Swine Virus

U.S.-Japan women's soccer game in Frisco victim of swine flu concerns
The Associated Press

TOKYO -- The U.S. women’s national team’s soccer match against Japan on May 20 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco has been canceled because of Japan’s concerns with the swine flu outbreak.
Japan canceled a tour that also included matches against the U.S. at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, on May 23 and against Canada in Toronto on May 25.
The U.S. team will play Canada on July 19 in Rochester, N.Y., and on July 22 in Charleston, S.C.
Japan’s health ministry confirmed the fourth case of swine flu on Sunday, a day after the country’s first three were reported. The ministry said the fourth case is a teenager who recently returned from Canada on a high school trip with the three others.
The Japan Football Association, which announced the decision, said it may have to pay damages for breach of contract.
“This is an unfortunate situation, but one that we had absolutely no control over,” U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a statement. “We have been assured that the risk to the participating teams is exceptionally low, but we accept the Japanese Federation’s decision not to travel.”
For the game in Frisco, all Internet and phone orders will be automatically refunded with a confirmation sent via e-mail. Tickets purchased at Ticketmaster outlets or ticket centers must be returned to the location to obtain a refund. Orders processed at Pizza Hut Park or U.S. Soccer will be refunded by the respective offices.
For questions about a refund, contact Ticketmaster at 214-373-8000 or Pizza Hut Park at 888-323-4625.
FC Dallas players chosen
Brek Shea, Peri Marosevic, Anthony Wallace, Josh Lambo and Kyle Davies of FC Dallas have been added to the U.S. Under-20 men’s national team for domestic training camp in Sarasota, Fla., from May 23-28, in conjunction with the Development Academy Spring Showcase. The U.S. will play two friendly matches against Costa Rica on May 25 and May 27.



The United States and the European Union have urged travellers to Mexico to exercise

caution, amid concerns over the spread of the swine flu virus.

Mexico fears the virus has claimed as many as 149 lives there. Cases are also confirmed in Canada, the US and Spain.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US - which has 40 confirmed cases - was taking the issue "very seriously".

World Health Organization (WHO) experts are meeting to consider raising the global pandemic alert level.


The UN has warned that the virus has the potential to become a pandemic. But it says the world is better prepared than ever to deal with the threat.