CMN HELPS SET RECORD CROWD AT NEW MEADOWLANDS STADIUM AS ARGENTINA AND U.S. PLAY TO 1-1 DRAW

CMN HELPS SET RECORD CROWD AT NEW MEADOWLANDS STADIUM AS ARGENTINA AND U.S. PLAY TO 1-1 DRAW

FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi Shines While Esteban Cambiasso Scores Lone Goal for La Albiceleste


CHICAGO (March 30, 2011) - Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN), an award-winning multicultural event marketing agency, helped set a new attendance record at the New Meadowlands Stadium, bringing in 78,936 soccer fans who braved the cold to watch the Argentinean National Team take on the U.S. National Team Saturday night at the world-class venue. Two-time FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi and the rest of the fourth-ranked Argentine squad were a constant threat to Bob Bradley’s team, and U.S. keeper Tim Howard’s stellar performance denied Argentina several opportunities that could have changed the outcome early on.

The event was produced by CMN in conjunction with the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

On a night which resembled a World Cup atmosphere, with spirited fans of both sides on their feet, the two-time FIFA World Cup Champions came out firing on all cylinders. Messi led the attack effortlessly and was incessant throughout the first half, forcing Howard off his line in the 23rd minute and then blasting a left-footed shot after a fantastic give-and-go with Ezequiel Lavezzi in the 28th minute, but his effort went just wide right of Howard.

Not surprisingly, the Barcelona superstar initiated the play that would give the South Americans a 1-0 lead heading into the locker room. After slicing through several defenders in the 42nd minute, “La Pulga” (“The Flea”) dribbled into the area and sent a ball to Real Madrid forward Angel Di Maria, whose close range shot was denied by Howard. The rebound landed at the feet of Inter stalwart Esteban Cambiasso, whose perfect blast from 8 yards out put the Argentines on the scoreboard first.

“The first half was different from the second, and I was very happy with our performance in the first half,” said Argentina National Team Head Coach Sergio Batista during the post-game press conference. “The U.S. did their job, and made it difficult for us in the second half. They are a strong team, and their players know each other very well. From the beginning we wanted to control the ball… having control of the ball is fundamental.”

In the second half, the U.S. was ignited by second half sub and 18-year-old sensation Juan Agudelo. After a foul in the 58th minute, Galaxy forward Landon Donovan sent his free kick in from the right side of the box as U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra headed the ball straight to Argentina keeper Mariano Andujar, who was not able to keep the ball. Agudelo fired the rebound into the upper left netting to level the score 1-1. The goal marked the Red Bulls forward’s second tally in only three appearances with the senior squad.

“Whenever we get the opportunity to play against these great teams there are a lot of challenges, and there are things that now we can set our sights on,” said U.S. Head Coach Bob Bradley. “Argentina was very good with the ball in the first half and found a great rhythm that made it difficult on us, and the goal before halftime changed the thinking. I was very pleased with response from the team in the second half. To come away with a good result against a very good team there are some things to talk about, some things that need to be improved but also some positives."

The match marked the second straight draw for the teams, as they played to a 0-0 tie in their last meeting in 2008 at Giants Stadium. The crowd of 78, 936 marked the largest soccer attendance ever at New Meadowlands Stadium.