Weekly update: Preseason wins

Fire's Florida training camp off to fast start with pair of wins; three more games on tap this week


The Chicago Fire kicked off the match portion of its 2007 preseason last Saturday at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. by showing the "kids" how it's done in defeating the University of South Florida 4-0 in a morning contest before blanking the United States Under-17 Men's National Team 2-0 in a 70-minute scrimmage in the afternoon. Six different players would tally the Fire's goals on the day and eight players registered assists, the scoring barrage led by forwards Calen Carr and Jerson Monteiro, each of whom registered a goal and an assist, and midfielder Logan Pause, the only member of the "Men in Red" who logged multiple assists with a pair of helpers on the day.

The Fire will shift its focus to fellow MLS sides this week, beginning with a scrimmage against the Columbus Crew on Tuesday morning at the IMG Academies. After one more day of training in Bradenton on Wednesday, the Fire will move its camp to the center of the "Sunshine State" for a pair of contests in the Disney President's Day Weekend Showcase IX at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Fire will square off against the Houston Dynamo on Friday night and take on Real Salt Lake on Sunday evening before heading back to Bradenton for the final four days of the Florida leg of its preseason camp.

2007 Chicago Fire Preseason Schedule

Forward Chad Barrett named to U.S. Under-23 National Team Camp Roster
Fire forward Chad Barrett was one of 20 players invited by United States Under-23 Head Coach Bob Bradley to a weeklong training camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. in preparation for a two-match tour of Japan. Barrett, one of 17 MLS players taking part in the camp, registered an assist in the Fire's 4-0 win over South Florida last Saturday morning before departing for the U-23 camp that afternoon. The U-23s began the camp last Friday and will depart Southern California for the Far East this Friday, Feb. 16. The U-23s will play two matches, against the Japan Under-22 Men's National Team on Feb. 21 and a Japanese club team two days later. This will be the first gathering of the U-23 MNT since the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in August of 2004, and the first under the "Fire Original" duo of Bradley and assistant coach Peter Nowak.

Fire announces schedule for 2007 MLS regular season
The Chicago Fire last week announced its much-anticipated schedule for the 2007 MLS regular season, the club's tenth campaign in America's top-flight league. Chicago has blockbuster games bookending its 30-game slate, starting with the renewal of what is considered by many as the top rivalry in MLS when the Fire welcomes the defending Eastern Conference champion New England Revolution to TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, April 7 (7:30 p.m. CT). TOYOTA PARK will also be the setting for the end of the Fire's season on Sunday, Oct. 21, when global superstar David Beckham, U.S. National Team stalwart Landon Donovan and the rest of the Los Angeles Galaxy come to the corner of 71st & Harlem for a 2:00 p.m. CT affair that will mark the finish of the MLS regular season. For the Fire's complete 2007 schedule and ticket information, please visit the club's official website, www.chicago-fire.com.

Fire fans invited to Section 8 Chicago's Annual General Meeting Sunday at TOYOTA PARK
All Fire fans are invited to attend the Section 8 Chicago Independent Supporters Association (ISA) 2007 Annual General Meeting, taking place this 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.

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 tomorrow, 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 on 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. In addition to the donations, the Chicago Fire and Chicago Storm of the MISL 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.

Rolfe earns another appearance in another USA victory over Mexico
Fire forward Chris Rolfe started for the second time in a row for United States Men's National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley, but this time the stakes were slightly higher than his "cap" against Denmark in January, as the USA registered a 2-0 win over Mexico last Wednesday in Glendale, Ariz. Unlike the Denmark contest, Rolfe started at his natural forward position and logged 64 minutes in what was his fifth career appearance at the senior international level. Rolfe is expected to join the Fire at its preseason camp in Bradenton, Fla. on Tuesday, while his fellow Fire teammate and U.S. camper, midfielder Justin Mapp, is set to join the "Men in Red" on Wednesday.

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 is finally official, and the only way you can currently ensure your spot at TOYOTA PARK for the Fire's tenth 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.

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