Chicago Fire @ Columbus Crew - Saturday, September 8, 2007 - Fire Match #23 - MLS Match #146
TV: Direct Kick Package, MLSLive.tv
RADIO: WRTO-1200 AM (Oscar Guzman, "Batata" DaSilva, Enrique "Tico" Fernandez)
Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew
The race to the playoffs heats up Saturday night as the Chicago Fire (7-10-5, 26 pts.) take to the road to face the Columbus Crew (6-7-10, 28 pts.) at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The "Men in Red" enter their second-straight Eastern Conference road contest, dropping a 1-0 decision to the New York Red Bulls last Saturday at Giants Stadium. The Crew have seen crucial points slip away as of late, going winless in their past five games with three ties, including a 1-1 draw in Columbus versus the Colorado Rapids last Sunday. Kick-off for Saturday's match is 6:30 p.m. CT and will be televised live nationally on the Direct Kick package and broadcast over the airwaves on Chicagoland radio station WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish).
Chicago Fire/AthletiCo "Recovery Room" :: September 4
Curtin, Jeff - R groin strain - PROBABLE
Curtin, Jim - R shoulder labral tear - OUT FOR SEASON
Guerrero, Ivan - L ankle sprain - QUESTIONABLE
Gutierrez, Diego - R foot contusion - PROBABLE
Mapp, Justin - R ankle sprain - OUT
Russolillo, Jordan - R hip labrum tear - OUT FOR SEASON
Soumare, Bakary - R hindfoot sprain - PROBABLE
Telesford, Osei - L groin strain - OUT
Chicago Fire Weekly Agenda
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6726 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Monday, September 3: OFF
Tuesday, September 4: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, September 5: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, September 6: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Friday, September 7: Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:30 a.m. - CLOSED, Depart for Columbus, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 8: Chicago Fire @ Columbus Crew, 6:30 p.m. - Crew Stadium
Sunday, September 9: Arrive in Chicago, 10:00 a.m.
Fire History vs. Crew
This Saturday will mark the third of three regular season meetings between Chicago and Columbus, with the Fire winning the first contest in a 3-2 victory at TOYOTA PARK (June 3). The "Men in Red" couldn't find their offense against the Crew in the second meeting (Aug. 4) in Bridgeview, as a scoreless draw in front of a capacity crowd of 20,358 witnessed the MLS home debut of Cuauhtémoc Blanco. The Fire split the 2006 season series 1-1-2, with unlikely scorer C.J. Brown's first goal in 201 regular season games proving to be the game-winner in a 2-1 win at Columbus (9/9). The Fire and Crew dueled to a pair of draws earlier in the 2006 season, a 1-1 stalemate in Ohio's capital city (4/15) and a 0-0 tie in Columbus' TOYOTA PARK debut (7/29). The lone Fire loss came in a heavy 4-1 defeat (10/07) at TOYOTA PARK in the regular season finale. Chicago have compiled a 16-10-8 mark in regular season play against "America's Hardest Working Team," with a 7-5-4 record in games contested in the Buckeye State.
"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly" Radio Show - Fire Forward Chris Rolfe
"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. 4, 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 Fire forward Chris Rolfe, second-leading scorer on the squad with four goals and three assists. 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.
Midfielder Thiago Waived
Chicago Fire Soccer announced Tuesday that the organization has waived midfielder Thiago, opening a Senior International roster spot on the Fire's 28-man roster. Colombian defender Wilman Conde, who signed with the Fire on Aug. 16, will fill the Senior International roster spot and be available to play for the team pending work visa approval. In Thiago's three seasons in Chicago, the 25-year-old midfielder played in a total of 67 games (55 starts), registering nine goals and 10 assists in his 5,018 minutes of play.
"Thiago is a good player," said Chicago Fire Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "The decision to let him go was based on a need to strengthen our defensive line and the only way to do that was to let go of one of our internationals for Wilman (Conde)."
Fire Players Around the Town
Fans of the Fire should be on lookout as members of the "Men in Red" make public appearances around Chicagoland this week. On Saturday, Sept. 8, Fire rookie midfielder Mike Banner will be spending time with Lemont AYSO from 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. CT at Centennial Park, located at 16028 127th Street, in Lemont, Ill. Fire forward Floyd Franks will be celebrating "Fiesta Para Todos" from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT this Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Brookfield Zoo, located at 3300 Golf Rd., in Brookfield, Ill.
Chicago Represented on U.S. Roster vs. Brazil
On Monday, U.S. Soccer announced the 19-man roster that will face five-time World Cup champions Brazil on Sept. 9 at Soldier Field, in Chicago. Striker Josh Wolff (1998-2002), who makes his first trip with the U.S. since the 2006 FIFA World Cup, joins midfielder DaMarcus Beasley (2000-04) and defender Carlos Bocanegra (2000-03) 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 the roster hold 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.
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.
Blanco on National Public Radio's "Only A Game"
Blanco recently sat down with Yolanda 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 aired live this past Saturday from affiliate WBUR in Boston, Mass. and was broadcast nationwide. To listen to an archived version of the show, visit www.onlyagame.org or download it via the "Only A Game" podcast on iTunes. 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.
Fire Reserves Lose 1-0 to Red Bulls Reserves
The Chicago Fire 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. The Reserves allowed a goal from Red Bulls midfielder Mike Magee in the 11th minute that proved to be the game-winning tally. Chicago had a chance to tie the contest in the game's final seconds, but forward Chad Barrett's penalty kick attempt was stopped to the right of the goal by Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero. The Fire played most of the game a player down after defender Dasan Robinson was ejected with a second yellow in the 25th minute. The Chicago Reserves return to action on Sunday, Sept. 16, in a rematch against New York at TOYOTA PARK.
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.
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.
MLS Represent Campaign Song "Here Comes the Fire" Available on iTunes
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.
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.
