CONGRATULATIONS ALTIMONT ‘Freddie’ BUTLER!
Former HVFC midfielder, RUSH Jamaica Academy Technical Director, and Reggae Boyz Under 20 Coach Altimont ‘Freddie’ Butler is being honoured as part of the original San Jose Earthquakes roster in the inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) season 1996, some 20 years ago.
He was officially the first ever Jamaican player to play in the MLS. He departs the island on Thursday for at least a week, to go to in New York before joining his former teammates in California over the weekend.
Congratulations Freddie B!
In February 1996, the San Jose Clash of Major League Soccer (MLS) drafted Butler in the second round (eighteenth overall) of the league’s Inaugural Player Draft. He spent the 1996 season in San Jose before being traded to the Columbus Crew for Mac Cozier on November 6, 1996.
The San Jose Earthquakes will hold a 20th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 2, when D.C. United comes to Avaya Stadium, presented by Gyft. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will be a recreation of Major League Soccer’s inaugural match at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on April 6, 1996, almost exactly 20 years to the day.
At halftime, the Quakes will honor former San Jose Clash players and staff, as well as MLS representatives that made the inaugural season possible. The Earthquakes will also recognize the team’s original President Peter Bridgwater, who passed away in 2005.
Fans in attendance will be treated to several ‘throwback’ items as part of the celebration. Replica 1996 match day magazines will be distributed and 10,000 fans will also receive a T-shirt designed after the original Clash jersey, presented by Gyft. The Earthquakes will wear special numbers on their jerseys and the game balls will have 20th anniversary branding. Additionally, a number of Clash specialty items will be sold at the Quakes Team Store, powered by Gyft.
Tickets are available at www.sjearthquakes.com, www.ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or visiting select Ticketmaster locations around the Bay Area. Groups of 10 or more can call the club’s Front Office at 408-556-7700.
Tickets can also be purchased at the Avaya Stadium Box Office.