World renowned soccer coach Carlos Queiroz – head coach of the Portuguese National Team – and legendary player Antonio Simoes will be on hand at Alumni Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, as the University of Hartford men’s soccer team takes on Hartwick College.

The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium (behind the Sports Center).

Prior to the game, Queiroz will participate in a ceremonial first kick, and during halftime, a presentation will be made to Queiroz by Francisco Marcos, the President Emeritus, Senior Director of International Development of the United Soccer Leagues.

Queiroz, Simoes and members of the Hartford men’s soccer team will all be available for a photo and autograph session following the game.

The event is part of the 2009 Hartford Portuguese Soccer Festival, hosted by the Hartford men’s soccer team. Download a flyer for Saturday's Portuguese Soccer Festival (pdf).

Admission to the game is $5 for adults and $3 for youth, seniors, faculty, staff and alumni. Admission is free for University of Hartford students. For tickets or more information, contact the Malcolm & Brenda Berman Athletics Ticket Office at (860) 768-HAWK or tickets@hartford.edu.

Queiroz is currently the head coach of the Portuguese National Team and a former coach of Real Madrid and assistant manager of Manchester United. Simoes is a former player with SL Benfica, a former member of the Portuguese National Team and a 1962 European Champion.

The Hawks’ relationship with Queiroz came about through University of Hartford Men’s Soccer Coach Dan Gaspar, who has been working with Coach Queiroz to help the Portuguese National Team qualify for next year’s World Cup.

Gaspar’s dual roles as Hartford men’s soccer coach and technical consultant to one of the top national teams and top coaches in the world is so unique that he was recently featured in a New York Times article.