Chicago Fire Soccer has scheduled its fourth international friendly of the 2007 campaign, as the Chicago Fire are set to play Club Deportivo Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, or simply Cruz Azul, of the Mexican Primera División on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at TOYOTA PARK. Kick-off for the exhibition match in Bridgeview, Ill. is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, for the Fire's first-ever match against the Mexico City, Mexico-based club. Fire season ticket holders and media are asked to use Bonus Game B tickets and parking passes for the exhibition match.
"This will be another test to see how well we can play against strong competition," said Fire Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "I expect the teams will come out and play their best because both will be in mid-season form and will want to give the fans a good show."
Cruz Azul have won the Primera División championship eight times, tied with Club Deportivo Toluca and behind Club América (10) and Club Deportivo Guadalajara (11). "Los Cementeros" were most successful throughout the '70s, winning the league title six times between 1970 and 1980 that earned the club the nickname "La Máquina", or The Machine, which is still used as the unofficial nickname today. Cruz Azul are tied with Club América for most CONCACAF Champions' Cup titles with five (1969, 1970, 1971, 1996, 1997).
The Fire have played in two of three scheduled "friendlies" versus international competition this season. The "Men in Red" first faced Polish side MKS Cracovia on June 22 and took away a hard-fought 1-0 win, then drew 1-1 with Scottish power Celtic FC a month later on July 22. Three days later the Fire were to meet Santos Laguna of the Mexican Primera División in La Joya, Texas, but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather.
