Plenty on the line when Fire closes out 2006 MLS regular season Sunday at D.C. United
After a stunning 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Columbus Crew last Saturday evening in its TOYOTA PARK finale, the Chicago Fire (12-11-8, 44 pts.) will look to close out the regular season portion of its 2006 MLS schedule when the squad travels to the nation's capital this Sunday, Oct. 15 to take on Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United (15-6-10, 55 pts.) for a 4:00 p.m. CT kick-off. Fire fans will be able to follow the match live via ESPN2's nationally televised broadcast and on the Fire's Spanish-language radio partner "La Tremenda," WRTO-AM 1200.
The Fire can win or lose its MLS regular season series against United on Sunday, with Chicago sitting on a 1-1-1 record against D.C. in league play in 2006. The Fire does enjoy an overall season lead over United courtesy of its 3-0 drubbing of D.C. in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal action on Sept. 6, bringing Chicago's overall mark to 2-1-1 against the "Black and Red." After finishing a brutal season-starting road stretch with a 1-0 defeat at RFK Stadium on June 21, Chicago bounced back to get a crucial point at home in a 1-1 draw with D.C. on July 22. Red-hot Fire forward Andy Herron tallied his eighth goal in ten overall contests in a 1-0 win over United at TOYOTA PARK on Sept. 17 to bring the regular series to its current deadlock. The "Men in Red" are now an even 11-11-4 in regular season matches against D.C. United, but just 3-8-2 in games contested inside the beltway.
Fire and Revs ready for Eastern Conference Semifinals, though home-field still to be determined
Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Columbus did not aid the Fire's chances to clinch the Eastern Conference's second seed for the upcoming MLS Cup Playoffs, as the loss combined with the New England Revolution's 2-1 away win over D.C. United saw the Revolution leapfrog the Fire for second in the East with a one point advantage. This weekend's results will determine which side will have home-field advantage in their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series match-up, as a Chicago win over D.C. United combined with a New England tie or loss against the Columbus Crew OR a Fire draw combined with a Revs loss will clinch home-field for the Fire over the Revs. Chicago holds the series tiebreaker over New England if both sides finish with 45 points at the end of regular season play. MLS has already announced the Fire and Revolution will begin their East Semifinal Series on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 12:00 p.m. CT in a match telecast live on ABC Sports, while the second leg of the series will take place on Saturday, Oct. 28 (time TBD).
Ivan Guerrero to suit up for Honduras tonight in friendly against Guatemala
Fire midfielder Ivan Guerrero will don the blue-and-white of the Honduran National Team later this evening for the squad's friendly against Guatemala in Atlanta, GA. The international exhibition is set for a 6:30 p.m. CT kick at Herndon Stadium on the campus of Morris Brown College. The reigning Fire/Honda MVP has amassed 59 caps and three goals for the "catrachos" in his senior international career, with his last appearance for his native country coming on July 21, 2005 in Honduras's 2-1 loss in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinals.
Vote now for 2006 Chicago Fire/Honda MVP and Chicago Fire Defender of the Year
"Now's the Time" for members of the Chicagoland media to vote for their top three picks for both the 2006 Chicago Fire/Honda MVP and Chicago Fire Defender of the Year awards. All votes must be turned into the Fire Media Relations Department by this Friday, Oct. 13 at 4:00 p.m. CT. Fire midfielder Ivan Guerrero did a "double" of his own last season, taking home both honors at the conclusion of his first season with the "Men in Red." To place your votes for the pair of year-end honors, please contact John Koluder in the Fire Media Relations Department by calling 708-496-6725 or via e-mail at jkoluder@chicago-fire.com.
Voting continues as Rolfe's strike up for MLS's weekly honor
Fire forward Chris Rolfe's fourth-minute tally last Saturday against Columbus has been named one of the five nominees for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week award for Week 28. Rolfe benefited from the fancy footwork of captain Chris Armas, who danced around Crew defender and the endline before slotting a pass back towards the penalty spot for Rolfe, who made no mistake with his first-touch shot from nine yards out. Fans can click here or visit www.MLSnet.com and click on the "Sierra Mist Goal of the Week" logo to vote on the second-year striker's tally as this week's winner.
Fire bids farewell to Media Relations Director Diana Lopez
The entire Chicago Fire Soccer family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to former Director of Media Relations Diana Lopez for her nine years of dedicated service to the team's Media Relations Department. Lopez ended her tenure with the Fire organization following last Saturday's home finale at TOYOTA PARK to pursue another career opportunity. In the interim, the Fire asks for all media members to send any inquiries to Media Relations Manager John Koluder either via email at jkoluder@chicago-fire.com or by phone at 708-496-6725.
Chicago Fire/Performance PT "Recovery Room"
Barrett, Chad - R fractured fifth metatarsal - OUT (Season Ending Injury list)
Capano, Craig - L knee derangement - OUT (Season Ending Injury list)
Curtin, Jeff - R adductor strain - OUT (Season Ending Injury list)
Gutierrez, Diego - L hamstring strain - DOUBTFUL
Montz, Jared - L adductor strain - OUT (Season Ending Injury list)
Pause, Logan - R knee sprain - DOUBTFUL
Thorrington, John - R hamstring strain - OUT
Fire Reserves drop 3-0 decision to Columbus Crew Reserves
The Chicago Fire Reserves (4-5-2, 14 pts.) were unable to get on the board as they fell 3-0 to the Columbus Crew Reserves (3-8-1 10 pts.) Sunday, Oct. 8 at Langhorst Field on the campus of Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL. Despite plenty of chances on goal for the Fire, it was Columbus who scored early in the game courtesy of an Eric Vasquez strike just five minutes in. The away side went up another goal after a Sebastian Rozental header in the 57th minute to double the Crew lead, and a Cam Weaver goal in the 59th minute put the game out of reach for "Men in Red." The lone bright spot of the match for the Fire was the Chicago debut of midfielder Pascal Bedrossian, as the 31-year-old French playmaker started and logged 60 minutes for the Fire Reserves in the contest. After 11 games, the Fire Reserves currently sit in ninth place in the 12-team single table Reserve Division standings on 14 points. The Fire Reserves do not yet have a make up date for their twice-rescheduled home match-up against the New England Revolution Reserves, which was canceled for a second time last Tuesday.
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