Miller Park to host soccer friendly in July

MILWAUKEE -- For the second straight year, the Miller Park grounds crew will transform a baseball field into a soccer pitch for an international friendly.

Atlas Futbol Club of Mexican Liga MX and Newcastle United Football Club of the English Premier League will meet in Milwaukee on Tuesday, July 14, at 8 p.m. CT for the second professional soccer match at the home of the Brewers. Tickets go on sale for the match Thursday at 10 a.m. at brewers.com/soccer.

"After the success of last year's match, we are thrilled to bring world-class professional soccer back to Miller Park," Brewers COO Rick Schlesinger said. "It is another great opportunity to showcase our facility's unique ability to host a multitude of events."

Ticket prices range from $25 to $70. Parking is $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the match. In addition, all fans who attend the match will receive a voucher at the gate that will allow them to receive $15 off select Brewers home games in August.

Formed almost 100 years ago, Club Atlas has been a mainstay in the top division of the Mexican Liga for 86 years. Based out of Guadalajara, the team finished fourth this season in the Liga MX and recently named Gustavo Cristian Matosas Paidon as manager for the upcoming season.

Newcastle was founded in 1892, and it plays in the Barclays Premier League, the highest professional level of football in the country. Since the beginning, the team has played its home matches at St. James' Park, the oldest stadium in Northeast England. The 2015 season saw the team, affectionately known as the Magpies, remain in the Premier League with hard-fought victories over such clubs as Crystal Palace (3-2), Tottenham (2-1), Manchester City (2-0), Liverpool (1-0) and EPL title winners Chelsea (2-1).  

The pitch will be laid out in an east-west orientation, with one goal in left field and the other goal near first base. On the day of the match, parking lots will open at 5 p.m. and the gates will open at 6:30 p.m.