Pre-season tournament helps launch Re-imagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Jan. 21, 2010) – Four Major League Soccer clubs, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC, will compete in the inaugural Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic Feb. 25 and 27, 2010.

The Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic kicks off the re-launch of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and is part of the 2010 ESPN The Weekend presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods.

On Thursday, Feb. 25 the Houston Dynamo face the New York Red Bulls at 6 p.m. followed by FC Dallas versus Toronto FC at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 27, the two losing teams will kick off at 6 p.m. with the two winners playing in the championship game at 8:30 p.m.

FC Dallas finished the 2009 season as one of the league’s hottest teams, narrowly missing the post-season under the direction of Coach Schellas Hyndman. The FC Dallas squad was anchored by the MLS leading goal scorer, Jeff Cunningham, who notched 17 goals in his second season with the team. With key players from last season returning for the 2010 season including David Ferreira, Heath Pearce and Dax McCarty, FC Dallas are ready to start the MLS campaign and their quest for a playoff berth.

In their first two seasons, the Houston Dynamo won back-to-back MLS Cup championships in 2006-07. Led by head coach Dominic Kinnear, the Dynamo have also finished first (2008) and tied for first (2009) in the Western Conference in the last two seasons and represented the United States consistently in international competition.

The New York Red Bulls look to get off to a flying start in 2010, opening their brand new stadium, Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, N.J. this March. On the field, the Red Bulls are led by 2007 MLS Most Valuable Player finalist, Juan Pablo Angel, as well as new Coach Hans Backe. The Red Bulls look to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs and advance to the MLS Cup Final as they did in 2008.

Toronto FC begins their fourth season in MLS with hopes of reaching the post-season for the first time. Playing in the Eastern Conference, the League’s lone Canadian club finished with 39 points in 2009 and 10 wins, their best showing since their inception. With their new Coach, Preki, a strong nucleus of players led by two-time MLS Cup MVP Dwayne De Rosario, and a new grass pitch at their home BMO Field, Toronto FC is hoping for big things in 2010.

“Bringing four Major League Soccer teams to Central Florida to play in the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic is very exciting and a big win for all of our local soccer players, fans, parents and spectators,” said Disney Sports Area Manager Patrick Dicks. “ESPN The Weekend is serving as a major platform for these teams to prepare for the upcoming season and we are proud to have them be a part of this re-branding weekend.”

Disney Sports plays host to some of the top youth soccer tournaments worldwide. Disney’s Soccer Showcase is one of the largest and most elite recruiting tournaments in the country, pulling in over 500 boys and girls youth soccer teams that compete for both medals and collegiate scholarships. The Disney Cup International is one of the premier international youth soccer tournaments in the world and since 1999 has brought in teams from more than 20 countries.

Opened in 1997, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is a premier multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States and has recently undergone changes to incorporate signature ESPN elements, ultimately taking the sports experience to the next level. High-definition video cameras, along with high-definition video screens and two Jumbotrons, have been added throughout the complex. Game highlights and action will be broadcast across the complex, in all Walt Disney World Resort rooms and will also feed into a new state-of-the-art digital center with a direct uplink to ESPN in Bristol, CT.

Daily tickets to the Disney Pro Soccer Classic will include admission to the complex for both games and entrance to ESPN The Weekend events that are taking place at the complex. Tickets can be bought on-site at the complex box office or through ticketmaster. For a full list of ESPN The Weekend events and ticket packages, visit www.disneysports.com and www.espntheweekend.com.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Opened in 1997 at Walt Disney World Resort, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, hosting more than 250 events each year, and accommodating 60 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries. In 2008, ESPN and Disney partnered to incorporate signature ESPN elements and re-imagine the complex, ultimately taking the sports experience to the next level. On Feb. 25, 2010 the ESPN Wide World of Sports will re-open with more than 44 high-definition and robotic video cameras, plus 10 handheld cameras, and 40 high-definition video screens, including two Jumbotrons placed throughout the complex. Game highlights and action from the complex will be fed into a new 2,500 square foot state-of-the-art digital center with eight edit bays and a direct uplink to ESPN in Bristol, CT.

The sprawling 220-acre state-of-the-art complex features the Milk House, a 165,000-square-foot field house which seats 5,500 for basketball; the 9,500-seat Champion Stadium ballpark; the Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields; and the Jostens Center, an 80,000 square foot multi-sport field house. In addition, the complex has 11 tennis courts, including a stadium court, and a track and field complex. The complex is home to the Major League Baseball Atlanta Braves spring training, the Pop Warner Super Bowl, Chelsea Football Club events, the Special Olympics Florida Summer Games and AAU National Championship events, among others. Please visit www.disneysports.com for more information and follow us on Twitter @DisneySports.

ESPN The Weekend

ESPN The Weekend presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods is a one-of-a-kind experience for sports fans of all ages. Visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to get up-close and personal with star athletes and ESPN personalities. Take your best shot at the Interactive Sports Zone and catch live telecasts of Mike & Mike in the Morning, NFL Live, Baseball Tonight and more. For a schedule of events please visit www.espntheweekend.com.