CMGI Field to Host MLS Cup 2002

MLS Cup returns to Foxboro, this time in the state-of-the-art venue of CMGI Field -- home of the New England Revolution

NEW YORK (Wednesday, February 13, 2002) - Major League Soccer's premier event now calls New England's sparkling jewel, CMGI Field, home for 2002 as the state-of-the-art facility will host MLS Cup 2002, MLS Executive Vice President Mark Noonan announced today. Home of the New England Revolution, CMGI Field will host the League's seventh championship game, MLS Cup 2002, on Sunday, October 20, 2002 at 1:30 p.m. ET. The championship match will be broadcast live on ABC Sports.

Today's announcement marks the third time that Major League Soccer's champion will be crowned in New England, as the League's inaugural Cup (MLS Cup '96) and MLS Cup '99 were each played at the Revolution's former home, Foxboro Stadium. CMGI Field will be christened on Saturday, May 11, 2002, when the revamped Revolution squad hosts the Dallas Burn at 7:30 p.m. ET.

"Major League Soccer is excited to showcase our MLS Cup Championship Game at this incredible new facility," said Noonan. "Soccer fans throughout the northeast corridor have turned out in large numbers for major soccer events in Foxboro, and we look forward another thrilling Cup in New England."

The Kraft Family, owners of the Revolution and Super Bowl XXXVI Champion New England Patriots, own and operate CMGI Field, the $325 million privately-funded venue that represents the newest home for soccer in New England. Occupying more than 17 acres of land in Foxboro, Mass., CMGI Field will be a 68,000 seat, open-air facility with a natural grass playing surface. The Revolution pitch is 75 yards wide and 115 yards long, the same size as Wembley Stadium in England and Mexico's Estadio Azteca, two of soccer's most revered fields. The pitch also features a subterranean heating system which allows the grass to go dormant for a shorter period each year, giving the venue greater flexibility for scheduling purposes (see a head-to-head comparison of CMGI Field and Foxboro Stadium).

CMGI Field has a number of features that make it unique to New England heritage, including a bridge and a 10-story high lighthouse that will sit atop the North entrance and welcome visitors to the stadium. Plazas allow guests to meet and enjoy the atmosphere surrounding the stadium. With more than 350 concession stands (including 46 permanent installations on the concourse that have an uninterrupted view of the field), 1,000 television monitors, 2,000 luxury suite seats, 14,000 parking spaces and 60 bathrooms, CMGI Field promises to be one of the most convenient, family-friendly and state-of-the-art sports facilities ever constructed.

MLS Cup 2002 tickets are part of the New England Revolution season tickets, currently on sale for the state-of-the-art CMGI Field. The 2002 Revolution season ticket packages are the only way for New England sports fans to ensure access to the inaugural AND championship events at the new stadium. Season ticket prices are $192, $272 and $352 and include MLS Cup 2002, 14 Revolution regular season matches and the May 19 U.S. National Team World Cup Send Off Match vs. Holland, as well as many other benefits available through the "Center Circle" credential that will be provided to all season ticket holders. Revolution season ticket holders will also have the first opportunity for other international games, U.S. Open Cup contests and/or Revolution playoff games. Season ticket holders receive as much as 31% off the price of individual game tickets. To order season tickets or for more information, call the Revolution toll-free at 1-877-GET-REVS.

The host of Major League Soccer's inaugural Championship Game in 1996, Foxboro has often been the site for world-class soccer for more than a decade. Foxboro opened its gates to the robust Beantown soccer fans for the first time on June 1, 1991, when the U.S. Men's National Team posted a 1-1 draw with Ireland. This international friendly spawned a generation of soccer fanatics that has turned out in droves to support the hometown New England Revolution, World Cup USA '94 and the 1999 Women's World Cup, and the U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams. Nearly three million spectators entered the turnstiles at Foxboro Stadium since the famed 1991 U.S. match to support the world's most beautiful game.

With MLS Cup '99, Foxboro is the only venue to have seen two MLS Cup competitions played on its plush green pitch. On October 20, 1996, 34,643 rain-drenched fans witnessed D.C. United's grueling, come-from-behind, 3-2 sudden-death win over Western Conference powerhouse Los Angeles. On November 21, 1999, more than 44,000 fans saw the United dynasty capture its third title in four seasons with a 2-0 win over the hard-luck Galaxy, which dropped its third MLS Cup final last season against San Jose.

The Boston area's rich soccer tradition dates back to 1861, with the first formal appearance of the sport of soccer on American soil occurring at hallowed Boston Common. The city also has the distinguished honor of being the birthplace of two professional championships - the World Series in 1903 when the first-year Boston Pilgrims defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, and most recently, Major League Soccer's inaugural MLS Cup '96.

MLS Cup 2002 will feature two MLS teams vying for the league's seventh championship and possession of the Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy. Each of the two MLS Conference Champions will advance to the MLS Cup Playoffs and will be seeded 1 or 2 by virtue of greater regular season point total. In order to complete the eight-team playoff bracket, the remaining six "wild card" teams will be determined by the total number of regular season points, regardless of Conference.

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