Chicago Fire Soccer announced today that former Fire head coach Bob Bradley will be inducted into the prestigious "Ring of Fire" on Aug. 4, in a pre-game ceremony at TOYOTA PARK before the "Men in Red" take on the Columbus Crew (7:30 p.m. CT, HDNet). Bradley, who is currently serving as the U.S. Men's National Team head coach, and fellow inductees Peter Wilt, Peter Nowak, and Frank Klopas will also be in attendance for a 90-minute pre-game reception from 6:00-7:30 p.m. CT to celebrate the induction. Two separate packages to attend the reception are now available for fans to purchase through the FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK).
Bradley patrolled the Fire sideline from the team's inaugural season in 1998 until 2002, posting an impressive record of 82-54-15 during the club's first five years. The former Fire boss also led the "Men in Red" to three championship victories in that time: the 1998 MLS Cup and the 1998 and 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups. While with the Fire, Bradley's 82 victories made him the winningest coach in MLS history, a title he still holds today with 124 MLS career wins through nine seasons, including stints with the MetroStars (2003-2005) and Chivas USA (2006).
Bradley has led the U.S. Men's National Team to a 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship, qualifying the team for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and currently holds a 10-0-1 overall mark since taking over the squad in December of 2006.
"I am thrilled to announce Bob Bradley as our latest Ring of Fire inductee," said Chicago Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "Bob was an instrumental part of the initial years of this team, helping to instill a winning tradition in the Fire that we carry on today. We are pleased to see that his tenure as head coach of the U.S. Men's National team has continued that string of success and it is an honor to add Bob Bradley's name to our Hall of Fame."
Packages for fans who already have a game ticket are $65 and include the pre-game reception on the TOYOTA PARK rooftop party deck, with access during the reception and throughout the game. A $100 package is also available, which includes a ticket to the game in the lower bowl, as well as the pre-game rooftop reception before and during the game. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and appetizers are included in both rooftop packages and will be served from 6:00-7:30 p.m. CT.
Proceeds from the packages will benefit the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, which has helped the Chicago Fire contribute to the community through grants and charitable contributions since 1998. The FWFK mission is to promote recreational and educational opportunities for disadvantaged children throughout the Chicagoland area.
For more information on the Ring of Fire reception, including how to purchase tickets for the event, please call the FWFK Foundation at 708-496-6728.
About the Ring of Fire
The "Ring of Fire" tribute began in 2003 in an effort to honor members of the Chicago Fire who have made the team a successful organization and who displayed the qualities the club embodies: leadership, dedication and integrity. The Fire's unique Hall of Fame - the first created by any Major League Soccer club - began in 2003, when then-General Manager Peter Wilt chose former Fire captain Peter Nowak to become the inaugural member. Since then, only active members have voted on the next honoree. Nowak chose a hometown hero into the select group in 2004 by nominating Chicago native Frank Klopas. Former Fire defender Lubos Kubik was bestowed the honor in 2005, while in 2006 the award went full circle with the induction of Wilt into the "Ring of Fire." In honor of each inductee, a banner with each member's name is emblazoned upon a large, jersey-style metallic banner displayed on the east side of TOYOTA PARK.
