Weekly update: Fire head to Toronto

Chicago Fire @ Santos Laguna - Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - International Friendly


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RADIO
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Chicago Fire @ Toronto FC - Sunday, July 29, 2007 - Fire Match #17 - MLS Match #110
TV: TeleFutura

RADIO: WRTO-1200 AM (Oscar Guzman, "Batata" DaSilva, Enrique "Tico" Fernandez), WNVR-1030 AM (Jacek Zielinski, Daniel Bociaga)

Fire vs. Santos Laguna
Chicago Fire Soccer has scheduled its third international friendly of the 2007 campaign, as the Chicago Fire are set to play Club Santos Laguna of the Mexican Primera División on Wednesday, July 25, at Los Coyotes Stadium, in La Joya, Texas. Kick-off for the exhibition match is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, as the "Men in Red" face the "Guerreros," or Warriors, of Santos for the first time in club history.

Fire vs. Toronto FC
The Chicago Fire (4-8-4 16 pts.) travel north to face Toronto FC (5-8-4 19 pts.) in a fight for Eastern Conference advancement this Sunday at BMO Field in the third of three regular season meetings (2:00 p.m. CT, TeleFutura). The Fire are fresh off a 1-1 draw with Celtic FC in an international friendly on Sunday, with 15,719 fans at TOYOTA PARK to witness the first start and goal scored by Fire attacker Cuauhtémoc Blanco. Toronto is a team happy to be home, winning just once in six-straight previous contests on the road and most recently falling to the Columbus Crew 0-2 on Sunday evening. This Sunday's Fire-Toronto game will be broadcast live from 71st and Harlem nationally on TeleFutura and over the airwaves on Chicagoland radio stations WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish).

Getting-to-Know :: Club Santos Laguna
Founded in 1983, Club Santos Laguna first debuted in Mexico's Primera Division in 1988, and have won the league championship twice since that time. Santos first took the top prize in the 1996 Invierno tournament and then again in the 2001 Clausura campaign. The Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico side was also runner-up in the 1993/94 season and the 2000 Clausura tournament. The club features its captain, Mexican National Team goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez, who recently participated for "El Tri" in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America competitions.

"I think it will be a very special occasion," said Fire head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "It is a friendly international to give us a chance to play against a top team at the club level. Hopefully also a chance for us to try new players in new positions in a system that will help down the road."

Fire's Previous Trip to Toronto
The Chicago Fire were part of Major League Soccer history on May 12 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, but not the kind that was to then-Head Coach Dave Sarachan's liking. Toronto, held scoreless in its first four games, tallied its first historic goal when forward Danny Dichio finished a loose ball in the penalty area in the 24th minute. Fire forward Chris Rolfe scored in his third straight game in his last appearance made for the "Men in Red" before falling to injury later in the match, however, Chicago was on the wrong end of a 3-1 loss to Toronto FC before a sold out crowd of 20,041. The victory marked the first for the Toronto expansion franchise, who at the time had lost their four straight previous contests and had not scored a single goal.

Fire Draw 1-1 With Celtic FC Sunday
The Chicago Fire tied 2007 Scottish Premier League Champions Celtic FC in front of 15,719 fans in an international friendly Sunday afternoon at TOYOTA PARK. Fire forward Cuauhtémoc Blanco provided the lone goal for the "Men in Red" in the 30th minute in his Chicago Fire debut. Celtic FC forward Derek Riordan finished for the "Hoops" in the 80th minute to bring the final score to Fire 1-1. The Fire took the lead in the 30th minute as Blanco received a ball from forward Chad Barrett in the middle of the field from forty yards out and carried it toward goal, slipping a pass behind the final Celtic defender right back to himself for a one-on-one with goalkeeper Artur Boruc. As Boruc came off his line to shut down the angle, "Temo" took a touch to the left to beat the keeper and slotted home his first-ever goal for the "Men in Red".

"I am very disappointed we did not win this game," said Fire head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "If we had finished on at least 25 percent of our chances we would have won that game by at least a two goal difference. We'll continue to work on our finishing and I think we can improve on that. We had better possession today and I think in general we did quite well but we'll continue to improve. There is only one way to do it and that is work on the training pitch and we'll continue to do that."

Chicago Fire History in International Friendlies (5-3-2)

"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly" Radio Show - Justin Mapp
"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, July 17, at 6:00 p.m. CT, and each week throughout the rest of the Fire's 2007 MLS campaign. Host Kevin Kellam and guest-host Terry Bonadonna will talk with Fire and U.S. National Team midfielder Justin Mapp as well as recap Sunday's 1-1 draw with Celtic FC. Fans are encouraged to call in at 708.429.0463 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.

