The Chicago Fire announced today that the team's 2008 preseason will once again begin at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. from Feb. 6-20. Fire players will report to TOYOTA PARK for team physicals on Monday, Feb. 4, before departing for Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Fire players and coaching staff will be available to the media on Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT in the TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club.
While in Florida, head coach Denis Hamlett's squad will face the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team (Saturday, Feb. 9), Columbus Crew (Wednesday, Feb. 13), Kansas City Wizards (Saturday, Feb. 16), and Toronto FC (Wednesday, Feb. 20) during the club's first leg of training. The "Men in Red" will begin from a familiar starting point, as IMG Academy, home of U.S. Soccer's Under-17 Residency Program, has been the spring home for the Fire in each of Chicago's five previous seasons.
Chicago Fire 2008 Preseason calendar (subject to change)
Feb. 4: TOYOTA PARK in Bridgeview, Ill - preseason physicals
Feb. 5: TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club - staff and players available to media from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT
Feb. 6-20: IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
• Feb. 9 vs. U.S. U-17 National Team (9:00 a.m. CT)
• Feb. 13 vs. Columbus Crew (9:00 a.m. CT)
• Feb. 16 vs. Kansas City Wizards (9:00 a.m. CT)
• Feb. 20 vs. Toronto FC (9:00 a.m. CT)
