FIRE ANNOUNCE PROTECTED ROSTER LIST FOR 2007 EXPANSION DRAFT
With the upcoming San Jose Earthquakes expansion draft on Wednesday, Nov. 21, each MLS team is allowed to protect from selection 11 players off the 28-man roster. The Chicago Fire chose to protect a mixture of veteran and up-and-coming talent, most notably Fire "Original" C.J. Brown, Designated Player signing Cuauhtémoc Blanco, and the team's leading scorer for 2007, forward Chad Barrett. The following is the full list of the Fire's 11 protected players:
Goalkeepers: Matt Pickens
Defenders: Wilman Conde, C.J. Brown, Dasan Robinson, and Gonzalo Segares
Midfielders: Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Justin Mapp, and Logan Pause
Forwards: Chad Barrett, Calen Carr, and Chris Rolfe
** Midfielder Bakary Soumare is protected automatically as a Generation adidas player
DONALD ORTALE AND JESSICA YAVITZ NAMED COMMUNITY RELTATIONS EXECUTIVES OF THE YEAR
On the eve of its championship game, Major League Soccer honored Donald A. Ortale and Jessica Yavitz as MLS' top Community Relations Executives of the Year. Ortale serves as the Fire's Senior Director of Community Relations and CEO for the Fire Works for Kids Foundation. This year's award marks the fourth time Ortale has been honored as the MLS Community Relations Executive of the Year. Yavitz, who has been with the Fire since 1999, serves as Director of Community Relations for the Fire and Executive Director of the Fire Works for Kids Foundation. Yavitz oversees grass roots community relations efforts for the team, while coordinating events and player appearances in the Chicagoland area.
CARR PLAYS IN MEXICAN FLOOD RELIEF CHARITY MATCH
Chicago Fire forward Calen Carr was selected to be a guest player on the 19-man Chivas USA roster that played a benefit match versus Chivas de Guadalajara on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Guadalajara's Estadio Jalisco. Carr started and played the full 90 minutes in a 1-2 loss to the California team's parent club. Proceeds from the match benefited residents of the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas, where recent flooding has destroyed countless homes and prompted the evacuation of over a million inhabitants.
CUAUHTÉMOC BLANCO'S STRIKE WINS SIERRA MIST GOAL OF THE YEAR
Chicago Fire attacker Cuauhtémoc Blanco won the 2007 Sierra Mist Goal of the Year for his perfectly placed shot into the upper left corner of the goal in the Fire's 2-0 victory in Week 20 over Real Salt Lake. The Fire's star attacker raced down the left side of the field to collect a pass 25-yards-out from goal. After collecting the pass, Blanco struck a powerful left-footed volley that dipped over Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando and into the net for the goal. More than 500 goals were scored during the 2007 season, and according to fans who voted online at the League's website www.mlsnet.com, none were more spectacular than Blanco's left-footed volley. Voting started with fans able to select from 34 regular-season goals, which included the 29 winners of the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week and five additional nominees. Blanco became the second-ever Goal of the Year winner for the "Men in Red," as former Fire forward Damani Ralph took home the 2003 edition of the award.
FIRE ACADEMY HEAD COACH LOUIS MATEUS TO COACH U.S. U-14 BOYS NATIONAL TEAM
Now in his fifth year as an assistant coach for the U.S. U-14 Boys National Team, Chicago Fire Academy head coach Louis Mateus will join the youth national team from Nov. 21 - 26 in Orlando, Fla. for winter training camp. Mateus will run one of two full teams (36 players total) through three exhibition games in preparation for a move into the U-15 level. The winter training camp is one of four U-14 Boys National Team events throughout the year that brings together the top talent from all four regions across the U.S.
ACADEMY COACH TONY KEES NAMED ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR
Chicago Fire Academy assistant coach Tony Kees was recently named the Illinois High School Coach of the Year after concluding over 20 years of service at James B. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Kees was selected for the award by his Illinois High School State Coaches Association (IHSSCA) peers based on his kowledge of the game, rapport with his team, rapport with opponents, rapport with officials, personal conduct and character, and improvement or success of the school's program. The 48-year-old native of Chicago left his post after a 13-7 league season at Conant to become a full-time assistant with the Fire Academy on July 23, 2007.
