FIRE TO FINISH BRADENTON STINT WEDNESDAY
The Chicago Fire, currently 3-0-1 in preseason exhibitions, will play its final game in Bradenton, Fla. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, when the club faces Toronto FC at 9:00 a.m. CT at the IMG Academies facility.
The Chicago Fire outscored Columbus Crew 3-2 on Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the team's third exhibition in Bradenton. Fire forward Chris Rolfe opened scoring in the 14th minute, while forward Tomasz Frankowski added two goals in the 28th and 30th minutes. Crew midfielders Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven scored in the 26th and 50th minutes respectively, but the tallies were not enough to overtake the Fire's lead.
Chicago tied the Kansas City Wizards 1-1 on Saturday, Feb. 16. The Wizards opened scoring with a goal from forward Ryan Pore in the 23rd minute, but the Fire attack leveled the score in the 90th minute off a goal courtesy of rookie midfielder Stephen King.
CHICAGO FIRE PRESEASON RECORD (3-0-1)
Saturday, Feb. 9: 3-1 W - U.S. U-17 Men's National Team
Sunday, Feb. 10: 2-1 W - University of South Florida
Wednesday, Feb. 13: 3-2 W - Columbus Crew
Saturday, Feb. 16: 1-1 T - Kansas City Wizards
FIRE ACADEMY GO UNBEATEN IN WINTER SHOWCASE
The Under-16 Chicago Fire and PA Classics both opened their Academy campaigns on Sunday morning, with the Fire Academy U-16s picking up an early goal from midfielder Bryan Ciesiulka. Ciesiulka's 13th-minute strike would hold up to be the game-winner in the 1-0 result. The U-18 team also fared well against the PA Classics, coming back from a one-goal deficit in the 15th minute to tie the game in the 56th minute courtesy of a penalty kick tally from midfielder Ian Christianson for a 1-1 final score.
In Monday's contests, the Fire Academy took two victories from Seacoast United of Hampton, N.H. In the early game, the U-18 side beat United 3-0 on goals from Christianson (1', PK 85'), and forward Eric Marofske (50'). The Fire Academy U-16 took a 3-2 win over United with goals by Robbie LaRocque (38'), Kyle Spoo (47'), and Bryan Ciesiulka (74').
All the results from the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase, including exclusive photos and video content, can be found at www.ussoccer.com. The Fire Academy return to league action this weekend, traveling to Georgia to face on AFC Lightning on Saturday, Feb. 23 and Concorde Fire on Sunday, Feb. 24.
Sunday's Fire Academy Rosters:
Fire Academy U-16 vs. PA Classics
CHI: 7-Jorge Flores, 9-Kyle Spoo, 13-Charles Lyon, 21-Brian Heimerdinger, 23-Nikhil Patel, 27-Bryan Ciesiulka, 30-Trent Miller, 31-Marco Gutierrez, 32-Emanuel Guzman, 35-John Jordan, 38-Luis Medina
Reserves: 17-Logan Spidle, 19-Chris Prince, 25-Felipe Cortez, 47-Trevor Wheeler
Fire Academy U-18 vs. PA Classics
CHI: 1-Kit Carson, 3-Seth Stockley, 5-Bart Boguszewski, 9-Andy Huftlain, 11-Keith Mach, 12-Jarret Kerr, 16-Tim Linden, 17-Cody Culver, 19-Eric Marofske, 23-Jordan Stanley, 26-Ian Christianson
Reserves: 4-Mark Roos, 7-Al Palar, 32-Aaron Brynteson
Monday's Fire Academy Rosters:
Fire Academy U-18 vs. Seacoast United
CHI 1-Kit Carson, 2-Austin Andrekus, 5-Bart Boguszewski, 6-Aaron Brynteson, 9-Andy Huftlain, 10-Jarret Kerr, 14-Keith Mach, 16-Al Palar, 17-Mark Roos, 26-Ian Christianson, 39-Kyle McCrudden
Reserves: 15-Eric Marofske
Fire Academy U-16 vs. Seacoast United
CHI 12-Nick Huftlain, 28-Josh Clark, 29-Felipe Cortez, 30-Jorge Flores, 36-Robbie Laroque, 37-John Jordan, 41-Trent Miller, 42-Nikhil Patel, 44-Chris Prince, 47-Trevor Wheeler, 48-Logan Spidle
Reserves: 13-Charles Lyon, 27-Bryan Ciesiulka, 31-Marco Gutierrez, 32-Emanuel Guzman, 33-Brian Heimerdinger, 40-Luis Medina, 46-Kyle Spoo
CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY WEEKLY AGENDA
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708-496-6577 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Monday, Feb. 18:
Academy U-16/U-18 vs. Seacoast United, Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas
Tuesday, Feb. 19:
Training at Village of Bridgeview Sports Dome, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 20:
OFF
Thursday, Feb. 21:
Training at DeKalb Sports & Rec. Center Field House, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 22:
Depart for Georgia for U.S. Development Academy league play
Saturday, Feb. 23:
Fire Academy vs. AFC Lightning, McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Ga. (U-16: 3:00 p.m., U-18: 5:00 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 24:
Fire Academy vs. Concorde Fire, Georgia Soccer Park in East Point, Ga. (U-16: 10:00 a.m., U-18: 12:00 p.m.)
HERRON RE-SIGNS WITH FIRE
The Chicago Fire announced Thursday, Feb. 14 that the club has signed forward Andy Herron to the team's 28-man roster. Herron, 29, comes to Chicago after the club received the domestic rights to the striker from Columbus Crew on Jan. 21, 2008 in exchange for the Fire's 2010 MLS SuperDraft fourth round pick. Per league policy, terms of his contract were not disclosed.
TOYOTA PARK TO HOST NCAA MEN'S LACROSSE ON APRIL 5
The lacrosse teams of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Denver will play at TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, April 5, at 3:00 p.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased through the TOYOTA PARK ticket office by calling 708.594.7700 or through any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets to the lacrosse game are free for TOYOTA PARK Suite Holders, Club Seat Holders have right-of-first refusal to retain seats for the event, and a special Notre Dame Alumni discount is available upon proof of identification. TOYOTA PARK parking lots open at Gate C at 12:00 p.m. CT, with doors opening at 1:00 p.m. CT. Parking prices start at $10 in the general lot, $15 in the preferred lot, and $30 for buses paid day-of-event. Fans looking to purchase an individual suite for this event can contact Scott Zissman at 708.496.6802. The TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club will be closed for this event. For more information, please visit www.toyotapark.com.
