WHO

Al-Hilal FC vs. New York Cosmos

WHEN & WHERE

Saturday, May 20 (Kick-off: 1:45 PM ET) | Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia   

WATCH & FOLLOW

• Follow @NYCosmos and #HFCvNYC on Twitter for updates
• Watch on BeIN Sports Connect 6 Live Stream 

THE STAKES

The New York Cosmos will play an exhibition match against Al-Hilal of the Saudi Professional League in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, May 20th.

New York is ready for a new challenge following their 3-2 loss to Reading United in the Second Round of the US Open Cup. Saturday's game will provide a morale booster, as well as add to the club's growing list of historic friendly matches. The Cosmos made headlines in June 2015, becoming the first US sports team to visit Havana in 16 years when they played the Cuban National Team.

The team last traveled to the Middle East during the 2014 preseason, playing three friendlies in the United Arab Emirates.

Al-Hilal is the most decorated professional football club in Saudi Arabia, boasting 56 official titles, including 14 league titles, a record 13 Crown Prince Cups, and two AFC Champions League trophies. In 2001, The Royal Club qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup. In 2009, Al-Hilal was named Asian Club of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics. The club will be celebrating its 60th anniversary later this year.

Al-Hilal has completed the 2016-17 Saudi Professional League season, earning their 14th league title. The team's joint top scorers, midfielder, Carlos Eduardo, and striker, Léo Bonatini, each finished the season with 12 goals.

Al-Hilal added another trophy to their collection ahead of the match against the Cosmos, beating Al-Ahli 3-2 in the final of the Saudi King Cup.

MATCHUP HISTORY

Saturday's game will be the first ever meeting between Al-Hilal FC and the New York Cosmos.

NOTES

Blast From the Past

Current Al-Hilal manager, Ramón Díaz, played against the New York Cosmos with River Plate in 1980. He won five titles with the club and also won the FIFA Youth World Championship in 1979.

Titans of Travel

The Cosmos have visited 47 nations, playing 127 games on foreign soil. The contest against Al-Hilal will be New York's 187th international match, including those played in the US.

NASL Team of the Week

Defender, Ryan Richter, midfielder, Emmanuel Ledesma, and midfielder, Walter Restrepo. were named to the NASL Team of the Week for Week 8 of the 2017 Spring Season. All three players made significant contributions in the Cosmos' 4-3 win against Puerto Rico FC on May 14th. Richter scored one of the goals, winning four of his five duels, and contributing three clearances, as well as three interceptions. Ledesma leads the team in assists with two, both of which came in the victory against PRFC. Restrepo scored the game-winning goal, his first of the season.

Success Through Scoring

The Cosmos are third in the NASL in goals scored (9) and second in goals conversion (16%).

Fab Five

New York is riding off a five-game unbeaten run in the NASL Spring Season, and have yet to lose on the road this year.