a 3-1 victory for the MLS All-Stars against Mexican club CD Guadalajara (Chivas) -- and MLS Cup 2003 -- a thrilling 4-2 win for the San Jose Earthquakes against the Chicago Fire.
This year's MLS Cup, which will be broadcast live on ABC, will be the third league championship contested in Southern California. In addition to last year's game, the Chicago Fire defeated D.C. United in the 1998 title match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
The HDC opened on June 7, 2003, with much fanfare, as soccer elite in the USA hailed the nation's second soccer-specific stadium -- following the 1999 opening of Columbus Crew Stadium -- as a further sign that U.S. soccer is on the rise. As part of the festivities, Brazilian national team and North American Soccer League legend Pele participated in a ceremonial first kick before a raucous sell-out crowd of 27,000 fans.
Throughout 2003 and early 2004, the building has hosted several soccer events in addition to the MLS All-Star and MLS Cup games, including six FIFA Women's World Cup contests and several games during InterLiga, an eight-team tournament through which two Mexican teams qualified for the Copa Libertadores, the South American club championship. The facilities have also played host to several U.S. men's and women's national team training camps.
The Los Angeles Galaxy, who play all of their home games at the HDC, have seen overwhelming support there. The Galaxy led the league in average attendance during the 2003 season, including three sell-outs and crowds of more than 20,000 fans for 11 of 15 home games. Already this season, the Galaxy have played before just one crowd of less than 20,000 people.
In addition to the main soccer stadium, the HDC includes facilities for tennis, track and field, cycling, softball, volleyball, baseball and basketball. It is also the summer training camp site for the NFL's San Diego Chargers.
Tickets for MLS' ninth championship game are included in the Galaxy's full season plan; the exclusive opportunity for additional purchase will be made available to Los Angeles Galaxy season-ticket holders beginning on June 24 and continuing through Friday, July 9 -- prior to going on sale to the general public on Saturday, July 10. Owners of season-ticket plans for the league's other nine teams will also have the opportunity to purchase advance-sale MLS Cup 2004 tickets from Monday, June 28 through Friday, July 9, prior to the public sale date.
Single-game prices for the Cup range from $23 to $55, across five pricing levels. Groups of 20 or more in each seating level range from $20 to $40. Tickets go on sale at The Home Depot Center, STAPLES Center and all TicketMaster outlets Saturday morning, July 10, at 10 a.m. ET For more information, call the Galaxy toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
