Valencia in Canada: Los Che fall to New York Cosmos in Regina

Valencia CF's first journey to Canada ended in defeat.

On Saturday, in a friendly at the Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan, Valencia suffered a 2-0 loss to the North American Soccer League's New York Cosmos in what was the Spanish club's first-ever game in the country. The goals were produced by Eric Calvillo and Emmanuel Ledesma, the latter of whom scored by rocketing a left-footed volley past Jaume Domenech in the 77th minute.

In Regina, where the city's focus is usually on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the friendly provided locals with a change of pace and attracted tourists from across North America. Armando Espinal and his son, also Armando Espinal, who live in Chicago and Los Angeles, respectively, and who refer to themselves as "Valencianistas de corazon, de sangre, de alma," flew to Canada for the game as they never miss a chance to see Valencia when the club is playing nearby.

The elder Armando detailed his trip: "For me it was more than 16 hours of travel because I travelled to Los Angeles, from Los Angeles we went down to Calgary, from Calgary to here." He added: "It was long, but it's worth it."

The two Armandos were unable to watch Valencia manufacture a victory, but Marcelino, the club's manager, wasn't worried about the result after the game, declaring: "The result is not very important for us. We're pleased to have come here to play this match in this extraordinary stage and congratulations to the Cosmos."

Valencia's next stop on its pre-season tour is Ohio, where the club will take on the United Soccer League's FC Cincinnati on Monday.