The Chicago Fire (7-9-5, 26 pts.) will be in a New York state of mind Saturday night as they face the Red Bulls (10-9-3, 33 pts.) at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Chicago has seen their offense ignite with two goals in each of the team's past three games, including a 2-0 shutout win over the Kansas City Wizards last Saturday at TOYOTA PARK. New York look to rebound after losing back-to-back away games at D.C. United (Aug. 22) and the New England Revolution (Aug. 25), yet have won in three of their past four league matches in the Big Apple. Kick-off for Saturday's match is 6:30 p.m. CT and will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet and broadcast over the airwaves locally 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, August 27:
OFF
Tuesday, August 28:
Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 29:
Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, August 30:
Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Friday, August 31:
Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, September 1:
Chicago Fire @ New York Red Bulls, 6:30 p.m. - Giants Stadium - Comcast SportsNet
Sunday, September 2:
OFF
"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly" Radio Show - Director of Soccer & Team Development, Roland Hahn
"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, Aug. 28, 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 talk with Fire Director of Soccer & Team Development, Roland Hahn, discussing the Chicago club's commitment to youth development, as well as preview this Saturday's game at New York. 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.
Barrett Strike Could Snag Fire's Second-Straight Goal of the Week
Last Wednesday at Kansas City, Fire forward Chad Barrett took a long through-ball from Cuauhtémoc Blanco in first-half stoppage time, faded away from the defense and struck a left-footed shot past Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman for his fifth goal of the 2007 campaign. Now that strike goes up against four other strong contenders with a chance to be the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week for Week 21. If Barrett should win, it would be the second-straight Goal of the Week for the "Men in Red" following Blanco's Week 20 winner. Scoring his first MLS career goal in the 43rd minute against Real Salt Lake on Aug. 18, Blanco trapped the ball and ripped a long-range strike from 20 yards out into the upper-right corner of the goal. That game-winning goal beat out four other contenders for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week in Week 20. Check out the "Blanco Blast" and Barrett's latest tally at www.mlsnet.com.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco on National Public Radio Saturday
Blanco recently sat down with Yolando Perdomo of National Public Radio's "Only A Game" show to talk about his experience so far with the Chicago Fire. The show's segment is set to air this Saturday, Sept. 1, airing from affiliate WBUR in Boston, M.A. and broadcast nationwide. An award-winning weekly sports magazine hosted by veteran NPR commentator Bill Littlefield, Only A Game is radio for the serious sports fan and the steadfast sports avoider. Produced by WBUR, Only A Game puts sports in perspective with intelligent analysis, insightful interviews, and a keen sense humor. To catch Blanco on this Saturday's show, visit www.onlyagame.org.
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 p.m. CT start. Parking and admission to this event is free to the public, with parking lots opening at 6 p.m. CT. Fans are asked to enter through Gate C at 7 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.
MLS Represent Campaign Song "Here Comes the Fire" Available on iTunes
Local Chicagoland band "OK Go" has contributed their talents to the new adidas "MLS Represent" campaign with the song "Here Comes the Fire," now available through the Chicago Fire iTunes podcast subscription. MLS Represent is a call to action for all MLS fans, asking them to pick their favorite MLS team and support them via the originally created song by each local artist. Fans have the opportunity to customize music videos online using the anthems mashed-up with MLS footage and can then share their videos with friends and rivals, giving U.S. soccer fans a new way to "represent" their favorite MLS team. For more information on the latest MLS Represent campaign, visit www.adidas.com/us.
2007 Frank Klopas Golf Outing Set for September 10
On Monday, Sept. 10, the FireWorks for Kids Foundation will hold its sixth annual golf outing at Silver Lakes Country Club, in Orland Park, Ill. Former Fire forward Frank Klopas, who also serves on the Board of Directors for the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, gives his name and support to this golf outing. Celebrities who have attended in the past have included: Billy Pierce, Gene Heiser, Willy Roy, Paul Popovich, Ronnie Bull, Mike Pyle, Bill Wennington, Bob Love, and Billy Leagans. The entire Chicago Fire team and coaching staff will be on hand for the day as well. Every foursome will golf with a celebrity in a scramble format. The day will include 18 holes of golf with a chance to win a car, lunch, a cocktail reception, and conclude with a buffet dinner and prizes. For more information please call the FireWorks For Kids Foundation at 708-496-6740 or e-mail jyavitz@chicago-fire.com.
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.
