CHICAGO - The first-place Chicago Fire (11-6-2, 35 pts.) will look to push its current winning-streak to five League matches when it takes on its Eastern Conference rival, the Columbus Crew (4-10-2, 14 pts.), tomorrow afternoon in the first contest of a much anticipated soccer doubleheader at Soldier Field at 3:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2). The MLS tilt will be followed by an international friendly between two of the world's most storied teams, as Spanish superclub Real Madrid will face legendary Mexican side Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas) at 5:30 p.m. CT (ESPN Deportes). The first 5,000 kids 12 and under through the Soldier Field gates will receive a Chicago Fire mini soccer ball, courtesy of Comcast SportsNet. Fans that can't make it to the lakefront for the historic event can follow the Fire-Crew contest by tuning into WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish) or by visiting the Fire's official website, www.Chicago-Fire.com (English), where links for the Spanish and Polish language radio broadcasts can also be found.
Individual tickets for Saturday's doubleheader are still available in five of the six price groups - $40, $55, $75, $100 and $125 - and can be purchased today by calling TicketMaster at 312-559-1212 or visiting www.TicketMaster.com. Fans can purchase tickets on the day of the event at all Soldier Fields ticket windows beginning at 12:00 p.m. CT tomorrow. Fans are encouraged to arrive to and purchase their tickets at Soldier Field early on Saturday, as an extremely large crowd - including a sizable walk-up audience - and other events on the lakefront will cause delays in getting to and entering the venue.
Reminders on Parking and Prohibited Items for Saturday's Doubleheader
Fire season ticket holders and members of the media are reminded to use Parking Pass and Season Ticket #10 for tomorrow's doubleheader at Soldier Field. Fans are also reminded that no backpacks of any size will be allowed into Soldier Field tomorrow in conjunction with the stadium's security policy. For a list of other prohibited items, please visit www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew
Saturday, July 16 @ 3:00 p.m. CT: Soldier Field - Chicago, IL
TV: ESPN2
Satellite: VYVX Conf #1870378
Audio: WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish), WNVR 1030 AM (Polish), www.Chicago-Fire.com (English)
Chicago Fire AthletiCo Injury Report
Capano, Craig - L torn ACL surgery - Out
Jaqua, Nate - L ankle bone bruise - Questionable
Pickens, Matt - R groin strain - Out
Thiago - L knee ligament tear - Out
Thorrington, John - L hamstring strain - Out
Series History vs. Columbus
The Fire and Crew have met just once so far in 2005, with Chicago taking a 2-0 decision on the road at Crew Stadium on Apr. 30, a result that bumped the Fire's all-time regular season mark against Columbus to 13-8-4. The "Men in Red" have defended their home turf well against Columbus, as the Fire will carry its 8-3-1 home record in regular season play against the Crew into Soldier Field on Saturday.
Fire to Hold Annual "Camera Day" Saturday at Soldier Field
The Chicago Fire will hold its annual "Camera Day" this Saturday, July 16, prior to the Fire's Eastern Conference match-up against the Columbus Crew. Members of the "Men in Red" will be made available to their fans for snapshots from 1:00-1:45 p.m. in the east side colonnades at Soldier Field. Fans are reminded that while cameras can be brought into Soldier Field for that day's doubleheader, no backpacks of any sort or size will be allowed into the stadium on Saturday.
Quick Kicks vs. Columbus Crew
