Sports & Recreation

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., April 17 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Verizon Wireless and some of Latin America's greatest soccer legends are teaming up during Verizon Wireless' fourth annual youth soccer clinics in 18 U.S. cities throughout spring and summer. Among the legends are former Mexican national team striker Luis "El Matador" Hernandez and former Colombian national team captain Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama. Phoenix will kick-off this year's schedule on April 26 with an appearance by "El Matador," followed by a number of former national team players appearing in each clinic city to meet and sign autographs for youngsters.

Registration is free and open to youth five to 17 years old and will take place at local Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in each participating city. For registration locations, dates, and times and full clinic details please visit http://www.alianzadefutbol.com.

"It's always great to be out in the community and see the soccer stars of tomorrow," said Ecuadorian soccer great Alex Aguinaga, who will make appearances in New York and Philadelphia. "I am very happy to join Verizon Wireless at these worthwhile clinics and to offer advice to the soccer stars of the future."

Other soccer superstars expected to participate include: ex-Mexican national team midfielder Ramon Ramirez; four-time Mexican league champion and three-time Mexican national team member Alberto Garcia Aspe; one of Ecuador's greatest footballers of all time Alex Aguinaga; Mexican Olympian Manuel Sol; six-time Argentine league champion Guillermo Barros Schelotto; and Mexican national team ex-goalkeeper Martin "El Pulpo" Zuniga.

Leading the clinics will be legendary soccer clinic director "Soccer Tom" Mulroy, member of the first U.S. Youth National Team and official spokesperson for World Cup USA '94. The three-hour clinics will include ball gymnastics, warm ups, ball control, overall soccer skills, and small sided games. Each participating youth will receive a soccer uniform, sports sack and water bottle.

Clinic cities, dates and guest soccer players are as follows:

Market Clinic Date* Guest Soccer Player*
PHOENIX April 26 Luis "El Matador" Hernandez
HOUSTON May 9 Ramon Ramirez
DALLAS May 24 Alberto Garcia Aspe
MIAMI May 31 Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama
ATLANTA June 7 Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama
WASHINGTON, D.C. June 14 Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama
NEW YORK June 21 Alex Aguinaga
NEWBURGH, N.Y. June 27 Alex Aguinaga
PHILADELPHIA June 28 Alex Aguinaga
BOSTON July 5 Ricardo Pelaez
CHICAGO July 12 Ramon Ramirez
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. July 19 TBD
MINNEAPOLIS July 26 Manolo Sol
DENVER August 2 Guillermo Barros Schelotto
KANSAS CITY, Mo. August 9 Alex Aguinaga
YAKIMA, Wash. August 16 Martin "El Pulpo" Zuniga
LOS ANGELES August 23 Luis "El Matador" Hernandez
SAN FRANCISCO September 6 TBD

*Subject to change without notice

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 80 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit http://www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless