Chicago Fire vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - Sunday, October 21, 2007 - Fire Match #30 - MLS Match #195
TV: My50 (Chris Doran, Fred Hubner, Sarah Kustok), Telefutura
RADIO: WRTO-1200 AM (Oscar Guzman, "Batata" DaSilva, Enrique "Tico" Fernandez), WNVR - 1030 AM (Jacek Zielinski)
Chicago Fire vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
The Chicago Fire (9-10-10, 37 pts.) take a season-high, seven-game unbeaten streak (2-0-5) into their final 2007 regular season match as they face the Los Angeles Galaxy (9-13-6, 33 pts.) this Sunday, Oct. 21, at TOYOTA PARK. The Fire moved up into the seventh playoff spot after gaining a point for Saturday's 0-0 draw with D.C. United on the road in Washington D.C. The Galaxy are coming off a 2-1 home win over Toronto FC this past Saturday, extending their unbeaten streak to six games, which includes a five game winning streak. With the win, the Galaxy (33 points) moved within four points of both the Fire and Kansas City, tied at 37 points. Before heading to TOYOTA PARK in Bridgeview, Ill., the Galaxy will face the New York Red Bulls this Thursday, Oct. 18, at home in the Home Depot Center for an ESPN2 MLS Primetime Thursday match-up (10:00 p.m. CT). Kick-off for Sunday's match is at 2:00 p.m. CT, and will be televised live locally on My50 Chicago, and broadcast over the airwaves on Chicagoland radio stations WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish).
Chicago Fire Weekly Agenda
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6726 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Monday, Oct. 15 OFF
Tuesday, Oct. 16 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 17 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 18 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 19 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 21 Chicago Fire vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, 2:00 p.m. - TOYOTA PARK, Bridgeview, Ill.
The Playoff Picture
With 37 points, the Fire are tied with the Kansas City Wizards for the seventh playoff spot in the 2007 MLS Cup playoff race, however the "Men in Red" have not officially clinched. The Fire will clinch a playoff spot if they defeat the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday. If the "Men in Red" come away with a tie on Sunday, they will advance only if two of the following occur: Los Angeles loses or ties the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night, Kansas City loses to FC Dallas on Saturday, and Colorado loses or ties against Real Salt Lake. A playoff berth would still be possible if Chicago loses to LA on Sunday if any two of the following also occur: Los Angeles loses to New York on Thursday, Kansas City loses to FC Dallas on Saturday, and Colorado loses or ties against Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
Gutierrez Receives Invitation to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Malaria Forum
Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez has been invited to take part as a panelist at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Malaria Forum, which will be held October 16-18, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. The forum will bring together representatives of diverse organizations receiving malaria grants from the foundation, as well as key foundation leadership and other partners in the fight against malaria. Gutierrez will participate in a session titled "Bringing New Partners to the Fight Against Malaria". The goal of this session is to demonstrate and discuss the impact that many new initiatives are having in raising the profile of the disease beyond the scientific and health communities.
"It is definitely an honor and humbling to think that the work that we've done through this campaign in the last calendar year has gotten us to this point" said Gutierrez. "It also lets us know that our work is just getting started, but an invitation of this caliber lets us know that we are headed in the right direction."
Pickens ties the single season shutout record with nine
With the shutout on Saturday against D.C. United, Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens tied the Fire single regular season shutout record with nine, held by Zach Thornton earned during the 2001 season. Pickens recorded shutouts in the following 2007 matches: April 7 versus New England (1-0), April 29 at Houston Dynamo (1-0), May 27 versus Real Salt Lake (0-0), July 1 at Colorado (0-0), July 29 at Toronto FC (3-0), Aug. 4 versus Columbus (0-0), Aug. 25 versus Kansas City (2-0), Sept. 8 at Columbus (1-0), and Oct. 13 at D.C. United (0-0).
"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly" Radio Show - Fire Midfielder Brian Plotkin
"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly," a half-hour weekly soccer talk show, will air its next broadcast via WXAV 88.3 FM from the campus of Saint Xavier University (SXU) this Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 6:00 p.m. CT, and each week throughout the rest of the Fire's 2007 MLS campaign. Fire midfielder Brian Plotkin joins the show to discuss the Fire's upcoming match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Hosts Kevin Kellam, Angelo Bonadonna, and Terry Bonadonna will preview the upcoming match and discuss the final week of MLS regular season games in relation to the playoff race. Fans are encouraged to call in at 773.429.0463 to talk about all things Fire-related - live over the airwaves and the internet, with podcasts available through Chicago Fire or WXAV subscriptions on iTunes. For more information visit www.wxav.com or www.chicago-fire.com.
Third Thursday Hosts Chicago Fire/Fans Party on Oct. 18 at Zhou B. Café
The Chicago Fire and their loyal fan base will be featured guests at the next Third Thursday event presented by Sticky, on Thursday, Oct. 18, starting at 8:00 p.m. CT. As the Fire push for the postseason play, a special event to promote the playoff chase will be held at Zhou B Café, located at 1029 W. 35th Street. Join the "Men in Red" and other fans for this special pep rally, just three days before the much-anticipated match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The event will feature player appearances, merchandise giveaways, drink specials, videos, live entertainment and more. To RSVP, contact info@thirdthursdays.tv.
2007 Chicago Fire Awards Reception at Emilio's Tapas
The 2007 Chicago Fire Awards Reception will be held on Oct. 22, at Emilio's Tapas, located at 215 East Ohio St., beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT. The event will offer attendees the opportunity to mingle with Fire players and coaches, take part in a raffle to benefit the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, and help the Fire honor the 2007 award winners. The evening will include speeches from Fire President/CEO John Guppy and Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio, as well as an awards ceremony presenting the Fire Honda Most Valuable Player, Budweiser Golden Boot, Defender of the Year, the USSF Humanitarian of the Year, and the Sierra Mist Top 10 Fire Goals of the Year. The entire Chicago Fire team and coaching staff are scheduled to be in attendance for the event. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the 2007 Chicago Fire Soccer Awards Reception, please call FireWorks for Kids at 708.496.6740, or email jyavitz@chicago-fire.com.
Chicago Fire Soccer to Host Inaugural Fall Wondergirl 5K Run
Chicago Fire Soccer and the Village of Bridgeview have teamed-up with Girls on the Run for the Inaugural Chicago Fire Wondergirl 5K, presented by Takeda, on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 9:00 a.m. CT at TOYOTA PARK. The Wondergirl 5k brings the enthusiasm of Girls on the Run, a non-profit prevention program that educates and prepares girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Celebrate the end of the Girls on the Run season with hundreds of young girls, many running their first 5K. Everyone can participate, and for the families out there, this is the rare event where kids and adults can run together in one race. The race benefits the Girls on the Run-Chicago and the FireWorks for Kids Foundation. For more information on the Wondergirl 5K, visit www.gotrchicago.org.
2008 Season Tickets On Sale Now
Being a Chicago Fire fan means being a part of a community of pride, passion, and tradition. Becoming a Chicago Fire Season Ticket Holder means never missing a moment. Make the ultimate commitment to the Chicago Fire by becoming a Season Ticket Holder and get the best prices with even better benefits. 2008 Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available at your own convenience, with Full, Half, and Flex plans now available for purchase. For more information regarding 2008 Season Tickets contact the Chicago Fire at 888.MLS.FIRE or visit our website at www.chicago-fire.com.
2008 TOYOTA PARK Club Seats Available
For the best in comfort and convenience, plus the greatest mix of sports, concerts and specials events, we invite you to become a TOYOTA PARK Club Seat Holder. Some of the key benefits of becoming a Club seat holder are; midfield seat locations, Stadium Club access, VIP Parking, VIP Stadium Entrance and Pre-sale to all TOYOTA PARK events. A limited amount of Club seats are still available for the 2008 season. For more information on 2008 TOYOTA PARK club seats, call 708.496.6890.