Bob Bradley Inducted into "Ring of Fire" on Aug. 4
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that former Fire head coach Bob Bradley will be inducted into the prestigious "Ring of Fire" Hall of Fame on Aug. 4, at TOYOTA PARK in a pre-game ceremony before the "Men in Red" take on Eastern Conference foe Columbus Crew (6:00 p.m. CT, HDNet). Bradley, who is currently serving as the U.S. Men's National Team head coach, and fellow inductees Peter Wilt, Peter Nowak, and Frank Klopas will be in attendance for a 90-minute pre-game reception on the TOYOTA PARK rooftop to celebrate the induction. Tickets for the reception are available through The FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK) by contacting Community Relations Director Jessica Yavitz at 708.496.6740 or jyavitz@chicago-fire.com

Brown Available for Sunday
As a result of defender C.J. Brown's yellow card caution in the 31st minute of the Fire's 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on July 7, the veteran "Fire Original" held five total cautions for the 2007 regular season. Per MLS Disciplinary Committee rules, Brown was required to serve a one game suspension and as a result was not available head coach Juan Carlos Osorio in the July 12 match versus Houston. The 10-year Fire member saw his 15-game playing streak through the 2007 campaign come to an end, but will once again be available to Osorio for this Sunday's game at Toronto FC.

Mapp Named to All-Star Inactive Roster
On Wednesday, July 18, Major League Soccer announced the 14 additional selections for the Sierra Mist All-Star Game, in addition to the MLS First XI, the five players chosen by Steve Nicol, along with the two Commissioner's Picks originally announced. Fire midfielder Justin Mapp was selected to the inactive player list, is considered an MLS All-Star, and will be listed as such in official league records.

Since the MLS vs. the World format was started, the additional selections have been made as the MLS All-Star gameday roster is limited to 18 players. In the case any of the original 18 players are unable to participate, any substitutions would come from the 14 additional selections.

Fire Forward Breakdown:
Barrett, Chad - 4G/1A - 1,281 minutes - 16 games/15 starts (Scored game-tying goal in 1-1 draw vs. TOR on July 7)
Carr, Calen -1G/0A - 732 minutes - 14 games/7 starts (Last scored in 2-1 loss vs. DAL on May 17)
Monteiro, Jerson - 1G/0A - 154 minutes - 5 games/1 starts (First MLS start against COL on July 1)
Rolfe, Chris - 4G/3A - 495 minutes - 6 games/6 starts (Has missed last ten MLS games due to ankle injury)

Fire Launch Chicago Fire Soccer Academy
Chicago Fire Soccer recently announced the formation of the Chicago Fire Soccer Academy, an elite player development initiative designed to identify and develop the best young talent within the Chicagoland area. The program will be fully funded by the Chicago Fire, with no financial responsibility falling on Academy players. The Academy will be limited to 44 players and will field two Academy teams, under-16 and under-18 men, that have been accepted to participate primarily in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

Through various recruiting and identification initiatives, 44 players aged 14 through 18 years of age will be invited to join the Academy based on ability, potential, and desire to play at the professional level. The Academy will be managed and funded directly by the Chicago Fire and will seek to develop relationships with all youth soccer clubs, high schools, and programs within the Chicagoland area to identify the top local talent. With the launch of the Chicago Fire Academy, the Fire now has player development programs and partnerships at every level, including the Fire Juniors, Super-20s, and the Fire Premier PDL Team.

"The launch of the Chicago Fire Soccer Academy is one of the most significant developments in the history of the Fire," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "I cannot stress enough how important this initiative is to the future of soccer in Chicago, and I'm thrilled that we are now in a position to provide the best young talent with a professional player development environment that is focused solely on the ultimate goal of developing professional caliber players."

Fire Hire Louis S. Mateus to Lead Academy
Overseeing player selection and all technical instruction and development for the Chicago Fire Soccer Academy will be former Rockford Raptors Director of Coaching and club co-founder, Louis S. Mateus (pronounced mah-TOOS). Mateus has over 20 years coaching experience, with collegiate head coaching posts at National Louis University (1985-1989), Benedictine University (1989-1996), and most recently Rockford College (1997-2001). He has also been involved in the game at the national and state youth levels, having previously served as an assistant coach for U.S. U-17 National Team (1995-1997) and is currently an assistant with the U.S. U-14 National Team. A former professional player for the Milwaukee Wave, Chicago Shoccers, and the Chicago Power, Mateus has been involved with the game at all levels.

"In Louis Mateus we have found the perfect individual to lead the Academy program," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "Louis is well connected and universally respected within the Chicago soccer scene. He is tri-lingual and has a proven record for developing talent."

"I am thrilled that the Fire has given me this unique opportunity to spearhead the Academy program," said Mateus. "I hope that through the quality instruction we will be providing in the Academy, some of the most talented local youth players will be able to realize their true potential and become professional players with the Chicago Fire."

Join the Fire's Fight Against Malaria
Join Chicago Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez in the battle against malaria. Major League Soccer joined the effort against malaria through its community outreach initiative - MLS W.O.R.K.S. - collaborating with the Nothing But Nets and Malaria No More campaigns. For more information on malaria awareness and how to donate, log on to www.NothingButNets.net or www.malariaNOMORE.org.

Chicago Fire Commemorative Bricks Still Available
Reserve your place in TOYOTA PARK and Chicago Fire history by placing your order for a commemorative brick from the FireWorks for Kids Foundation. Memorial bricks still remain for those who missed the opportunity to purchase last year. Engraved bricks are available in two sizes, with donations starting at $150.00. The bricks will be prominently displayed just under the signature archway near the main entrance of TOYOTA PARK. For more information, visit http://web.mlsnet.com/t100/community/memorial_bricks.