After advancing with a 3-2 aggregate goal-win over D.C. United in the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series last Thursday, the Chicago Fire travel to Foxborough, Mass. to face the New England Revolution in the Conference Championship on Thursday, Nov. 8 (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2). The "Men in Red" are riding a 10-game unbeaten streak (4-0-6) and look to continue their success in the one-off game against the Revs with a win for a spot in the 2007 MLS Cup. The broadcast for Thursday's game starts at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and sent over the airwaves on Chicagoland radio station WRTO-1200 AM (Spanish).
CHICAGO FIRE WEEKLY AGENDA
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6726 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Monday, Nov. 5: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 6: Training at TOYOTA PARK main field, 10:00 a.m. - Closed - Media availability after practice
Wednesday, Nov. 7: Training at TOYOTA PARK main field, 9:30 a.m., - Closed - Depart to Foxborough, Mass.
Thursday, Nov. 8: Chicago Fire @ New England Revolution, 6:30 p.m. - Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
Friday, Nov. 9: TBD
Saturday, Nov. 10: TBD
Sunday, Nov. 11: TBD
CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER TO HOST INAUGURAL FALL WONDERGIRL 5K RUN ON SATURDAY
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.
FIRE ACADEMY STARTS TRAINING TUESDAY
The Fire Academy start training in Bridgeview, Ill., with day one of an 100 days of practices/games set to begin at 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CT, Tues. - Thurs. (Nov. 6-8). The Fire Academy play their first scrimmage this Sunday, Nov. 11 at 11:00 a.m. (U-16) and 1:00 p.m. CT (U-18).
CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER ASSISTS IN WILDFIRE RELIEF EFFORTS
Just over two weeks ago, the Chicago Fire eliminated the Los Angeles Galaxy from MLS Cup Playoff contention, however on Sunday, Nov. 4, the two teams became allies in relief efforts for victims of the southern California wildfires. The Galaxy hosted Hollywood United F.C. in a charity match at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and Chicago Fire Soccer donated financial support to the cause, presenting organizers a check for $2,500 earmarked for the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.
RED-HOT STREAK (4-0-6)
The Chicago Fire are enjoying their best form of the season, evidenced by a current 10-game unbeaten run through MLS league and postseason play, starting with a 1-0 win at Columbus on Sept. 8. Much of the success can be attributed to the defense, which has given up only eight goals, or .80 goals-per-game. During their run, the Fire have posted crucial results against Eastern Conference opposition, going 3-0-4 through seven inter-conference games through the 10-game streak. Ties are the theme down the stretch, as the "Men in Red" have drawn six times during the streak, while narrowly outscoring their opponent 9-6.
CHAD BARRETT ON TUESDAY'S FOX FOOTBALL FONE-IN SHOW
Fans of the "Men in Red" should catch Fox Football Fone-In (FFF) Tuesday night as Fire forward Chad Barrett joins the crew of Steven Cohen and Nick Webster on the Fox Soccer Channel weekly show. Barrett will talk about his Fire/Budweiser Golden Boot-winning season, his first-career playoff tally last Thursday at D.C. in game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and Chicago's upcoming Conference Championship at New England on Thursday. The two-hour show starts at 7:00 p.m. CT and Fire faithful can call 1-888-FOX-FANS or email questions to fff@foxsoccer.com to show their support.
CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER WEEKLY - ONE HOUR PLAYOFF EDITION - CHRIS ROLFE & GONZALO SEGARES
A special one hour MLS Cup Playoffs edition of "Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly," airs its next broadcast via WXAV 88.3 FM from the campus of Saint Xavier University (SXU) this Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 6:00 p.m. CT, and each week throughout the rest of the Fire's 2007 MLS campaign. Fire forward Chris Rolfe and defender Gonzalo Segares join the show to discuss the Fire's 3-2 aggregate Eastern Conference Semifinal Series win over D.C. United. Hosts Kevin Kellam, Angelo Bonadonna, and Terry Bonadonna will also preview Thursday's Conference Championship at New England. 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.
