CONCACAF FINAL ROUND QUALIFYING DRAW TO TAKE PLACE ON NOV. 22 IN JOHANNESBURG

Courtesy OF U.S. Soccer Communications:

CONCACAF FINAL ROUND QUALIFYING DRAW TO TAKE PLACE ON NOV. 22 IN JOHANNESBURG

Draw for 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Will Be Held the Same Day
U.S. to Play Final Match of Semifinal Phase on Nov. 19 Against Guatemala in Colorado

CHICAGO (Nov. 7, 2008) — FIFA has announced that the draw to determine the placement of teams in the CONCACAF Final Round hexagonal for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying will take place on Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. local time in Johannesburg. Teams will learn their opponents as well as home and away dates for all 10 Final Round qualifiers that will determine the three automatic berths for CONCACAF in 2010 in South Africa.

The United States, Costa Rica and El Salvador have already advanced to the Final Round, with the remaining three teams to be determined on Nov. 19 on the final matchday of the semifinal phase. Following the announcement, FIFA will conduct the draw for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup that will be held from June 14-28 in South Africa.

The United States will participate along with hosts South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, New Zealand and Spain. The U.S. has locked up first place in Group 1 of the Semifinal Round of FIFA World Cup qualifying, holding 12 points from five matches. The other participant from the group to advance will be determined on the final matchday, as Trinidad & Tobago holds a three point lead over Guatemala. The Guatemalans will be pressing for a victory against the U.S. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., needing a win to keep their dreams of advancement alive. T&T will be hosting Cuba on the same day, with both matches kicking off at 6 p.m. MT.

Tickets are still available for the USA’s first-ever World Cup qualifier in the state of Colorado. The U.S. will be conducting a camp in Colorado next week for MLS players who have completed their season. The roster for the players who will train in advance of the qualifier against Guatemala will be announced Nov. 16 in Denver.

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