Gutierrez Continues the Cause
Throughout this past year, Gutierrez played a very active role in the fight against malaria, serving as a national spokesperson for the Nothing But Nets campaign. Working together with MLS W.O.R.K.S, the United Nations Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the FireWorks For Kids Foundation, and other local Chicago sports, civic and faith based organizations, Diego has formed his own Nothing But Nets fundraising team to raise money to fight Malaria in Africa. During the off-season, Gutierrez will visit the country of Mali, continuing his efforts towards eradicating the disease in developing countries. For more information about the Nothing But Nets campaign or to donate, please visit nothingbutnets.net.
"Men in Red" Abroad
Fire forward Chad Barrett and midfielder Bakary Soumare are among a group of 16 Generation adidas members of MLS's brightest young talent currently participating in a three-game Generation adidas tour of Spain. The 12-day journey began on Friday, Nov. 23 and will include training sessions and matches against the reserve teams of Rayo Vallecano FC and Real Madrid. The young MLS players will also attend three matches as spectators while in Spain: this Sunday's Atletico Madrid vs. Valladolid fixture, a UEFA Champions League match between Sevilla and Arsenal on Tuesday, and next Sunday's Real Madrid vs. Racing Santandar contest. The Generation adidas group is slated to return stateside on Monday, Dec. 3.
Fire defender Wilman Conde will most likely be training in Colombia with Deportivo Cali, however he is still waiting for official permission from the league. Costa Rican international Gonzalo Segares will spend the off-season in Costa Rica, and will most likely train with the Costa Rican national team.
The Fire's Designated Player Cuauhtémoc Blanco will enjoy some well deserved rest during his time off. Of all the players on the squad, Cuauhtémoc has played the most games during the 2007 calendar year. The 34-year-old has been playing non-stop since January, competing in six Copa Libertadores and 23 Primera División matches for a total of 29 competitive contests with former team Club América before joining the "Men in Red". Combined with 14 regular season games, the Fire's friendlies on July 22 against Celtic FC and Oct. 10 versus Cruz Azul, three Thursday playoff matches versus D.C. United at home (Oct. 25) and away (Nov. 1), and in New England (Nov. 8), Blanco has played in at least 47 separate club games for 2007. Add to that number Blanco's participation in the Gold Cup (4), Copa America (4), and three friendlies with the Mexican National Team, and Blanco has played in excess of 58 games since Jan. 1. The Mexican international is vacationing in Italy, and will return to Mexico for the remainder of the off-season.
Around the Country
During his off-season, Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch will return to Columbus, Ohio to spend time with his wife Nicole as well as work with SuperKick, a Columbus-based goalkeeper development program. Busch will help to train 40-50 goalkeepers from around the Columbus area.
Several of the Fire youth will return to sunny California for their off-season training, including Berkley native Calen Carr and Palos Verdes native John Thorrington. Both plan to play and train with friends from college, while spending time at the Home Depot Center training facilities.
Who is Still Around Town?
Fire forward Chris Rolfe plans on sticking around Chicago, although last year, he flew to Costa Rica on two days notice, so anything is possible. C.J. Brown will also be in Chicago, as he continues to coach the U17 Chicago Fire Juniors Boys. Matt Pickens will be staying close to home during December and January, training at TOYOTA PARK, with a possible trip to France, as well as visits to his home town of Washington, Mo. for the holidays.
Etc.
Congratulations to Chicago Fire assistant coach Daryl Shore, who was married last Saturday to Clare Gibbs in Florida and fellow assistant coach Denis Hamlett, who will tie the knot with Jackie Sowinski this Saturday, in Chicago.
