BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The Chicago Fire (1-0-0, 3 pts.) will make its 2007 road debut against the Colorado Rapids (1-0-0, 3 pts.) this Sunday, April 15 (7:00 p.m. CT, Comcast SportsNet) at the league's latest domestic soccer-specific venue, Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. The "Men in Red" are coming off hard-fought 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution Saturday at TOYOTA PARK. The Fire scored in the 4th minute and it held up until the final whistle for Chicago's first-ever win at home in a season-opener. The match also marked the emergence of C.J. Brown as the team's career minutes played leader (19,276), surpassing former goalkeeper Zach Thornton's original record (19,205).
Chicago Fire Reserves Begin 2007 Campaign on Monday
The Chicago Fire Reserves will begin its third MLS Reserve Division campaign this Monday, April 16, when the squad hits the road to take on the reigning 2006 champion Colorado Rapids Reserves at 11:00 a.m. CT at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The 2006 Reserves saw the rise of rookie forward Calen Carr, who led the team with five goals and an assist. The Fire Reserves will once again compete in a 12-game, single-table league format, with a $20,000 team bonus awarded to the team that finishes first.
Chicago Fire/AthletiCo "Recovery Room"
Bedrossian, Pascal - R hamstring strain - DOUBTFUL
Russolillo, Jordan - L eye hyphema - OUT
Chicago Fire Weekly Agenda
** Sites/times subject to change.
Monday, April 9: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT
Tuesday, April 10: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. CT
Wednesday, April 11: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT
Thursday, April 12: Off
Friday, April 13: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 14: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT; Depart for Commerce City, Colo.
Sunday, April 15: Fire @ Colorado Rapids - Dick's Sporting Goods Park - 7:00 p.m. CT - Comcast SportsNet
Monday, April 16: Fire Reserves @ Colorado Rapids Reserves - Dick's Sporting Goods Park - 11:00 a.m. CT
Fire Signs Veteran Goalkeeper Jon Busch
The Chicago Fire has secured the services of four-year MLS veteran goalkeeper Jon Busch with a contract that will place the 30-year-old Albany, N.Y. native on the squad's 28-man roster. With the signing of Busch, the Fire sends a natural 2009 Supplemental Draft fourth round selection to Toronto FC, his previous rights holder. The 2004 MLS All-Star was most recently with Toronto throughout the preseason after being claimed off waivers from the Columbus Crew. Per Major League Soccer (MLS) and team policy, specific terms of the deal were not disclosed. As a result of the signing, third-year Fire goalkeeper David Mahoney has been waived.
ISSA Hall of Fame Unveiled
During Saturday's Fire-Revolution match-up, Chicago Fire Soccer and the Illinois State Soccer Association unveiled the new ISSA Hall of Fame, located on the southeast end of TOYOTA PARK. The Hall of Fame consists of the Wall of Fame, a photographic display of the 127 current inductees, as well as list of 89 individuals who have received the Meritorious Service Award, and the History of Soccer in Illinois; a collection of trophies, soccer balls - including the ball used to score the first goal at TOYOTA PARK - and other precious Illinois soccer memorabilia. Among the invaluable trophies on display is the 1981 NASL Soccer Bowl Championship Trophy, won by the Chicago Sting when they defeated the New York Cosmos 1-0. The collection also contains the Sting's Transatlantic Challenge Cup won in 1981 and the 1984 NASL Soccer Bowl Championship Trophy.
Chicago Fire Juniors Expands with Merger of Naperville Lightning
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that the Chicago Fire Juniors (CFJ) youth club has merged with the Naperville Lightning youth club to form its latest satellite club under the CFJ model. The goal of the merger is to contribute to the evolution of west suburban Chicago youth soccer by taking the best from both clubs, working directly with the Chicago Fire organization to create a unique Youth Development Program of the highest caliber possible. This new environment will enable every player under the Naperville Lightning umbrella to follow a professional soccer club model. While Naperville Lightning has been dedicated to "Winning through Development", the Chicago Fire Juniors has always been committed to a belief in the "Pyramid of Player Development". The latest Chicago Fire Juniors satellite will officially make its debut during tryout sessions in early June for the 2007-08 soccer season.
