CHICAGO, - The Chicago Fire announced that tickets sales for the international doubleheader featuring the Fire vs. New England Revolution and Mexico vs. Poland, on Wednesday, Apr. 27 at Soldier Field have surpassed the 20,000 mark two weeks prior to the game. As part of the Coca-Cola Presents Real Mexican Soccer tour, Mexico vs. Poland, featuring Cingular Wireless as title sponsor, will follow the Eastern Conference showdown between the Fire and Revolution at 6:00 p.m. CT.
Tickets to the doubleheader, ranging in price from $30 to $75, are on sale to the general public via Ticketmaster by 312-559-1212 or at www.ticketmaster.com. Each side of passionate fans will have its own designated area, as the Mexican supporters block will be located on the northwest side of Soldier Field, while Polish fans will be seated on the southeast side of stadium.
The international doubleheader will be the Fire's second such event in as many years, and will once again feature the Polish National Team. In 2004, the "Men in Red" hosted an audience of 39,529 for a friendly between Poland and the United States on July 11, with the event helping the Fire garner its largest crowd in history for an MLS match.
The most recent encounter between Mexico and Poland took place during the fall of 1993 in Oakland, California. On that occasion, Mexico and Poland played to a scoreless tie. Poland has visited the Windy City four times, the last of which came during last year's visit to Soldier Field in its 1-1 draw with the U.S. In 1990, Poland defeated Costa Rica 2-0 in Chicago, one of the goals scored by former Chicago Fire star and current head coach of MLS Cup champion, D.C. United, Peter Nowak.
Both countries are currently in the midst of regional qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup, which will be held in Germany. Mexico, coached by Argentine Ricardo Lavolpe, defeated Costa Rica, United States and Trinidad and Tobago, and sits in first place with seven points in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying. The "Tricolores" will travel to Guatemala for a June 4 match in the next World Cup qualifier.
Poland, coached by Pawel Janas, stands in second place in Group 6 of UEFA World Cup qualifying with 15 points (five wins, one loss). Janas and his team will travel to the United States in preparation for its next World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on June 4.
