PLAYERS REPORT TO TOYOTA PARK FOR PRESEASON
Fire players will reconvene at TOYOTA PARK for team physicals on Monday, Feb. 4, and Tuesday, Feb. 5, before departing for Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Included in the list of returning "Men in Red" are Fire forward Chris Rolfe and midfielder Justin Mapp, who are back after training with the U.S. Men's National Team. Fire players and coaching staff will be available to the media on Tuesday, from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT in the TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club. The Chicago Fire's 2008 preseason will once again begin at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. from Feb. 6-20.
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.
CHICAGO FIRE WEEKLY AGENDA
** Sites/times subject to change. All times Central.
Monday, Feb. 4 Team physicals at TOYOTA PARK, 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 5 Team training, 9:00 a.m., media meet-and-greet, 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 6 Depart for Bradenton, Fla.
Thursday, Feb. 7 Training at IMG Academy, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 8 Training at IMG Academy, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9 Scrimmage vs. U.S. U-17 National Team, 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, Feb. 10 Training TBD
TOMASZ FRANKOWSKI JOINS FIRE FOR PRESEASON
The Chicago Fire announced Monday that Polish international Tomasz Frankowski has accepted an invitation to join the team for preseason training. Frankowski will take part in medical examinations with the Fire first team and depart for Florida preseason training on Wednesday.
The Bialystok, Poland native began his career with Jagiellonia Bialystok in 1991 and has since played for clubs in Poland, France, Japan, Spain, and England, most recently with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Polish striker spent the majority of his career (177 appearances) with Polish side Wisla Krakow, helping the club to five Polish Championships (1999, 2001, and 2003-05) and two Polish Cups (2002 and 2003). Frankowski took home the title of top scorer in the Polish premier league, the Orange Ekstraklasa, three times (1999, 2001, and 2005). Frankowski has also recorded 10 goals for the Polish National Team in 20 appearances.
PICKENS NOT WITH FIRE FOR 2008
The Chicago Fire announced Monday that the club will not re-sign former Chicago Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens, as he looks to pursue opportunities abroad. Pickens played four seasons (2004-07) with the Fire, 40 games - 38 starts, and was the team's starting goalkeeper since September of 2006. Pickens' contract with the Fire ended as of Dec. 2007. Pickens, 25, leaves the "Men in Red" after setting the club's single season shutout record with 10 in 2007, while posting a 1.20 career goals against average.
The six-foot, three-inch Washington, Mo. native was a member of the 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup-winning Fire squad and also helped Chicago to the finals of 2007 MLS Eastern Conference Championship. Pickens is one of two Fire players to have taken home the MLS Player of the Month award twice (Oct. 2007, Sept. 2006). The Chicago Fire Reserves (now Premier) product registered 159 saves and leaves the Fire with a career record of 16-13-11.
CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY WEEKLY AGENDA
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708-496-6577 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Monday, Feb. 4 Training at Lake Forest Academy, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 5 Training at Bridgeview Golf Dome, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 6 OFF
Thursday, Feb. 7 Training at DeKalb Sports & Rec. Center Field House, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 8 OFF
Saturday, Feb. 9 OFF
Sunday, Feb. 10 Training at Bridgeview Golf Dome, 7:00 a.m.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYM
Chicago Fire Soccer sends happy birthday wishes to Fire President/GM John Guppy (Feb. 5).
BARCLAY'S CHURCHILL CUP AT TOYOTA PARK ON JUNE 21
The Barclay's Churchill Cup rugby tournament will come to TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, June 21. The Barclays Churchill Cup is the biggest international rugby tournament in North America and is an alliance tournament between the rugby unions of Canada, England, the United States. Six teams will participate in this year's Cup - United States, Canada, England Saxons, Scotland A, Ireland A and Argentina. In the U.S.-based leg of the Barclays Churchill Cup, the tournament will feature all six international teams in a triple header of the final matches at TOYOTA PARK. A special presale is now available for all Chicago Fire Full, Half, and Flex ticket plan holders. For more information on the Barclays' Churchill Cup, visit www.barclayschurchillcuprugby.com.
