Fire Opens Up the Open Cup Wednesday With Fourth Round Match Against Kansas City Wizards
The Chicago Fire has one more bit of business to tend to before it takes off for the All-Star break, as the "Men in Red" will open up play in the 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by hosting a Fourth Round match-up against the Kansas City Wizards this Wednesday, Aug. 2 at TOYOTA PARK at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the Open Cup clash - all of which are on sale on a best-seat-available basis for only $15 (Club Seating excluded) - are now on sale and can be purchased at the TOYOTA PARK Box Office located at 7000 S. Harlem Avenue, by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or visiting www.Chicago-Fire.com. Fans that cannot make it out to the corner of 71st & Harlem can follow the action live via an audio webcast at www.Chicago-Fire.com (English).
The Fire has enjoyed unparalleled success in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup since the team's inception in 1998, going 20-5-2 all-time in the tournament and lifting the coveted Dewar Trophy three times - 1998, 2000 and 2003 - in the club's first seven seasons while also finishing as the runners-up in the 2004 edition. The match against Kansas City will mark the Fire's first home contest in the competition since a thrilling 1-0 double overtime win over the Charleston Battery in a 2004 semifinal match played at Naperville's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. The Fire has enjoyed plenty of success against MLS competition in the Open Cup, going 11-3-1 against its League brethren in the tournament.
Fire Welcomes the World to TOYOTA PARK for Saturday's 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game vs. Chelsea FC
The big week has arrived, as the 2006 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game is now just days away from Saturday's 5:30 p.m. CT kick-off at TOYOTA PARK (live on ESPN). The match, which is officially sold out, will pit the best of MLS, including Fire forward Nate Jaqua, against arguably the top club on the planet, two-time reigning English Premier League champion Chelsea FC. The English giants, whose stable of stars includes Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko, Arjen Robben, John Terry and Frank Lampard, will arrive in Chicago on Thursday, while the MLS All-Stars will trickle into Chicago on Wednesday and Thursday. A complete schedule of the events surrounding the MLS All-Star Weekend - including practice times, media availability and credential pick-up information - will be distributed to media in the upcoming days.
Chicago Fire/Performance PT "Recovery Room"
Curtin, Jeff - R adductor strain - OUT
Russolillo, Jordan - concussion - OUT
Thorrington, John - R MCL sprain - OUT
Second Annual "United by Soccer" Media Scrimmage Set for Next Tuesday, Aug. 8 at TOYOTA PARK
For those media members who yearn to prove all those "Soccer is for wimps" columns false, now's the time to lace up your boots, strap on those shin guards and hit the pitch. The Fire is proud to announce that its second annual "United by Soccer" Media Scrimmage will be held next Tuesday, Aug. 8 on the pristine TOYOTA PARK field, beginning after the completion of the Fire's practice session at 11:30 a.m. CT. This year's match, which tentatively features guest captain Ozzie Guillen of the World Champion Chicago White Sox, will be played in two, 20-minute halves. Plenty of cold beverages (and paramedics) will be provided during the match and a lunch for the day's "stars" will be available on the TOYOTA PARK stage following the match. To reserve your spot in this year's "United by Soccer" line-up, please RSVP via email to dlopez@chicago-fire.com by Monday, Aug. 7 at 12:00 p.m. CT.
Chicago Fire Premier Season Ends One Game Short of PDL's "Final Four"
The Chicago Fire Premier, the Fire's USL Premier Development League affiliate, saw their bid for a spot in the PDL National Semifinals fall short after suffering a 4-1 loss in the Central Conference Final against the Michigan Bucks last Saturday in Des Moines, IA. The loss came just one day after a thrilling semifinal round win over the hosts, the Des Moines Menace. After playing to a 1-1 tie against a 10-man Menace side, the requisite overtime saw both teams score twice to end play at 3-3. The ensuing penalty kick shootout saw the Fire Premier come away with a 5-3 advantage en route to qualifying for its third Central Conference Final appearance in four seasons. The Bucks, who bowled over #3 seeded Boulder Rapids Reserves 4-0 Friday night, took it to the fatigued Fire Premier despite having to come back from an early CFP goal. The Fire Premier had nothing left after the early strike as the Bucks put four straight in the back of the net to take the title. The Fire Premier end their season with a 15-3-0 overall record and a sixth Great Lakes Division crown in as many seasons.
Etc.
The Fire would like to extend happy birthday wishes to midfielder Brian Plotkin. The "hometown hero" out of Naperville will kick off his All-Star Break by turning 22 years old on Thursday, Aug. 3.
