Take two... Fire starts second leg of preseason today in Southern California
The Chicago Fire closed a four-day stay in Chicago this morning, when the squad traveled to The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., for the second leg of its 2007 preseason. The Fire will spend a dozen days training at The Home Depot Center and participate in at least three confirmed scrimmages - two against HDC residents Chivas USA (March 3) and the Los Angeles Galaxy (March 6), and a third against collegiate power UCLA (March 9). The Chicago club has also announced a change to the third leg of its preseason itinerary, as the "Men in Red" will return to South Florida, this time for a weeklong stay in Ft. Lauderdale. The trip, which will take place from March 18-25, will finish with an exhibition contest against United Soccer Leagues First Division squad Miami FC on March 24. A time and location for the match, and any additional scrimmages taking place during the Florida leg, will be announced at a later date.
2007 Chicago Fire Preseason Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Site | Score/Time | Record |
| 2-10 | Univ. of South Florida | IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. | 4-0 W | 1-0-0 |
| 2-10 | U.S. U-17 Men's National Team | IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. | 2-0 W | 2-0-0 |
| 2-13 | Columbus Crew | IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. | 0-0 T | 2-0-1 |
| 2-16 | Real Salt Lake | Disney's Wide World of Sports - Lake Buena Vista, Fla. | 2-1 W | 3-0-1 |
| 2-18 | Houston Dynamo | Disney's Wide World of Sports - Lake Buena Vista, Fla. | 1-3 L | 3-1-1 |
| 2-21 | Kansas City Wizards | IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. | 0-4 L | 3-2-1 |
| 3-03 | Chivas USA | The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif. | 11:00 a.m. PT | |
| 3-06 | Los Angeles Galaxy | The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif. | 9:30 a.m. PT | |
| 3-09 | UCLA | The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif. | 10:00 a.m. PT | |
| 3-17 | FC Dallas | Univ. of Oklahoma, John Crain Field - Norman, Okla. | TBA | |
| 3-24 | Miami FC (USL1) | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Site TBA) | TBA | |
| 3-31 | Chivas USA | M&F Bank Stadium - Ridgeland, Miss. | 7:30 p.m. CT |
Boa vinda, Thiago! Midfielder rejoins Fire in California
Brazilian playmaker Thiago is expected to convene with the rest of the "Men in Red" when the squad touches down in the Los Angeles area this afternoon. The third-year midfielder's return had been previously delayed due to work visa-related issues throughout the first leg of the team's preseason training. Thiago is currently one of four Senior International players on the Fire roster, joining midfielders Pascal Bedrossian and Ivan Guerrero and defender Gonzalo Segares.
Singles night(s) at TOYOTA PARK? Individual Fire game tickets to go on sale Monday, March 5
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that single game tickets for the 2007 Chicago Fire regular season will go on sale beginning at 10:00 a.m. CT next Monday, March 5. Fans can purchase tickets through any Ticketmaster outlet, by dialing 888-MLS-FIRE, or in person at the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office (7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview), Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT. Single game tickets for the much-anticipated Los Angeles Galaxy match on Oct. 21 will not go on sale next Monday, but seats to the big game are currently available through a number of Chicago Fire season ticket and group packages.
U.S. Men's Coach Bob Bradley Named Keynote Speaker for Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon
The FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK), the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire, is proud to announce that U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach and former Fire Head Coach Bob Bradley will serve as the Keynote Speaker for the charity's 2007 Season Kickoff Luncheon, sponsored by Ticketmaster, on Tuesday, April 3. The luncheon will be held at the Hilton Chicago, located at 720 S. Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago, beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT.
The Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon will provide Chicago soccer fans the first opportunity of the year to meet their favorite Fire players and coaches, and will be one of the few events of the season featuring the club's full roster. The event includes a reception followed by lunch and a short program and also features the popular silent auction, which will include Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates and much more. Tables of 10 cost $550 and individual tickets are $65 each, and the first 20 full paid tables will get to sit with a Chicago Fire player (individual player appearances are tentative and subject to change). This popular event will sell out, so act quickly and order your tickets today. For more information on the Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon or to purchase tickets for the event, please call the FWFK Foundation at 708-496-6740.
Sarachan and Co. cut to the chase for Thursday's MLS roster compliance deadline
In accordance with Major League Soccer's mandated roster and salary deadline set for this Thursday, March 1, Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan and staff will trim the team's 35-man preseason roster down to a final 28-man squad. All MLS teams must be in roster and salary compliance (18 Senior Roster, 10 Developmental Roster, 4 Senior International players) by the end of the day Thursday. Barring any future player trades or waivers, the final 28-man "Men in Red" roster will be the same group of players Sarachan keeps until the Chicago Fire season opener at TOYOTA PARK on April 7 versus the New England Revolution.
Chicago Fire Business Alliance to host Fire Corporate Reception at TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club on March 1
The Chicago Fire Business Alliance will hold its first event of 2007 this Thursday, March 1 with the Chicago Fire Corporate Reception at TOYOTA PARK's Stadium Club, located at 7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview. The event runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. CT. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes tour of TOYOTA PARK and will have an opportunity to win exclusive Chicago Fire and MLS memorabilia, including a soccer ball autographed by Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham. Invited guests will also have the opportunity to learn about the Fire's Employee and Client Programs and Corporate Hospitality options for their companies. In addition, Levy Restaurants will provide complimentary food and beverages for the 500-plus invitees at the reception, which provides an excellent business-to-business networking opportunity. The deadline to RSVP for Thursday's reception has been extended to Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 5:00 p.m. CT, and those interested in attending can reserve their spot by calling 708-496-6868 or emailing corporatereception@chicago-fire.com. For more information on the Chicago Fire Business Alliance please visit the "Tickets" section of www.Chicago-Fire.com and click on the "Fire Business Alliance" link.
"Chicago Fire 5-Pack" - including Oct. 21 home finale vs. L.A. Galaxy - on sale now
Fans have yet another option when it comes to catching games at TOYOTA PARK in 2007, as a special "Chicago Fire 5-Pack" ticket package is now available. The "Chicago Fire 5-Pack" includes seats for four Chicago Fire regular season contests - April 7 vs. New England (season opener); May 27 vs. Real Salt Lake; July 12 vs. Houston Dynamo; and the much-anticipated Oct. 21 season finale against the Los Angeles Galaxy, featuring David Beckham - and a home contest during the MLS Cup Playoffs. "Chicago Fire 5-Packs" start for as low as $100 and can be purchased over the phone by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE, online by clicking here or visiting in person at the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. CT, Monday-Friday. All other Chicago Fire season ticket packages for the team's 2007 season in Bridgeview are on sale and remain at 2006 prices. People wanting more information, including all the benefits that go along with being a Fire Season Ticket Holder, are encouraged to call the Fire Ticket Hotline at 708-496-6800 or click on the "TICKETS" link at www.chicago-fire.com for more details.
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