of the largest clubs in Mexico, founded in 1924 as Oro Morelia. Once a Liga MX champion as well as one-time winners of both the Copa MX and Supercopa MX, Monarcas plays at the 41,000-seat Estadio Morelos in the state of Michoacán.

Known as both La Monarquía and Canarios, Monarcas has produced and/or boasted players like Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders), Jefferson Montero (West Bromwich Albion), and retired Honduran national team legend Carlos Pavon.

The tour begins on May 3 at Robert Rich Sr. All-High Stadium in Buffalo, before moving to Ohio for a match on Cinco de Mayo and concluding with a visit to Kalamazoo FC on May 7.

By FC Buffalo
Photo Credit: Jay Pike Photography