DIRECTO AL BLANCO - ANTONIO CARLOS SANTOS & CARLOS DE LOS COBOS
Chicago Fire Soccer's first player-specific radio show, Directo al Blanco or Blanco Direct, is set for this Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 6:00 p.m. CT. The full-hour live show is hosted by Chicago Fire broadcast radio talent Oscar Guzman and Nilton "Batata" DaSilva, and will feature Fire star attacker Cuauhtémoc Blanco as the trio speak on the latest soccer-related news regarding the Chicago Fire, Major League Soccer, and Mexican soccer. This Tuesday's show will include guest commentary from ex-America player Antonio Carlos Santos (1987-94) and Carlos de los Cobos, current coach of El Salvador and former coach of the Mexican U23 team that participated in the 1996 Olympic Games.
Directo al Blanco airs live in Chicago on Univision Radio "La Tremenda" 1200 AM, online at www.univision.com and www.chicago-fire.com, as well as pre-recorded in Mexico on 88.9 FM as part of the Acir Group, the "lider nacional en radio". The show will air in concurrence with the MLS season and will include special call-in guests both from the United States and Mexico, as Latin sports celebrities from around the globe join the show. Fans listening both domestically and internationally will have the opportunity to call in at 312.642.1212 to ask questions to Blanco about his thoughts on the Fire, MLS, Primera Division, and more.
FIRE TO HOST SEASON TICKET HOLDER VIEWING PARTY AT TOYOTA PARK
Chicago Fire Soccer will be hosting a viewing party for all Season Ticket Holders (Suite, Club, Full, Half, Flex) at the TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club this Thurs., Nov. 8., with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. CT. Appetizers and a drink ticket will be provided for each guest. Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 6 at 3:00 PM by calling 708.496.6800 or e-mail seasonticketservices@chicago-fire.com. Please be sure to include the total number of guests in your party.
PICKENS PICKED FOR MLS PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Major League Soccer recently announced that four-year Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens is the MLS Player of the Month for October, his second-ever selection for the award and the club's eighth overall winner. Through the month of October, Pickens let in just one goal in three league games played, helping the "Men in Red" remain unbeaten in the final month of MLS play. Through the Fire's entire 2007 league campaign, Pickens registered a 1.15 goals-against-average through 27 games played. The 25-year-old Washington, Mo. native is the last Fire player to take home the award when he won the MLS Player of the Month award in 2006 after his stellar play through the month of September.
With the 1-0 shutout on Oct. 21 against Los Angeles, Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens took the club single season shutout record with 10, breaking the previously held record of nine by Zach Thornton earned during the 2001 campaign. Pickens posted another clean sheet last Thursday against D.C., and has recorded shutouts in the following 2007 matches: April 7 vs. New England (1-0), April 29 at Houston Dynamo (1-0), May 27 vs. 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 vs. Kansas City (2-0), Sept. 8 at Columbus (1-0), Oct. 13 at D.C. United (0-0), and Oct. 21 vs. Los Angeles (1-0).
DIEGO GUTIERREZ NAMED 2007 USSF FIRE HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR - MLS HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR
The Fire is honored that midfielder Diego Gutierrez has been selected as the 2007 USSF Fire Humanitarian of the Year and the 2007 MLS Humanitarian of the Year. This past year, Diego has played a very active leadership role serving as a national spokesperson for the Nothing But Nets campaign. Working together with MLS W.O.R.K.S, the United Nations Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Fire Works For Kids Foundation, and other local Chicago sports, civic and faith based organizations, Diego has formed his own Nothing But Nets fund raising team to raise money to fight Malaria in Africa. In April, Gutierrez was honored for his work in the fight against malaria with an invitation to attend the White House for a visit with President Bush and the first lady in the Rose Garden. Diego and his wife Ginna were joined by MLS Commissioner Don Garber in the nation's capital along with other organizations and individuals involved in promoting malaria awareness.
FIRE JUNIORS - MISSISSIPPI LOSE ONE OF THEIR OWN
Mick Fullerton, a member of the Mississippi Fire '90/U18 Boys White team, was killed on Friday, Nov. 2 in an accident that also took the life of his 14 year old sister, Caitlin. Mick was an original CFJ - Miss. member, having played with the team since it was formed at U11 and was also a member of the Northwest Rankin High School squad. Mick and Caitlin are survived by their parents, Jay and Elaine Fullerton and an older brother, Will. The Chicago Fire Soccer organization offers its condolence to the Fullerton family.
2008 SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
2008 Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available 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
2008 Chicago Fire Club Seats are now available for purchase. 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.
