MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire to Face Deportivo Saprissa in CONCACAF Champions Cup Semis

Published on March 26, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Friday, March 26, 2004) - After rallying past Trinidad & Tobago Champions CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh by a 6-5 aggregate margin in the 2004 CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals, the Chicago Fire has advanced to the tournament's semifinal round where it will face Costa Rican powerhouse Deportivo Saprissa in a home-and-home series next month. The Fire will travel to San Jose, Costa Rica for the first leg on Wednesday, Apr. 14 at 8:00 p.m. CT at National Stadium. The Fire will then host the Central Americans in the return leg one week later on Apr. 21 at Soldier Field at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the return leg will go on sale this Monday, Mar. 29 at 10:00 a.m. CT. Fire season ticket holders will be able to use "Bonus Ticket B" for the CONCACAF semifinal match; media shall use "Parking Pass B."

"This is a great opportunity to advance to the championship of the most prestigious tournament in this region of the world," said Fire General Manager Peter Wilt.

Deportivo Saprissa advanced out of the quarterfinals of the regional tournament by defeating Mexican side CF Pachuca on penalty kicks on Wednesday evening. After taking last Wednesday's first leg 2-0 in San José, Saprissa fell in yesterday's return leg in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico by a similar 2-0 score line, deadlocking the aggregate goals series at 2-2. Thirty minutes of overtime finished scoreless causing the series to be decided on penalty kicks, which Saprissa won easily by a 3-0 margin. The win marked the first time a Costa Rican team emerged victorious against a Mexican opponent in the prestigious tournament.

Deportivo Saprissa has established itself as one of the most dominant clubs in Costa Rica since its inception in 1935. In its nearly 70 years of competition, Saprissa has captured 22 domestic titles (including six consecutive titles from 1972-1977), second only to rival Alajuelense's 23 crowns, and have finished second 15 times, including during the 2002/2003 season. Saprissa has also tasted success in the Champions Cup after winning the regional crown in 1993 and 1995.

"Los Morados" are currently second in the Costa Rican First Division's 2004 Clausura season with an 8-2-3 record, their 27 points placing them five behind current leader Club Sport Herediano with eight games remaining in the season.

A pair of familiar figures to fans of the sport in the CONCACAF region leads Saprissa off the field. Saprissa is owned by Jorge Vergara, the outspoken Mexican businessman and owner of Chivas of Guadalajara who has also garnered headlines in the United States via his future expansion into the ranks of Major League Soccer. After beginning and ending his 17-year professional career with Saprissa, popular forward Hernán Medford became the club's Technical Director in 2003. The longtime member of the Costa Rican National Team suited up for the "Ticos" in both the 1990 and 2002 World Cups. Medford began his career with Saprissa in 1985 and also plied his trade with first division teams in Croatia (Dinamo Zagreb), Austria (Rapid), Spain (Rayo Vallecano) and Mexico (Leon, Pachuca and Necaxa) before returning to Saprissa to finish his professional playing days in 2002.

On the field, Saprissa is led by forward Alvaro Sabario, who sits atop the 2003-04 season standings with 22 goals to go along with 12 assists, which place him second on the club. Two other members of the Morados also rank in the top five goal-scorers in the league - forward Alonso Solaris (15 goals, 4th place) and midfielder Gerald Drummond (13 goals, 5th place). Playmaker Wilson Centero, who last played for Greek First Division powers AEK, leads Saprissa in assists with 14 helpers on the 2003-04 campaign. The Saprissa line-up also features defender Jervis Drummond, who is a staple on the Costa Rican National Team.

Tickets for the match can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 312-559-1212 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com beginning Monday at 10:00 a.m. CT. Tickets can also be purchased at the Chicago Fire Offices, located at 980 N. Michigan, Suite 1998 (corner of Oak/Michigan) in Chicago. Ticket prices for the CONCACAF match will remain the same as prices for the Fire's 2004 MLS season contests.

The other 2004 Champions Cup semifinal will feature LD Alajuelense of Costa Rica, who knocked out the defending MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes, against Mexican side CF Monterrey, who eliminated El Salvador's CD F.A.S. The victors of both semifinal series will square off in the Champions Cup Finals on May 4 and 11.

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