The Chicago Fire have announced that they will play Everton FC from England's Barclays Premier League on Wednesday, July 30 at TOYOTA PARK. Kickoff for the match will be 7:30 p.m. CDT.
This is the second time the Fire has played a Premiership team as they hosted Derby County in 1999 at Soldier Field. English side Chelsea was the first Premiership club to play at TOYOTA PARK as the opponent for the 2006 Major League Soccer All-Star game.
There will be a special add on pre-sale for Chicago Fire season ticket holders as well as a discounted two-game package beginning Monday, June 2 with tickets for the general public going on sale Monday, June 16. Tickets are priced at $55, $50, $40 and $25. Groups of 15 or more can purchase tickets at a $5 discount from those prices. The special 2-pack offer includes a ticket to this match and the Sept. 6 match vs. the New York Red Bulls at TOYOTA PARK. Tickets for this offer for the two games are $80, $70, $55 and $35.
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, at the TOYOTA PARK Box Office, Chicago-Fire.com or by calling 888.MLS-FIRE.
This game will fulfill Bonus Game 3 in the Fire's Season Ticket book, replacing the cancelled Jagiellonia bonus game.
Everton finished the 2007-08 campaign in fifth place in the Premiership and has a guaranteed themselves of a return to next season's UEFA Cup.
During the league campaign the Toffees mounted a charge at fourth place right up until the end of March, and also reached the semi-final of the league cup before losing out over two legs to Chelsea. They won eight and drew one of their 10 games in the UEFA Cup and it was only a penalty shootout defeat to Fiorentina that ended their run in that competition.
American Tim Howard is the club's goalkeeper and is coming off a stellar season. Their leading scorer last year was Nigerian Yakubu, who in his first season with the club scored 21 goals. Everton's Player of the Season, Joleon Lescott, scored 10 times and was a steady, reliable performer at the back. Phil Jagielka grew into a first rate midfielder and was rewarded with an England call-up, while Tim Cahill and Andrew Johnson both hit double figures in goals scored.
This will be the second International Friendly at TOYOTA PARK this season as the Fire hosted Polish First Division side Wisla Krakow on May 21. That match ended in a 0-0 draw. Chicago is 5-4-3 in home international games since 1998.
The Fire have the weekend off from MLS action and return next Saturday, June 7 vs. D.C. United at TOYOTA PARK (7:30, Fox Soccer Channel). Tickets are still available for that match by calling 888.MLS.FIRE.
