Fire gains momentum for Game One of Eastern Conference Semifinal Series vs. New England
After a strong 3-2 victory over Eastern Conference leaders D.C. United Sunday night at RFK Stadium to close out the 2006 MLS regular season, the Chicago Fire (13-11-8, 47 pts.) now focuses toward Game One of the club's Eastern Conference Semifinal Series versus the New England Revolution (12-8-12, 48 pts.) this Sunday, Oct. 22 at TOYOTA PARK. Fans unable to make it to 71st and Harlem for the 12:00 p.m. CT kick-off can watch the nationally televised broadcast on ABC Sports or listen to the action live on Chicagoland radio stations WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish).
The Fire and Revolution will meet two more times after finishing their 2006 MLS regular season series in late August. The Fire won its final regular season match-up against the Revs by a 1-0 score on Aug. 20 at Gillette Stadium, resulting in a 2-1-1 regular season advantage, with both wins coming in Foxboro. On Aug. 23 the Fire took another game from the Revs, a 2-1 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal victory to bring its 2006 overall record to 3-1-1. The Fire exorcised its Gillette Stadium demons in the teams' first meeting on Apr. 30 with a 2-1 win that snapped its overall nine-match road losing streak at New England. The Revolution came back to spoil the Fire's first-ever match at TOYOTA PARK on June 11, as the visitors tallied three times past the 87th minute to turn what appeared to be a sure Fire win into a 3-3 draw. The Fire was disappointed at home once again on July 8, as the Revs scored twice in the first half and held on for a 2-1 win in Bridgeview.
Chicago will be looking to top New England on the all-time ledger on Sunday, as the "Men in Red" have posted a 16-16-6 mark against the Revs in 38 MLS regular season, MLS Cup Playoff and U.S. Open Cup contests - the most games Chicago has played against any opponent in its nine-year history. The postseason series is also split right down the middle at 4-4-0, with both teams collecting a 2-1-0 series win in the MLS Quarterfinals (Chicago in 2000 and New England in 2002) and a triumph in the Eastern Conference Championship, with the Fire advancing to MLS Cup in 2003 via a 1-0 win and the Revolution exacting revenge last season with a 1-0 victory of their own. Upon the conclusion of the upcoming two-leg series, the 10 postseason meetings between the Fire and Revolution will mark the most between any two sides in MLS Cup Playoff history, surpassing the nine playoff contests between the Kansas City Wizards and Los Angeles Galaxy.
Tickets for Fire's 2006 MLS Cup Playoff debut on Sunday now on sale, including "Do the Double 4-Packs"
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced its ticket information for the club's Game One home leg of its 2006 Eastern Conference Semifinal Series versus the New England Revolution, set to take place this Sunday, Oct. 22 at 12:00 p.m. CT. Tickets start at just $20 for general admission "Firehouse" seats and can be purchased right now 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 also on the day of the event. Fire Club Seat holders, as well as Full Season and Half Season ticket holders will receive tickets for the event through the mail, while Flex Plan and Mini Plan holders will be able to purchase tickets at a discounted rate. Season ticket holders with any questions are asked to please call the Fire Customer Service Hotline at 708-496-6800.
Special "Do the Double 4-Packs" are also now available, starting as low as $96. The package includes four tickets to Sunday's Eastern Conference Semifinal match against New England and four "Do the Double" playoff T-shirts. Tickets for groups of 10 or more are also available for the Semifinal match-up, starting at $18 each, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Group seating can be purchased by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE.
Fire to host Official Playoff Kick-off Party Thursday night at Player's Bar & Grill
Fire fans can help the club kick off its attempt to "Do the Double" this Thursday, Oct. 19 by attending the Official Fire Playoff Kick-Off Party at Player's Bar & Grill, located in Chicago at 551 N. Ogden Ave, beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT. Budweiser and Red Bull will be on hand with drink specials on both beverages, while Fire front office staff will be giving away tickets for Sunday's Eastern Conference Semifinal Game One against New England, "Do the Double" Playoff T-Shirts and more great prizes all evening long. The Fire invites all fans to come out to Player's Bar & Grill to get in the spirit for Sunday's home playoff contest at TOYOTA PARK.
Forward Andy Herron wins 2006 Fire/Budweiser Golden Boot award
With his 80th-minute goal past D.C. United goalkeeper Nick Rimando in yesterday's 3-2 win over D.C. United, forward Andy Herron clinched his first ever Fire/Budweiser Golden Boot award. The 28-year old striker recorded nine goals and one assist in 1449 minutes of MLS regular season play, with a team-high five game-winning goals for the "Men in Red." After M/F Nate Jaqua pulled even with Herron in the 24th minute of Sunday's win by notching his eighth goal of the season, the Costa Rica international edged out Jaqua with his late-game heroics to earn the team's scoring title. Herron was also a force in this year's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, notching four goals and an assist in three games, including another game-winner in the Open Cup Final against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sept. 27.
Fire to announce winner of annual season-ending awards prior to Sunday's match vs. Revolution
The ballots are all in for this year's 2006 Chicago Fire/Honda MVP and Chicago Fire Defender of the Year awards, and Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that the winners of the annual honors, along with the recipient of the 2006 Fire/USSF Humanitarian of the Year award, will be recognized prior to the Fire's Eastern Conference Semifinal Series opener against the New England Revolution this Sunday at TOYOTA PARK. The Fire would like to thank all Chicagoland media members who turned in their top three nominees in the voting for the Fire/Honda MVP and Fire Defender of the Year awards, resulting in a near record "voter turnout" number.
Herron's blast up for MLS's Goal of the Week award
Fire forward Andy Herron's 80th-minute tally Sunday at D.C. United is one of five nominees for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week award for Week 29. Herron's game-winning strike capped a series of combination play that saw forward Nate Jaqua connect a pass to onrushing midfielder Ivan Guerrero, who found enough space in the United box to slot a pass to Herron. The Costa Rican striker took a touch before ripping a rocket of a shot from 16 yards out that kissed under the crossbar that gave the Fire a 3-1 lead and Herron his fifth game-winner of the campaign and his first Fire/Budweiser Golden Boot honor. Fans can click here or visit www.MLSnet.com and click on the "Sierra Mist Goal of the Week" logo through Wednesday to vote on Herron's goal as this week's winner.
2007 Chicago Fire Season Tickets now available
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that all Chicago Fire season tickets for the team's 2007 season at Bridgeview's TOYOTA PARK are now on sale. The Fire is proud to announce that Full Season, Half Season (10 tickets) and Flex Plan (20 tickets) prices in all seating areas will remain at their 2006 prices, with packages starting at $320. Current Season Ticket holders that renew this week for the 2007 campaign will receive a Fire Playoff T-Shirt and one pass per seat (or Flex Plan) for a special Playoff Kick-Off Party on the McDonald's Stage Deck prior to the Fire's Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series versus New England this Sunday, Oct. 22 at 12:00 p.m. CT. Season Ticket Holders are encouraged to call the Fire's Ticket Holder Hotline at 708-496-6800 or visit www.chicago-fire.com for more details.
Chicago Fire/Performance PT "Recovery Room"
Barrett, Chad - R fractured fifth metatarsal - OUT (Season Ending Injury list)
Capano, Craig - L knee derangement - OUT (Season Ending Injury list)
Curtin, Jeff - R adductor strain - OUT (Season Ending Injury list)
Gutierrez, Diego - L hamstring strain - QUESTIONABLE
Montz, Jared - L adductor strain - OUT (Season Ending Injury list)
Pause, Logan - R knee sprain - QUESTIONABLE
Etc.
