News

WHAT: The Dallas Sidekicks will retire the #9 jersey of former star player and current Head Coach Tatu during halftime of their next home game. Former Head Coach Gordon Jago, Tatu and others will speak during the ceremony. Several former Sidekicks players and a few surprise guests familiar to DFW sports fans will be in attendance. The team will be giving out 1,000 replica Tatu jerseys to young fans at the door. The Sidekicks (10-2) will host the Rockford Rampage (6-7) in an effort to further clinch their top spot in the PASL’s Central Division heading into playoffs.

WHEN: Saturday, February 9, 2013
                                7:00 p.m. (Media entrance will open at 5:30 p.m.)

WHERE: Allen Event Center, 200 East Stacy Road, Allen, TX 75002

WHO: Tatu (Antonio Pecorari) is the face of the Dallas Sidekicks and the all-time leading goal scorer and assist leader in the history of indoor soccer. He spent 18 seasons as a Sidekicks forward (1984-2003) and still holds franchise records in goals (736), assists (672), points (1,408) and several additional categories. He was part of all four Sidekicks championships (1987, 1993, 1998, 2001) and became famous for throwing his jersey into the stands after scoring a goal. Tatu took over as head coach of the Sidekicks in 2004 and is the only person to win player of the year and coach of the year in the same season. He had the honor of serving as Torch Bearer for the Olympic Flame when it came through Dallas on its way to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He is heavily involved the DFW soccer community, running Tatu’s All-Star Soccer Camps in the area for 21 years.

Tatu and team members will be available for interviews immediately following the match. Please contact Melissa Smith if interested in pre-game interviews.

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About the Sidekicks
The Dallas Sidekicks are a professional indoor soccer team competing in the Professional Arena Soccer League. The team plays their home games at the Allen Event Center. The original Sidekicks were founded in 1984 and won four indoor championships in their tenure. Led by indoor soccer legend and Head Coach and Tatu, the Sidekicks have brought indoor soccer back to Dallas.

Media Credentials
Single-game credentials can be requested through Melissa Smith at melissa@dallassidekicks.net. The media entrance/check-in will be located near the main box office on the South side of the Allen Event Center (facing the parking garage and furniture store). There will be signs posted on the doors pointing the way. A Sidekicks staff member will be on hand to distribute credentials and answer questions. The media entrance and press box will be open approximately 90 minutes before game time. Game notes and statistics will be available. The media entrance will close 15 minutes after the start of the match.