KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Soccer fans are in for a Thanksgiving night feast when the David Beckham-led Los Angeles Galaxy come to K-Town to face FC Kaiserslautern.
Fritz Walter Stadium will likely be packed when the playoff-bound Major League Soccer club takes on the Bundesliga 2 powerhouse in an 8:30 p.m. match on Nov. 26. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
The 48,500-seat arena also hosted World Cup matches in 2006, including a 1-1 draw between the U.S. and eventual champion Italy.
Up to 25,000 tickets for 45 euros will be available to servicemembers, their dependents and Department of Defense civilians starting Thursday at www.lagalaxyeuropetour.com.
Ajay Dhebar, with the producer of the event, IMC Group Inc., said he expects a sellout.
“We have the largest American (military) community outside of the U.S. It is just logical that if somewhere a game like this should take place, it should be here,” said FC Kaiserslautern spokesman Christian Gruber.
According to FC Kaiserslautern’s Web site, the Galaxy will travel to Kaiserslautern on Nov. 23, and participate in several events in the community, including visiting with servicemembers and their families in the area.
Dhebar said the Galaxy’s visit will include visiting injured soldiers Nov. 25 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. There is also a concert being planned for servicemembers, but the details of that and other events are still being worked out, Dhebar said.
Officials with the 86th Services Squadron said they are still planning for the Galaxy’s visit and they expect to have more details Friday.
FC Kaiserslautern officials said this is the first time their team has played an American club.
This is the Galaxy’s third straight year of participating in an overseas MLS postseason tour. The club played in Sydney, Australia, and Wellington, New Zealand, in 2007 and returned to New Zealand last year.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the Galaxy to be able to play a world renowned club like FC Kaiserslautern at an amazing World Cup venue in front of their loyal and passionate fans,” Tom Payne, LA Galaxy president of business operations, said in a press release.
Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Klöckner contributed to this story.
