East Providence: One of Portugal’s premiere football clubs – Sporting Club de Portugal – is making a rare appearance in the United States for a four-match tour in May 2004.

The storied Portuguese club will face the San Jose Earthquakes at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, CA on May 12. The club will then travel to New England for three matches against the area’s top clubs: The Rhode Island Stingrays at Pierce Memorial Field in East Providence, RI on May 15; The New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA on May 19 and The Western Mass Pioneers at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, MA on May 23.

Founded in 1906, Sporting has consistently been one of the top teams in Portugal, winning 18 League titles and 17 Portuguese Cups. Currently Sporting is in second place in Portugal’s Super Liga behind FC Porto.

The Rhode Island Stingrays are helping to promote soccer in our area with the addition of this international match. Stingrays’ President, Mario Pereira feels that having the " opportunity to host a distinguished team like Sporting Clube in East Providence provides our players, fans and soccer enthusiasts across the state a chance to share in the passion of this great game of soccer. The Rhode Island Stingrays mission is to entertain our fans and promote enthusiasm for our younger players who are involved with local soccer associations".

Sporting’s roster includes both Portuguese and Brazilian superstars. Look for the following players on the tour: João Pinto, Pedro Barbosa, Rui Bento, Silva, Anderson Polga, Tinga and Liedson. Please call the Rhode Island Stingrays office at (401) 438-9700 for tickets or more information.