[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]olleson Union High School used its head when it agreed to host the Phoenix Monsoon soccer team for its first home game, which kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday at the school, 9419 W. Van Buren St. in Tolleson. The Monsoon competes in the West-Southern Conference of the National Premier Soccer League, the highest level of semi-professional soccer in the United States, which has six teams.
"Fans are going to see some players who were drafted by Major League Soccer, in some cases have played with the MLS senior team and guys who play at major colleges," Monsoon owner Adrian Quintero said. "It's a great challenge for us and a great opportunity for fans to see very good soccer in their own community."
Depending how the first game goes, the team may negotiate to use the field for its other six home games, said Alex Gago, director of corporate communications and marketing for the Monsoon.
The season's remaining home games would be played April 21, April 28, May 19, May 26, June 16 and July 7.
School districts are allowed by law to rent facilities to outside groups when they are not in use by the school itself.
Tolleson charges rates that allow for continued maintenance of the facility and costs for managing the event, which may include utilities, staffing and use of materials and supplies, said Karyn Morse Eubanks, district spokeswoman.
"Events like this provide a great opportunity for our students, parents and community members," she said. "Being able to watch a professional level soccer game in their neighborhood is a unique experience."
Tolleson was chosen as a site for a few reasons, Gago said.
"Their openness and willingness to support us was uncanny compared to other cities that we met with here in the Valley," he said. "They really wanted to open up their stadium and give us a good course to leasing it from them."
The high school's venue also met all of the requirements for a National Premiere Soccer League, Gago said. Its stadium seats more than 1,000 people, has locker rooms for both teams, a press box and public address system.
"It's very formal, just like you see it on TV when the World Cup played," he said. "It's all professionally done by standards, and they met all those requirements."
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"Fans are going to see some players who were drafted by Major League Soccer, in some cases have played with the MLS senior team and guys who play at major colleges," Monsoon owner Adrian Quintero said. "It's a great challenge for us and a great opportunity for fans to see very good soccer in their own community."
Depending how the first game goes, the team may negotiate to use the field for its other six home games, said Alex Gago, director of corporate communications and marketing for the Monsoon.
The season's remaining home games would be played April 21, April 28, May 19, May 26, June 16 and July 7.
School districts are allowed by law to rent facilities to outside groups when they are not in use by the school itself.
Tolleson charges rates that allow for continued maintenance of the facility and costs for managing the event, which may include utilities, staffing and use of materials and supplies, said Karyn Morse Eubanks, district spokeswoman.
"Events like this provide a great opportunity for our students, parents and community members," she said. "Being able to watch a professional level soccer game in their neighborhood is a unique experience."
Tolleson was chosen as a site for a few reasons, Gago said.
"Their openness and willingness to support us was uncanny compared to other cities that we met with here in the Valley," he said. "They really wanted to open up their stadium and give us a good course to leasing it from them."
The high school's venue also met all of the requirements for a National Premiere Soccer League, Gago said. Its stadium seats more than 1,000 people, has locker rooms for both teams, a press box and public address system.
"It's very formal, just like you see it on TV when the World Cup played," he said. "It's all professionally done by standards, and they met all those requirements."
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