The Chicago Fire has announced that the club will host Mexico's most famed club, 14-time Mexican League Champion Club America in the team's first international match at Bridgeview Stadium on Wednesday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m. CT. Tickets to the international friendly will go on sale next Monday, June 12 beginning at 10:00 a.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 312-559-1212. Tickets can also be purchased at the Bridgeview Stadium Box Office, located at 7000 S. Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. For more information please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE or visit www.Chicago-Fire.com.
"We are extremely proud to host our first ever international friendly against such a fine and accomplished club like Club America," said Chicago Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "Having consistently played against some of the most renowned clubs, including A.C. Milan last summer, the Fire continues to prove that the quality of play in Major League Soccer is comparable to that of the rest of the world. We are confident that fans of the Fire, America and soccer in general will enjoy a truly memorable experience -- world-class soccer at our world-class home."
The Fire is 4-2-1 all-time in international friendlies against clubs such as A.C. Milan (Italy), Hamburg FC (Germany), Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Mexico) and Legia Warsaw (Poland).
Since its creation on October 12, 1916, Club America has grown to become one of the most popular and successful clubs in Mexican soccer history. Since joining Mexico's first professional league in 1944, the club has enjoyed plenty of success, as evidenced by its record 14 League titles and six crowns in Cup competitions. America has claimed the championship of North America - the CONCACAF Champions Cup - on five occasions (1977, 1987, 1990, 1992 and 2006).
"We are excited to play the Chicago Fire, one of Major League Soccer's premiere clubs," said Fernando Perez Gavilan, Vice President of Club America. "We are extremely honored to be the first international club to play on the field of the Fire's new home, Bridgeview Stadium, which is by far the most beautiful soccer stadium in the United States. We have always enjoyed the warm welcome by our supporters in this great city and hope that they come out to enjoy what I expect will be a wonderful and exciting match."
Led by head coach Luis Fernando Tena, the "Águilas" ("Eagles") boast a star-studded roster that is expected to take the field at Bridgeview Stadium on July 12. In the back, America features one of the world's brightest young goalkeeping talents in 21-year-old Guillermo Ochoa. Ochoa has been the club's starting goalkeeper since making his debut in February 2004. Ochoa helped America to its 14th League title in 2005 (Clausura) and has been in the international spotlight since his standout performances with Mexico's Olympic squad (Athens) in 2004. America's backline includes a pair of veterans in Antonio Castro - currently with the Mexican National Team in Germany preparing for the team's first World Cup match against Iran this weekend - and Duilio Davino, who will anchor the defense once again.
Among the most acclaimed players on the squad is Mexican international Pavel Pardo, who will lead the midfield for America as he has since joining the squad in 1999. Pardo has helped America to three Mexican League Championships and joins Castro at the 2006 FIFA World Cup representing Mexico. Pardo will make his third World Cup appearance with the Mexicans this summer in Germany.
The goal scoring duties for America will fall to former Lazio and Argentine National Team forward Claudio Lopez and former Mexican international and America icon Cuauhtemoc Blanco. America's undeniable "#10" and one of Mexico's most popular figures ever, Blanco has enjoyed great success with the Mexico City club since making his debut in 1992, most recently helping the squad to its 2005 Clausura Championship. Blanco spent two seasons with Spanish side Valladolid (2000-01 and 2001-02) and represented the "Tri-colores" at the 1998 (France) and 2002 (Korea/Japan) FIFA World Cups.
