"Houston, you've got a problem"... Red-hot Fire to host "DeRo" and Dynamo Wednesday at TOYOTA PARK
The Chicago Fire (8-8-7, 31 pts.) will look to improve upon its three-game winning streak in MLS play - and its five-game overall win streak - this Wednesday, Aug. 30, when the "Men in Red" will entertain Houston Dynamo (9-7-8, 35 pts.), led by 2006 MLS All-Star Game MVP DeWayne De Rosario, on Illinois Bureau of Tourism Night at TOYOTA PARK at 8:00 p.m. CT. The Fire-Dynamo match will be telecast live on Comcast SportsNet-Chicago, and fans can also follow the action live on Chicagoland radio station WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and on the Fire's website, www.Chicago-Fire.com, which will carry an audio simulcast of the Comcast SportsNet feed. All fans through the gates at TOYOTA PARK on Wednesday will receive a free 2006 Chicago Fire Team Photo, while 5,000 fans will also receive a Chicago Fire Water Bottle upon exit, both courtesy of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism. Tickets for the game can be purchased through Ticketmaster by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 312-550-1212. Tickets are also available for purchase at the TOYOTA PARK Box Office, located at 7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview, Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT.
The Fire and Dynamo will renew their very brief history on Wednesday in a series that is all of one game old. Chicago defeated Houston in the first-ever meeting between the clubs by a 1-0 score on May 20 at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston. A stroke of brilliance from midfielder Thiago marked the game's lone goal in the 50th minute, as the Brazilian midfielder gathered a pass at midfield and darted past four Dynamo defenders before cracking a 20-yard effort that helped the Fire stretch its undefeated streak at the time to six games - and earned the Fire #10 the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week honor for Week 8.
Chicago Fire Business Alliance to host networking event prior to Wednesday's match against Dynamo
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that the Chicago Fire Business Alliance (CFBA) will host its second networking event of the 2006 season this Wednesday, Aug. 30, in conjunction with the Fire's contest against the Houston Dynamo at TOYOTA PARK in Bridgeview. The event, to be held on the McDonald's Stage Deck at TOYOTA PARK, will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT, with kick-off between the Fire and Dynamo set for 8:00 p.m. Current members of the CFBA are allotted four passes to the event for clients and co-workers, but must RSVP to Fire Premium Seating Coordinator Jen Hall (jhall@Chicago-Fire.com or 708-496-6757) by end of business on Tuesday, Aug. 29 to secure the passes. Passes for non-members of the CFBA and passes for additional guests are also available for only $30, but must also be ordered by Tuesday. To find more information on how to help build your business through the Chicago Fire Business Alliance, please click on the "Fire Business Alliance" link in the "TICKETS" section of www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Fire continues homestand Sunday against Bruce Arena and his Red Bulls
The Fire will end the League portion of its five-game TOYOTA PARK homestand this Sunday, Sept. 3, when the "Men in Red" will host the new look New York Red Bulls (6-7-10, 28 pts.), now under the direction of former U.S. National Team boss Bruce Arena, in a match presented by Comcast SportsNet-Chicago at 6:00 p.m. CT. Comcast SportsNet will telecast the match live, and fans can also tune into WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish), WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish) and www.Chicago-Fire.com (Comcast SportsNet audio simulcast) to follow the action. Arena won't be the only new face on the Red Bulls making his first appearance of the season against Chicago, as former Fire midfielder Dema Kovalenko will take to the TOYOTA PARK field for the first time in what will be a crucial contest for positioning in the Eastern Conference standings, the Fire currently sitting just three points in front of the fifth-place Red Bulls heading into this week's play.
Sunday will mark the third of four meetings this season between the Fire and Red Bulls, with Chicago leading the series by a 1-0-1 margin. The two sides last met on June 25, when the Fire used goals from midfielders Chris Armas and Thiago to record a 2-0 victory over the Red Bulls in the Grand Opening match at the Fire's new home of TOYOTA PARK. The two teams opened up the season series with a 1-1 draw at Giants Stadium on May 13, as goals from now former Red Bulls forward Jean Philippe Peguero and Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez gave the teams a share of the points. This year's results have bumped the Fire's all-time mark in MLS play against the New York franchise to 14-7-5 (.635), which includes a 7-3-3 mark in home contests.
Forward Andy Herron answers Costa Rica's call to Four Nations Tournament in Switzerland
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that forward Andy Herron has been selected to the Costa Rican National Team that will take part in the Four Nations Tournament in Switzerland beginning this weekend. The 28-year-old Herron will be available for selection for the Fire's match against Houston Dynamo this Wednesday, Aug. 30 and will depart to join his "Ticos" teammates in Europe the following day. Costa Rica will join host Switzerland, Austria and Venezuela in the exhibition tournament, with the "Ticos" slated to take on Austria this Saturday, Sept. 2, and Switzerland next Wednesday, Sept. 6, with both matches taking place in Geneva. Herron, who has scored seven goals across his last nine MLS and U.S. Open Cup contests for the Fire, has tallied four goals in his 17 appearances for Costa Rica's senior side, the last coming in a substitute role during a 0-0 draw at Trinidad & Tobago in a CONCACAF region World Cup qualifier on Mar. 30, 2005.
Fire to host final of 2006 Pepsi Showdown at TOYOTA PARK as part of Sept. 23 doubleheader
Chicago Fire Soccer is proud to announce that the club will host the final of the 2006 Pepsi Showdown high school boys soccer tournament as part of a doubleheader with the Fire's regular season contest against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, Sept. 23. The Pepsi Showdown final will be held at 3:00 p.m. CT, with the Fire and Galaxy kicking off later that evening at 7:30 p.m. In just its third year, the Pepsi Showdown has grown to become the largest non-state tournament in the Midwest - and one of the largest in the country - with this year's 34-team competition set to kick-off first round action next Tuesday, Sept. 5. For more information on the Pepsi Showdown, including the full tournament bracket, visit www.pepsishowdown.us.
