Soccer enthusiasts were treated to a thrilling international friendly match as global powerhouses Portugal and Mexico clashed at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Friday, June 6, 2014. The highly anticipated game served as a crucial warm-up for both nations as they geared up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The 8:30 p.m. kickoff drew a significant crowd eager to witness some of the world’s best players in action on American soil.
The match boasted the presence of top-tier squads from both sides, most notably featuring Portugal’s iconic forward, Cristiano Ronaldo. Fresh off winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo’s appearance alone was a major draw for fans. Alongside Ronaldo, the Portuguese side showcased other prominent European club stars, including Manchester United’s dynamic midfielder Nani and Real Madrid’s solid defender Pepe, adding further star power to the fixture.
Mexico, not to be outdone, also brought a strong contingent of players who had been instrumental in their recent World Cup qualifying campaigns and friendly matches. The Mexican squad included fan favorites such as Javier Hernández, known for his prolific goal-scoring ability, Oribe Peralta, and the skillful Giovani dos Santos, ensuring a captivating contest against their European counterparts.
Tickets for this prestigious international friendly started at an accessible price of $40, going on sale to the general public on Monday, February 24, at 10 a.m. Fans could purchase tickets through Ticketmaster outlets and the Gillette Stadium box office, or by calling 1-877-GET-REVS. Revolution season ticket holders and multi-game package holders were also offered exclusive pre-sale opportunities in the week leading up to the general sale, highlighting the high demand for this event.
Revolution president Brian Bilello expressed his excitement about hosting such a high-profile match: “With both of these teams leaving directly for Brazil after this series of matches, we’re very excited to be able to present this unique opportunity to fans of this region,” he stated. “The chance to see two World Cup-bound squads – and some of the world’s top players – means this will be a truly memorable event for everyone in attendance.”
On match day, June 6, Gillette Stadium opened its gates at 6:30 p.m., with parking lots welcoming fans from 4:30 p.m. onwards, creating a full afternoon and evening of soccer excitement.
Historically, Portugal and Mexico have a limited but intriguing history of encounters. Prior to this friendly, they had faced each other only twice, with Portugal holding a slight edge with a record of 1 win, 0 losses, and 1 draw against Mexico. Their most recent clash was during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where Portugal emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, adding historical context to their 2014 meeting.
For Portugal, this friendly marked a return to Gillette Stadium within a short period. They had previously played at the venue the year before, suffering a 3-1 defeat against Brazil in September 2013 in front of an impressive crowd of 62,310 spectators. As the fourth-ranked team globally at the time, Portugal was preparing to compete in Group G of the upcoming World Cup, alongside formidable opponents Germany, Ghana, and the United States.
Mexico’s national team also had prior experience playing in Foxborough. They last played there in 2007, in a match against Brazil that ended in a 3-2 loss, but drew a record crowd of 67,684 – the largest ever recorded for a soccer game at Gillette Stadium. Ranked 21st in the FIFA world rankings at the time, Mexico’s schedule included a match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Chicago on Tuesday, June 3, before their trip to the East Coast for the Portugal friendly.