ACADEMY FORWARD BRAD HORTON VOTED ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chicago Fire Academy signing Brad Horton, a senior forward for Sycamore High School of Sycamore, Ill., was voted as the Illinois High School Player of the Year, selected by the IHSSCA. A member of the under-17 U.S. Men's National Team pool, Illinois State ODP Team, and Rockford Raptors Soccer Club, Horton found the back of the net 40 times to go along with 12 assists and was named co-MVP of the Western Sun Conference.
WANCHOPE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
On Friday, Nov. 16, Chicago Fire forward Paulo Wanchope announced his retirement in a press conference held in San Rafael de Heredia, Costa Rica. Wanchope, 31, ended a 13-year professional career including appearances in Costa Rica, England, Qatar, Spain, Japan, and the United States. After signing with the Fire in July of 2007, Wanchope appeared in 12 regular season MLS games, starting in 11. Wanchope notched two goals, including an insurance goal in the 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Aug. 18, and an important game-winning goal against the Columbus Crew on Sept. 8, helping the Fire to a 5-2-5 record in all his appearances for the "Men in Red".
Wanchope began his career with Club Sport Herediano (1994-97), before moving on to England to play with Derby County (1997-1999), West Ham United (1999-00), and Manchester City (2000-04), where he played under Osorio. Wanchope has since seen stints with Malaga CF (2004-05), Al-Gharrafa Sports Club (2005), CS Herediano (2006), Rosario Central (2006), and most recently FC Tokyo (2007). The Costa Rican international is his country's second all-time leading goal scorer and has played in the 2000 and 2002 Gold Cups, as well as the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups.
HOLIDAY PACKS NOW ON SALE
Chicago Fire Holiday Packs are on sale now starting at $89. Each package includes four tickets to the 2008 Fire home opener (date TBA) as well as a hat and glove set to help keep your special Fire fan warm. Fans have the opportunity to purchase more than four tickets per Holiday Pack, and for every two additional tickets ordered, an additional hat & glove set can be purchased for $12. For more information, visit www.chicago-fire.com.
FIRE FRONT OFFICE HIRES FIVE
Chicago Fire Soccer welcomes its latest five additions to the Chicago Fire front office team. New Vice President of Business Operations, Joe Macdonell, comes to the organization after four years with Positive Impact Partners of East Rutherford, N.J., where he last served as Vice President of Sales. The Fire has brought on board Ryan Robbins as the club's newest Director of Sales having previously been with the Cleveland Browns as Manager of Ticket Sales. Elizabeth Tumpach joins the club as Coordinator, Corporate Partnerships from Paragon Consulting Group, Inc. where she last worked as Marketing Manager. The Box Office Coordinator position has been filled by Mark Nacpil, previously an intern with the Chicago Sky. In addition, Lauren Brophy has been hired full-time as Media Relations Manager after previously serving as Media Relations Coordinator.
FIREWORKS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION ACCEPTING HOLIDAY DONATIONS
This holiday season, the Fireworks for Kids Foundation once again turns to the generous Chicago Fire Soccer community for support in raising money for the Annual Holiday Fund. This year, your financial contributions will assist the FireWorks For Kids Foundation in supporting the inspirational wheelchair athletes of the Chicago Fire Power Soccer team. Donations can be sent to the following address:
FireWorks For Kids Foundation - Holiday Fund
c/o Chicago Fire Soccer
7000 S. Harlem
Bridgeview, Ill. 60455
While a contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated, for every contribution of $25.00 or more, the Fire Works For Kids Foundation will send you an autographed action photo of Chicago Fire forward Calen Carr. For more information or to donate, please contact Jessica Yavitz with the FireWorks For Kids Foundation at 708-496-6740.
