FC St. Pauli

“After last year’s trip, which was a success on every level, it was clear for us that we would go to the USA again,” said club president Oke Göttlich. “We want to exploit the positive effect of last year’s tour to raise the club’s profile in the US still further. We reached a lot of people last year. The US is also an interesting market for us in our search for suitable partnerships and sponsors, and we are also able to involve our American fans and partners such as Levi’s and Under Armour.”

The Boys in Brown will contest two friendlies during the tour. On 23 May they will play the New York Cosmos at the Rocco B. Commissio Stadium before taking on FC Buffalo at the Robert E. Rich All-High Stadium on 25 May. “We are the first international opponents for the New York Cosmos since the 1980s and are looking forward to both games. Like Detroit FC, who we played last year, the New York Cosmos are one of the founding teams of the National Premier Soccer League Founders Cup, from which an alternative professional league to the MLS will emerge. We’re also looking forward to meeting our supporters, of course, especially as there are big fans clubs in both New York and Buffalo.”

The Boys in Brown will also meet the German ambassador in the Big Apple and pay a visit to the East River Pirates in Brooklyn. In Buffalo, the club delegation will attend a supporters evening with the fan club FC St. Pauli Buffalo and a live concert. “As football takes precedence over any planning, it is clear that the tour will not go ahead if we reach the play-offs for promotion to the Bundesliga,” said Oke Göttlich. Information on the tour programme, ticket sales and the meetings with the American supporters clubs will be made available in due course.

Photo: FC St. Pauli