Fire to hold lone Chicagoland practice of preseason tomorrow at McCook Athletic & Exposition Center
After undergoing physicals this morning at TOYOTA PARK, the Chicago Fire will officially get back in the swing of things on Tuesday, Feb. 6, when the squad will conduct its only practice in Chicagoland until April at the McCook Athletic & Exposition (MAX) Center, located at 4750 Vernon Avenue in southwest suburban McCook, Ill., from 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT.
Save the dates... Fire to announce 2007 regular season schedule tomorrow
The wait is nearly over, as Chicago Fire Soccer is expected to announce the club's 2007 regular season schedule on Tuesday in conjunction with Major League Soccer's other 12 squads. The Fire has already announced the first of its 30-game MLS slate, as the "Men in Red" will play the first of 15 games at TOYOTA PARK this season against the New England Revolution on Saturday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. CT. National television broadcast information will be announced as part of the schedule, with the Fire set to announce its regional television package in the upcoming weeks.
Fire escapes to Florida for first leg of preseason on Wednesday
With the brutally cold weather gripping Chicagoland over the last few days, the Chicago Fire is more than happy to escape to warmer climates for the start of its preseason, which will begin in earnest this Wednesday, Feb. 7 when the squad heads to its traditional spring training starting point, the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. The Fire will spend eight days in Bradenton and take part in its first exhibition against the U.S. Under-17 Men's National Team this Saturday, Feb. 10 at 4:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. CT). After a four-day trip to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. from Feb. 15-18 for a pair of contests in Disney's Presidents' Day Soccer Festival IX, the Fire returns to Bradenton to close out the first leg of preseason from Feb. 19-22. For the Fire's full preseason schedule, please visit www.chicago-fire.com.
Fire forward Ryan Coiner announces retirement from professional soccer
The Chicago Fire announced today that recently acquired forward Ryan Coiner is retiring from professional soccer to pursue an opportunity in the business world. The 27-year-old Coiner, who spent three seasons in the lower divisions of Germany before signing with the Columbus Crew last July, was acquired by the Fire in a draft day trade on Jan. 12 along with the second overall selection in the 2007 SuperDraft - which was used on defender Bakary Soumare - in exchange for forward Andy Herron. Coiner played in six games for the Crew during his brief MLS career, including four starts, and registered one assist in League play.
Mapp and Rolfe make U.S. squad for Wednesday's clash against Mexico
U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley announced last week that Chicago Fire midfielder Justin Mapp and forward Chris Rolfe have been named to the USA's 20-man roster that will take on archrival Mexico in an international friendly this Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 8:25 p.m. CT at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (live coverage on ESPN2 and Univision begins at 8:00 p.m. CT). Both Mapp and Rolfe played in the United States' first match of the year on Jan. 20, a 3-1 win over Denmark in which Rolfe got a starting nod in his fifth "cap" and Mapp garnered his first career point in international play by tallying a game-winning assist in just his second senior appearance. Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens and defender Dasan Robinson were with the U.S. MNT for its second training camp of the season that ended over the weekend, but neither player was retained for the Mexico game.
Watch Wednesday's USA-Mexico clash with the Fire at The Globe Pub
Chicago Fire Soccer invites one and all to head to The Globe Pub, located at 1934 W. Irving Park Rd. on Chicago's north side, this Wednesday evening to watch the latest installment in the rivalry between the national teams of the United States and Mexico. The festivities at The Globe Pub will begin at 8:00 p.m. CT, with kick-off between the "Red, White & Blue" - including the Fire duo of Justin Mapp and Chris Rolfe - and the "Tricolores" set for 8:25 p.m. Fire front office staff will be on hand Wednesday night with information on the best way to see the Fire at TOYOTA PARK for the 2007 season and plenty of Chicago Fire giveaways, including new T-shirts for the 2007 season and more. For more information, visit the "FANS" section of www.chicago-fire.com or www.theglobepub.com.
Head Coach Dave Sarachan to host online chat on www.chicago-fire.com tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.
Chicago Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan will answer questions from fans during an online chat tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 6, that will be hosted on the club's official website, www.chicago-fire.com, beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT. Fans can submit their questions for Sarachan, who is preparing for his fifth season at the helm of the "Men in Red," until the start of the event by visiting the following link: http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/t100/fans/chat/2007/02/sarachan/.
Defender Osei Telesford earns another feather in "cap" for T&T National Team in loss to Costa Rica
Chicago Fire defender Osei Telesford earned his fifth career appearance for the Trinidad & Tobago Senior National Team on Sunday afternoon against Costa Rica, but the result left plenty to be desired as T&T fell 4-0 to the "ticos" at Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium in Alajuela, Costa Rica. As he did in the "Soca Warriors'" four matches in the recently completed 2007 Digicel Caribbean Cup, Telesford logged the entire 90 minutes in the match. Telesford is expected to join the Fire for the first time later this week at the club's preseason camp in Bradenton, Fla.