Chicago Fire/Performance PT "Recovery Room"
Capano, Craig - L knee derangement - OUT (Season Ending Injury list)
Curtin, Jeff - R adductor strain - OUT
Montz, Jared - L adductor strain - DOUBTFUL
Rolfe, Chris - L hamstring contusion - QUESTIONABLE
Fire & Rose Paving continue Steamroll Hunger Food Drive throughout September
In an effort to help the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD), Rose Paving Company and Chicago Fire Soccer are partnering in the 1st Annual Steamroll Hunger Food Drive. During the month-long event, both organizations will collect non-perishable food items for the GCFD as a friendly way to help neighbors in need. Donations will be accepted through Sept. 25 and can be dropped off at Rose Paving's Headquarters (7300 W. 100th Place) or at TOYOTA PARK (7000 S. Harlem Ave), both located in south suburban Bridgeview. In addition, the Fire will also be collecting donations at TOYOTA PARK entrance gates at each of the club's upcoming MLS regular season and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games between now and Sept. 25, including this week's contests on Wednesday (Houston Dynamo, 8:00 p.m. CT) and Sunday (New York Red Bulls, 6:00 p.m. CT).
Fire to Present Sixth Annual Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night on Saturday, Sept. 23
For the sixth consecutive year, the Chicago Fire will be presenting Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night, to be held on Saturday, Sept. 23 during the Fire's match against the Los Angeles Galaxy at TOYOTA PARK (7:30 p.m., CSN). As part of the celebration, the Fire and Budweiser will recognize 50 individuals who have made significant contributions to Chicago's Hispanic community in the areas of education, sports, arts & sciences and social work. In addition, the Chicago Fire and Anheuser Busch will also be awarding an academic scholarship to a college bound individual amongst this year's honorees. Along with Budweiser, the Fire would like to thank Western Union, James Hardie, DeVry University and Federal Life and media partners Univision Radio, Extra Newspaper and Telemundo Chicago for their support of this year's Hispanic Heritage Night.
The Fire's rendering of Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night this year promises to showcase Latin America's rich musical and soccer heritage. The day's events will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the popular Hispanic Festival, featuring musical acts representing various Latin American cultures. The pre-game program will include live performances by Mariachi Monumental, Grupo Duranguense, Tierra Caliente and a Brazilian samba group- all of which will start at 6:00 p.m. at Fire Fest. For more information on Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night, please visit www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Tickets for Fire-D.C. United Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal tilt now available
After collecting home wins against the Kansas City Wizards and New England Revolution earlier in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the Chicago Fire will again play host to an Eastern Conference foe in the tournament's semifinal round, as the Fire will welcome D.C. United to TOYOTA PARK for a "final four" match-up set for next Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. CT. All tickets for the match are on sale for $20 (Club Seating excluded), with the best available seats offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at 312-559-1212 or by visiting www.TicketMaster.com. Tickets are also available at the TOYOTA PARK Box Office, located at 7000 S. Harlem Ave., in Bridgeview. The TOYOTA PARK Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT and on the day of the event. Full Season, Half Season and Flex Plan ticket holders are encouraged to call the Fire's Customer Service Hotline at 708-496-6800 to receive information on how to receive ticket and parking information in advance of the contest.
Don't miss out on the McDonald's Four-Pack special offer
The Fire, in partnership with McDonald's Owners of Chicagoland & NW Indiana, has announced a unique opportunity to feed its fans' hunger for both delicious food and exciting soccer with the new McDonald's Four-Pack ticket package. The McDonald's Four-Pack deal consists of four McDonald's Stage Deck tickets (sections 135-139) at TOYOTA PARK, as well as four vouchers redeemable for any McDonald's Value Meal at participating McDonald's restaurants in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. The new McDonald's Four-Pack is available for all of the Fire's remaining home MLS regular season contests this season. Fans can purchase this special offer online by visiting the "Tickets" section of www.Chicago-Fire.com, via phone by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or in person by visiting the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office, located on the east side of TOYOTA PARK (7000 S. Harlem Ave.) during normal business hours or on game days.
Fire Reserves see winless streak extend to six games in 1-0 loss to Rapids Reserves
The Chicago Fire Reserves saw their counterparts from the Colorado Rapids reverse Saturday night's MLS regular season encounter, as Colorado defeated Chicago 1-0 in MLS Reserve Division play Sunday at Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, IL. The match remained scoreless until the 85th minute, when Rapids striker Melvin Tarley put home the game's decisive goal from six yards out. The result pushes the Fire Reserves (2-4-2, 8 pts.) current winless streak to six games, while the Rapids Reserves (7-1-0, 21 pts.) used their seventh-straight victory to take over sole possession of first place in the single-table MLS Reserve Division standings.
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* Major League Soccer has announced that it has switched the game-time for the Fire vs. Columbus Crew meeting on Sept. 9 at Crew Stadium. Kick-off is now set for 5:00 p.m. CT (formerly 6:30 p.m. CT). The game-time switch will allow Crew Stadium to remain open and host a viewing party for the Ohio State-Texas college football game that kicks off at 7 p.m. CT.
* The Fire would like to extend belated happy birthday greetings to the team's leader on the field, captain Chris Armas. The veteran midfielder and "Fire Original" celebrated his 34th birthday on Sunday, Aug. 27.
