U.S. World Cup star and former Milwaukee Rampage player Tony Sanneh will make an appearance this Wednesday night (June 26) in Milwaukee, when the Rampage hosts the New York Freedoms at 7 p.m. at the Rampage Sports Complex, 60th Street and Ryan Road in Franklin.
It will be Sanneh's first appearance at a pro soccer game in the United States since returning from the team's recent thrilling performance at the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea. The U.S. advanced all the way to the quarterfinal round before dropping a heart-breaking 1-0 game to Germany.
"We will be celebrating Tony's success at the World Cup," said Rampage Head Coach Boro Sucevic, who signed Sanneh to his first pro contract with the Rampage in 1994. "Tony was clearly the United States' most valuable player and he showed that he is one of the best players in the world. We're fortunate and excited to get him here."
Sanneh will arrive in Milwaukee sometime on Wednesday for a press conference before the game (time TBA). The team will also dedicate one of its new future youth fields, "Tony Sanneh Field," during the press conference. The Rampage will then honor him in special pre-game ceremonies beginning at approximately 6:45 p.m. Several of Sanneh's teammates with the Rampage in 1994 will also be invited to take part in the ceremony. At half-time, 20 lucky fans will have the opportunity to go on the field with Sanneh to attempt to re-create the goal he and former Rampage teammate Brian McBride connected on to give the U.S. its stunning 3-2 first-round win over Portugal.
Sanneh and McBride combined for one of the best goals in the World Cup against Portugal. Sanneh served a perfect cross into the box from the right wing and McBride's diving header gave the U.S. its eventual game-winning goal.
Sanneh and a few of his U.S. teammates (including McBride) are in New York today taping a segment for "The Late Show With David Letterman," which will air tonight. He will then be on the "Today" show tomorrow morning (6:30 a.m. – 7 a.m. segment).
The Rampage will host the Freedoms on Wednesday (June 26) in the second round of the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Tickets will be $8 each or $7 for groups of 15 or more. Half the cost of each ticket sold will go to the team's "Reading with the Rampage" literacy program. If the Rampage defeats the Freedoms, Milwaukee will host the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer on July 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rampage Sports Complex. Ticket information will be announced after Wednesday’s game. The Fire features U.S. World Cup players DaMarcus Beasley, Josh Wolff and Chris Armas.
Dating back to 1914, the Open Cup is the oldest and most prestigious soccer competition in the country and one of the oldest in the world. All men’s amateur and professional teams have the chance to participate in the tournament. Last year, the Rampage advanced to the third round of the tournament, where it dropped a heart-breaking home game to U.S. World Cup midfielder Landon Donovan and the San Jose Earthquakes. Following 120 minutes of scoreless end-to-end action, including two sudden-death overtimes, San Jose prevailed in penalty kicks, 7-6.