Fire completes preseason schedule with eight-day visit to The Home Depot Center in March
The Chicago Fire completed the last piece in its preseason puzzle by announcing the squad will finish the third leg of its spring training schedule with an eight-day camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. from March 18-24. The "Men in Red" are slated to take on The HDC's main tenants - the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA - in scrimmages on Tuesday, March 20 (11:00 a.m. local, 1:00 p.m. CT) and Saturday, March 24 (10:00 a.m. local, 12:00 p.m. CT), respectively, during the trip out west. The journey to Southern California will come on the heels of a four-day stay in Oklahoma City from March 15-18, which will be highlighted by an exhibition at the University of Oklahoma in Norman against Brimstone Cup rival FC Dallas on Saturday, March 17.
The Globe Pub to host Quiz Night Fundraiser on behalf of Bill Quigley next Tuesday, Feb. 13
Chicago Fire Soccer encourages all friends of the Fire and soccer to attend The Globe Pub's weekly Quiz Night next Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 8:00 p.m., which will serve as a fundraiser in benefit of TheFireAlarm.com editor Bill Quigley. All participants at Quiz Night next Tuesday will be asked to donate $5, with all funds raised going to offset medical costs for Quigley, who suffered a stroke on Jan. 19 and has been recovering at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center since then. In addition to the donations, the Chicago Fire and Chicago Storm will be donating items for auction to raise money for the fund. For more information about the Pub Quiz for Bill, visit www.theglobepub.com or email The Globe at inquiries@theglobepub.com.
Fire fans invited to Section 8 Chicago's Annual General Meeting on Feb. 18 at TOYOTA PARK
All Fire fans are invited to attend the Section 8 Chicago Independent Supporters Association (ISA) 2007 Annual General Meeting, taking place on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT. The 2007 AGM is the official annual gathering for the Section 8 Chicago ISA, the umbrella independent supporters association of all Chicago Fire supporters' groups and a registered Illinois nonprofit organization. Elections for the coming year, recognition of supporters' groups for 2007, and other official business/planning will begin to be set at the meeting, which is open to all fans of the Fire. If any Fire fan has interest in assisting or being involved with Fire supporters' groups for the coming year, or has ideas about what's going on regarding the groups, this is the time to come out and voice them. Prior to the start of the meeting, members of the Fire front office staff will provide fans tours of TOYOTA PARK at 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. For more information on the Fire's independent supporters groups, please visit www.section8chicago.com.
Chicago Fire Business Alliance to host Fire Corporate Reception at TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club on March 1
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced the Chicago Fire Business Alliance will hold its first event of 2007 on Thursday, March 1 with the Chicago Fire Corporate Reception at TOYOTA PARK's Stadium Club, located at 7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview. The event runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. CT. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes tour of TOYOTA PARK and will have an opportunity to win exclusive Chicago Fire and MLS memorabilia, including a soccer ball autographed by Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham. Invited guests will also have the opportunity to learn about the Fire's Employee and Client Programs and Corporate Hospitality options for their companies. In addition, Levy Restaurants will provide complimentary food and beverages for the 500-plus invitees at the reception, which provides an excellent business-to-business networking opportunity. Those interested in attending the reception should RSVP by Feb. 22 by calling (708) 496-6868 or emailing corporatereception@chicago-fire.com. For more information on the Chicago Fire Business Alliance please visit the "Tickets" section of www.Chicago-Fire.com and click on the "Fire Business Alliance" link.
Save the date! FireWorks for Kids Foundation to host Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon on Tuesday, April 3
The FireWorks for Kids Foundation will help the Chicago Fire start its season off once again, as the club's charitable arm has announced the Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon, sponsored by Ticketmaster, will be held on Tuesday, April 3 at the Hilton Chicago and Towers, located at 720 S. Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago. As it has for the previous eight years, the Season Kickoff Luncheon will provide Chicago soccer fans the first opportunity of the year to meet their favorite Fire players and coaches, and will be one of the few events of the season featuring the club's full roster. The event includes a reception followed by lunch and a short program and also features the popular silent auction, which will include Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates and much more. Tables of 10 cost $550 and individual tickets are $65 each. The first 20 full paid tables will get to sit with a Chicago Fire player (individual player appearances are tentative and subject to change). This popular event will sell out, so act quickly and order your tickets today. For more information on the Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon or to purchase tickets for the event, please call the FWFK Foundation 708-496-6740.
Guarantee your seats for ALL Fire matches in 2007 with a Chicago Fire Season Ticket package
The Chicago Fire's 2007 schedule will be announced soon, and the only way you can currently ensure your spot at TOYOTA PARK for the Fire's 10th season in MLS and special international matches throughout the year is by purchasing a Chicago Fire Soccer Season Ticket package. All Chicago Fire season tickets for the team's 2007 season in Bridgeview are now on sale, and 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 Full Season packages starting at $320. Fans wanting more information, including all the benefits that go along with being a Fire Season Ticket Holder, are encouraged to call the Fire Ticket Hotline at 708-496-6800 or click on the "TICKETS" link at www.chicago-fire.com for more details.
