Mexican Soccer Showdown at Orlando Citrus Bowl to Benefit Florida Hospital's Medical Missions Program

ES3 Sports, Florida Hospital and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer are excited to announce Mexican soccer clubs Cruz Azul FC and Puebla FC will play in the Shares Cup International in September an inaugural game that will benefit Florida Hospital's Sharing Smiles program.

ES3 Sports will host the friendly match between the superstar teams at the Orlando Citrus Bowl at 7:30 pm on Sept. 3, 2015.

ES3 Sports is proud to organize this international event and bring together two professional, well-respected soccer teams to both showcases the wonderful sport of soccer and raise vital funds for Florida Hospital Sharing Smiles. This program provides medical services in facial reconstructive surgery, pediatric dentistry and physical therapy at no cost to the families and children throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, said Ed Walls, owner of Altamonte-based ES3 Sports.

For more than 20 years, volunteers with Sharing Smiles (formerly known as SHARES International) have provided hope to communities in need by offering health care, education and training across the globe.

While roughly one in every 700 children in the United States are born with a cleft lip or palate, up to one in every 250 children in Latin America suffers from this birth defect. The significant need for physicians to perform corrective surgery for these needy children is growing. Unfortunately, these children may not have access to skilled physicians or have the resources to undergo a life-changing surgery.

Through the generosity of the community and volunteer medical professionals, Sharing Smiles is able to provide health care for children in developing countries by sending multidisciplinary medical teams. Sharing Smiles transforms the lives of these children and their families, and ensures their ongoing care by providing education initiatives for in-country caregivers using their own resources, volunteers and medical professionals.

We are honored that proceeds from this game will benefit the Sharing Smiles program, said Des Cummings, president of the Florida Hospital Foundation. Not only will thousands of fans be able to enjoy a great soccer match, but they will be helping improve the lives of countless children in Central and South America.

Thousands of soccer fans are expected to converge at the Orlando Citrus Bowl to see some of their favorite players take the field on Sept. 3.

Orlando is a world-class destination for sporting events, and we are excited these two top teams from Mexico will have a friendly match at the Citrus Bowl, said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. Not only will this game have a positive impact on our local economy, but it will help children in Central and South America by supporting the Sharing Smiles program.

Combined, the Cruz Azul FC and Puebla FC have won 10 Mexican league championships, eight national CUP championships and seven CONCACAF Cup championships.

Cruz Azul Futbol Club is one of the three most recognizable teams in Mexico, and has won the National Championship eight times and the National Cup three times. They have been most successful in the CONCACAF Cup with six championships, and runner-up in the oldest soccer club tournament in the world, the Copa Libertadores de America.

Puebla Futbol Club is one of the oldest Mexican Soccer teams and has won two National First Division titles, five National Cup titles (2015 Champions), and one CONCACAF CUP Championship. They play at the Cuauhtemoc Stadium in Puebla.

Tickets to the Shares Cup International go on sale Aug. 6 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com. Ticket holders will also have access to a Tailgate Fiesta beginning at 3:30 pm on game day. The Tailgate Fiesta will be a fun-filled event featuring food trucks and live music.

Businesses interested in learning more about the event, sponsorship or donation opportunities can contact Jane Wasyliw at [email protected] or Call203-996-1260 for information.

For media inquiries only, contact Florida Hospital Corporate Communications at Call407-303-8217; or Jane Wasyliw with ES3 Sports at Call203-996-1260 or [email protected].