MLS Chicago Fire FC

Three Fire Players Recieve Gold Cup Call

Published on June 25, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (June 25, 2009) - Chicago Fire Soccer announced today that three players have been called to represent their countries for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup from July 3-26. United States Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch and midfielder Logan Pause to the 23-man roster that will seek to defend their 2005 & 2007 Gold Cup titles. Fire defender Gonzalo Segares has been tabbed to represent Costa Rica in the upcoming tournament as well.

Busch is one of three goalkeepers named to the USA's Gold Cup roster and since the USA will travel only two goalkeepers, he will remain with the Fire unless needed due to suspension or injury. The Fire's goalkeeper was called into the annual U.S. Men's National Team January camp earlier this year due to his exceptional play during the 2008 season in which he earned MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Busch earned his first "cap" with the U.S. Men's National Team on March 9, 2005, shutting out Colombia 3-0 in a friendly.

Pause will look to record his first career full U.S. Men's National Team cap during the 2009 Gold Cup. The North Caroline native appeared in four of the USA's U-23 matches in the 2004 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament, as well as appearing for the USA at the U-16 and U-18 levels. Pause has started and played in all 14 of the Fire's MLS regular season matches so far this season and has played in no less than 21 of the Fire's league matches throughout his previous six seasons with Chicago.

The USA will begin the 2009 Gold Cup tournament on July 4 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington against Grenada. Kickoff is set of 8 p.m. CT and the match will be televised live on both Fox Soccer Channel and TeleFutura.

Segares began his international career for Costa Rica in 2007 when the Fire defender was called up for friendly matches against Honduras and Canada. Since then, Segares has appeared in eight World Cup Qualifiers for his country most recently playing 90 minutes in a 3-2 win over Trinidad and Tobago on June 6. Segares and Costa Rica will first face El Salvador at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California out July 3 at 9 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on TeleFutura.

"It is always an honor to be called to your national team, particularly for a competition like the Gold Cup," said Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas. "While Logan and Gonzalo, as well as potentially Jon, will be missed during their absence, this tournament offers a great opportunity to represent their countries and gain international experience. The call-ups are well deserved opportunities for these three players."

ABOUT CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER

Chicago Fire Soccer was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer expansion team. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and was crowned the champion of U.S. Soccer's national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. In June 2006, the Fire moved into its world-class home of TOYOTA PARK, located in Bridgeview, IL.

ABOUT TOYOTA PARK

Located 15 minutes from downtown Chicago and minutes from Midway airport off of I-55 on Harlem Avenue, TOYOTA PARK is the Midwest's preeminent outdoor live entertainment and sporting facility. Opened in 2006, TOYOTA PARK not only serves as the home of the Chicago Fire, but also hosts a variety of sporting events, special events and concerts by national and international artists. In 2009, artists ranging from Jimmy Buffett to Phish will perform live at TOYOTA PARK.

ABOUT CONCACAF Gold Cup™

The CONCACAF Gold Cup™ is CONCACAF's showpiece event for men's national teams as it crowns the regional champion. The USA won the inaugural competition in 1991, defeating Honduras before 40,000 fans at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum in California. Mexico then won three consecutive titles, the third in 1998 before a crowd of 91,000 in Los Angeles, before Canada won its first major international honor in more than 100 years of football history in 2000. After the USA claimed the 2002 title, Mexico returned to the top of the Confederation with their fourth crown in 2003. The 2005 and 2007 editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup™ were won by the USA.

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