The U.S. men’s national soccer team will matchup against Mexico in the sold-out 2019 Gold Cup Finals on Sunday at Soldier Field.
In preparation for the finals — the first time the two countries have faced-off in the finals since 2011 — CONCACAF has opened the Gold Cup Station in the Union Station’s Great Hall until Sunday.
The fan zone will allow fans to test their skills with a soccer reflex game, radar gun speed kick challenge, soccer billiards and a Toyota gaming station.
“As much as it belongs to the players on the field, the sport belongs to the fans,” CONCACAF Chief Commercial Officer Heidi Pellerano said during the Gold Cup Station’s launch. “This is the least we can do to connect with our fans and give our sponsors the opportunity to connect with our fans directly.”
Attendees will also the chance to take pictures with a replica of the Gold Cup trophy and shop at the Gold Cup retail storefront.
Brian McBride, 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup MVP, was at the Gold Cup Station’s launch signing autographs, taking pictures with fans and even participated in the interactive challenges.
He said the interactions between players and fans make a huge difference because they nurture the love of soccer since fans get to actively participate with the sport.
“Things like this bring awareness to not only the fact the Gold Cup is here, but to soccer in general,” McBride said. “If you ask anybody that doesn’t really follow the national teams, they probably wouldn’t know what CONCACAF is.”
CONCACAF is one of FIFA’s six continental governing bodies for soccer.
The U.S. women’s national team has won eight of the 10 Women’s Gold Cups while the men’s national team has won six Gold Cups.
With the women’s national team matching-up against the Netherlands in the World Cup Finals, Sunday could be the first day in U.S. soccer history in which both national soccer teams win a title.
“The impact of having both the men’s and women’s team win on Sunday would be hugely impactful and a positive source of news for soccer across the U.S.,” McBride said.
Sunday will mark the third-time Soldier Field will host the Gold Cups finals since 2007.
The men’s national team defeated Mexico 2-1 in the finals in 2007 and beat Panama 1-0 in the finals in 2013.
“It’s the best sports city in the world,” McBride said. “I had a chance to see it in 2013 and it would be great for that to happen again. Not only for the city of Chicago but more importantly for the players to really have some positivity going forward.”