TV: Fox Soccer Channel (Max Bretos, Christopher Sullivan, Todd Grisham, Mark Rogondino)
RADIO: WRTO-1200 AM (Oscar Guzman, "Batata" DaSilva, Enrique "Tico" Fernandez)
Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls
The Chicago Fire (8-10-5, 29 pts.) return from a two-game road stint to host the New York Red Bulls (11-10-3, 36 pts.) at TOYOTA PArk. The "Men in Red" enter their third-straight Eastern Conference contest, coming off a 1-0 rain-soaked victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday at Crew Stadium. The Red Bulls look for better luck on the road, falling 3-0 to Chivas USA last Sunday, the team's third-consecutive road loss. Kick-off for Saturday's match is 7:30 p.m. CT and will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel and broadcast over the airwaves on Chicagoland radio station WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish).
Chicago Fire Weekly Agenda
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6726 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Monday, Sept. 10 OFF
Tuesday, Sept. 11 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 12 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 13 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 14 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m. - CLOSED
Saturday, Sept. 15 Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. - TOYOTA PARK
Sunday, Sept. 16 Chicago Fire Reserves vs. New York Red Bulls Reserves, 10:00 a.m. - TOYOTA PARK practice field
"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly" Radio Show - Fire Defender C.J. Brown
"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, Sept. 10, at 6:00 p.m. CT, and each week throughout the rest of the Fire's 2007 MLS campaign. Hosts Kevin Kellam, Angelo Bonadonna, and Terry Bonadonna will speak with veteran defender and "Fire Original," C.J. Brown. 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.
Fire in Playoff Contention
With a win over Columbus on Saturday, the "Men in Red" wrestled the eighth and final playoff spot away from both the Crew and the Colorado Rapids, who are both one point behind. Six weeks remain in the regular season, but if it ended today, the eight teams below would qualify. They are listed according to their would-be opponents in two-game, aggregate goals playoff series:
Eastern Conference Semifinals
D.C. United vs. Kansas City Wizards
New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls
Western Conference Semifinals
Houston Dynamo vs. Chicago Fire*
Chivas USA vs. FC Dallas
*As the fifth team to qualify from the Eastern Conference, Chicago would shift over to become the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket.
Blanco Grand Marshall of Little Village Mexican Independence Day Parade
Cuauhtémoc Blanco has been selected to be the Grand Marshall of the annual Little Village Mexican Independence Day Fiestas Patrias Parade, along 26th Street, on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 12:00 p.m. CT. The Parade will begin at the Little Village Arch, on 26th Street and Albany, moving westward, along 26th Street and ending at Kostner Ave.
The Mexican Independence Day Parade illuminates the Mexican culture with a vibrant and colorful atmosphere. Corporations, business community and government agencies, participate in the parade demonstrating its great marketing mechanism. The annual parade attracts over 475,000 live spectators and over a million consumers that tune in for the television broadcast.
2007 Frank Klopas Golf Outing Raises 30k for Youth Programs
On Monday, Sept. 10, the FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK) held its sixth annual golf outing at Silver Lakes Country Club, in Orland Park, Ill. Former Fire forward and "Ring of Fire" member Frank Klopas, who also serves on the Board of Directors for the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, was on hand as well as the entire Chicago Fire team and coaching staff. Those in attendance had lunch during the game, followed by a cocktail reception. The evening concluded with a buffet dinner and prizes, including the chance to win a new car. Thirty thousand dollars in contributions were donated to the FireWorks for Kids Foundation for both the Fire Academy as well as other area youth programs.
"Today was very excited for me because it was a very successful event, as it was sold out and went past our expectations," said Klopas. "This is a cause that will benefit a lot of kids. This will help some kid reach his or her goals and dreams someday, and that is a wonderful feeling. I'm proud to be a part of such a great cause."
Great Lakes Ceremonial Band Performs Sunday
Saturday's gameday experience will feature the Great Lakes Navy Ceremonial Band as Chicago Fire Soccer hosts Armed Forces Appreciation night. The Ceremonial Band will be playing for Fire fans outside gates C before the game, and will be performing the national anthem before the start of the game. A moment of silence will be conducted just before the national anthem is played, in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001.
Fire Reserves Return to Action Sunday
The Chicago Reserves return to action on this Sunday, Sept. 16, in a rematch against the New York Red Bulls Reserves at the TOYOTA PARK practice field, with kickoff set for 10:00 a.m. CT. The Reserves remain winless on the season following a 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls Reserves at Giants Stadium Sunday morning. Chicago is now 0-5-2 in the Major League Soccer Reserve Division, sitting last place in the 13-team table with just two points out of a possible 21.
Former Fire Defender Bocanegra Tallies in U.S. loss to Brazil
Former Fire defender Carlos Bocanegra (2000-2003) scored the first goal for the U.S. Men's National Team against five-time World Cup champions Brazil in the 21st minute of play in a 4-2 loss at Soldier Field in Chicago Sunday afternoon. Bocanegra joined striker Josh Wolff (1998-2002) and midfielder DaMarcus Beasley (2000-04) on the U.S. starting eleven as alumni who played professionally for the Chicago Fire. The trio was part of the team coached by former Fire coach Bob Bradley (1998-2002) that captured the 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, including current U.S. assistant coach and former Fire midfielder and captain Peter Nowak (1998-2002). Two other players on Sunday's roster held ties to the Chicagoland area. West Ham United defender Jonathan Spector hails from Arlington Heights, Ill., while Watford defender Jay DeMerit played his college ball for the "Flames" of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
TOYOTA PARK to Host Illinois Men's State Cup
This year's Illinois Men's State Cup Final between RWB Adria Soccer Club and the United Serbs Soccer Club will be held at TOYOTA PARK on Friday, Sept. 21, with kick-off slated for an 8:00 p.m. CT start. Parking and admission to this event is free to the public, with parking lots opening at 6:00 p.m. CT. Fans are asked to enter through Gate C at 7:00 p.m. The Illinois Men's State Cup competition is the oldest soccer competition in the United States of America, first awarded to Campbell Rovers in 1909 when it was named the Peel Cup after Peter J. Peel. The Peel cup went missing in 1970 and the Illinois Men's State Cup was renamed the Illinois Governor's Cup and has gone through several name changes, as teams retire each one if the same team wins the title three times. The current Cup is named for George Chazaro (current Illinois State Soccer Association President) and will be retired by RWB Adria unless the United Serbs can stop them on Sept. 21. Adria won the State Cup in 2005 and 2006. The winner of the Men's State Cup Final will travel to the Joseph L. Rodrigues Regional Tournament of Champions and will represent Illinois against 12 other states that make up the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) Midwest Region.
Video Introductions on Chicago Fire Website
Fans can now see and hear their favorite players as the official website of the Chicago Fire, www.chicago-fire.com, offers MLS-first video introductions for each member of the "Men in Red". To see the new intros, go to www.chicago-fire.com and click on the roster page, then click on your favorite player's bio for the video link just underneath their 2007 regular season stats.
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.
