Fire season ticket holders and friends of the Fire interested in purchasing 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal and final game tickets can call 888.MLS.FIRE or visit the TOYOTA PARK box office during the hours of 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT. Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster phones, outlets, and by visiting the website at www.ticketmaster.com. Fans can also purchase tickets at the Soldier Field ticket booth, open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CT (located on southeast side of stadium, near gate 10) or Chicago Fire Store Partners*.
In the first of the two semifinal games Thursday, the United States National Team, featuring Fire midfielder Justin Mapp, will face-off against their neighbor to the north, the Canadian National Team, featuring Major League Soccer stars Dwayne De Rosario, Pat Onstad, and Greg Sutton. The U.S. MNT defeated El Salvador 4-0, Guatemala 1-0, and Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in group play and took won over Panama 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Canada defeated Costa Rica 2-1 and Haiti 2-0 before and losing to Guadeloupe in group play. The "Maple Leaves" downed Guatemala 3-0 on Saturday, June 16, in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinal stage.
The second game on Thursday evening will showcase the Mexican National Team versus the National Team of Guadeloupe. Mexico, featuring soon-to-be Chicago Fire attacker Cuauhtémoc Blanco, defeated Cuba 2-1 and Panama 1-0, and lost to Honduras 2-1 during group play. The Mexican "Tricolores" downed Costa Rica thanks to an overtime goal from Jared Borgetti on Friday to clinch a spot in the semifinals against Guadeloupe.
Guadeloupe is the Cinderella story of the tournament. For the first time ever, Guadeloupe achieved a Gold Cup qualifying berth thanks to a fourth place finish in the Caribbean Tournament held in January. In group play, the tied Haiti 1-1, beat Canada 1-0, and lost to Costa Rica 1-0. The team shocked Honduras, knocking them out of the tournament 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
* CHICAGO FIRE Store Partners:
CHICAGO SOCCER
4839 N. Western Avenue
Chicago, Ill. 60625
DEPORTES PACHUCA
4020 W. 47th St.
Chicago, Ill. 60632
DEPORTES MAYA
4344 S. Archer Avenue
Chicago, Ill. 60632
OCHOA SPORTS
1749 W. 18 th St.
Chicago, Ill. 60608
PLAY SOCCER
4717 N. Clark St.
Chicago, Ill. 60640
HULAMA SPORTS
3101 W. 26th St.
Chicago, Ill. 60632
SOCCER 2000 INC
136 Ogden Avenue
Downers Grove, Ill. 60515
