The Chicago Fire (3-3-1 10 pts.) head to the "Big Apple" to face the upstart New York Red Bulls (4-1-2 14 pts.) at Giants Stadium (6:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2) for the first of three 2007 regular season meetings between the two clubs. The Fire are looking to snap a three-game losing streak after falling 2-1 to FC Dallas last Thursday at TOYOTA PARK. New York has found a competitive form early this season, as was evidenced by a 4-0 dismantling of the Columbus Crew last Saturday. The Fire currently stand fourth in the Eastern Conference with 10 points, just seven points behind conference-leaders New England, while New York sits in second in the East. The broadcast from the Meadowlands will be televised live nationally via ESPN2, as well as Chicagoland radio station WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish).
Chicago Fire/AthletiCo "Recovery Room" :: May 21
Gutierrez, Diego - L knee contusion, lumbar spine sprain - PROBABLE
Robinson, Dasan - L groin strain - QUESTIONABLE
Rolfe, Chris - L ankle sprain - QUESTIONABLE
Telesford, Osei - L adductor strain - OUT
New York to Date
First year New York Red Bulls boss Bruce Arena has led a resurgent Red Bulls franchise that began its 2007 campaign with a sparkling 3-0-1 record in April, a span of time that saw the side not let in a single goal. For the month of May, the Red Bulls tied Salt Lake 3-3 (5/5), lost 1-0 to the Colorado Rapids (5/13) and won in convincing fashion over the Columbus Crew 4-0 last Saturday at Giants Stadium. With a goal and two assists in win over Columbus, newly-acquired forward Juan Pablo Angel was awarded the Player of the Week award for Week 7. The victory over the Crew also saw New York slide up to a second-place spot in the Eastern Conference, a point ahead of the Kansas City Wizards who currently stand on 13 points.
"Chicago Fire Weekly" Radio Show - Calen Carr
"Chicago Fire Weekly", a half-hour weekly soccer talk show, will air its next broadcast via WXAV 88.3 FM from the campus of Saint Xavier University (SXU) this Tuesday, May 22nd at 6:00 p.m. CT, and each week throughout the rest of the Fire's 2007 MLS campaign. The show's host, Angelo Bonadonna and guest co-host Kevin Kellam will talk with Fire forward Calen Carr about his first start and goal of 2007 and preview the upcoming Fire games on Thursday at New York and Sunday versus Real Salt Lake. Fans are encouraged to call in at 708.429.0463 to talk all things Fire-related - all live over the airwaves and the internet, with podcasts available through the Chicago Fire or WXAV subscriptions on iTunes. For more information visit www.wxav.com or www.chicago-fire.com.
"Fire Confidential" Returns
The much-anticipated second installment of "Fire Confidential" aired this Monday, May 21, on www.chicago-fire.com. The latest episode includes a look back at the arrival of Cuauhtémoc Blanco to TOYOTA PARK on April 2, a glimpse of the future with the Fire Juniors U13's trip to Mississippi, a media roundtable with Daily Southtown Fire beat reporter Nick Firchau, and World Champion ice skater Evan Lysacek hanging out with fellow Naperville-native and Fire midfielder Brian Plotkin. Stay tuned as Fire Confidential continues to improve giving fans of the "Men in Red" fans an all-access look at all things Fire-related.
Gutierrez Set to Return
Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez has served a one-game suspension and has honored a $250 fine issued by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for his 45th minute red card ejection at Toronto on May 12 and will be available for the "Men in Red" this Thursday at New York (6:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2). Noted for his grit in the midfield, Gutierrez has picked 51 cautions in 239 games played for his MLS career, tied for sixth all-time with Real Salt Lake midfielder Carey Talley. The Lee's Summit, Mo. native had started each of the previous six 2007 Fire contests before missing last Thursday's test against FC Dallas.
One Start, One Goal for Carr
Making his first starting appearance in an MLS regular season match since 08/30/06, Fire forward Calen Carr notched Chicago's only goal in the club's 2-1 loss to FC Dallas last Thursday. The Berkeley, Calif. native has already equaled his 2006 regular season output of one goal, scored during the Public Safety Opening of TOYOTA PARK on 06/11/06 in a wild 3-3 draw versus New England.
Fire Reserves Draw 0-0 with DePaul Blue Demons
The Chicago Fire took to the TOYOTA PARK training field on Friday afternoon with a roster heavily-based with Fire Reserves players for a scoreless draw against the DePaul University Blue Demons. Adding some spice to the match was a "Plotty" match-up as Chicago midfielder Brian Plotkin played against his younger brother Mark Plotkin, a freshman defender for the Blue Demons.
Familiar Faces
The Fire will see some familiar faces across the field on Thursday, as two players on the current Red Bulls side have logged time with the "Men in Red." Red Bulls midfielder Dema Kovalenko was a fan favorite in Chicago during his four-year tenure from 1999-2002, and the fiery Ukrainian is still ranked in the Fire's career top 10 in goals scored, with 22. The Red Bulls also feature a two-time Fire alum, forward John Wolyniec, who suited up in 21 regular season contests for Chicago from 2000-2002.
Around the Town
Chicago Fire fans can catch their favorite members of the "Men in Red" as they make public appearances throughout Chicagoland this week. Fire defender Jordan Russolillo and midfielder Floyd Franks will attend the Libertyville Soccer Tournament in Libertyville, Ill. on Friday, May 25, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. CT, while Sparky will be on hand the following day from 4:00-6:00 p.m. CT. Sparky will also be appearing on Saturday, May 26, at the Campton Hills Soccer Complex in St. Charles, Ill. from from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. CT, while Fire midfielder Brian Plotkin will be at the complex from 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT.
FireWorks For Kids 2007 Golf Retreat Set for July 19-21
Join other loyal Fire fans for the all-inclusive FireWorks For Kids Foundation (FWFK) 2007 Golf Retreat at the spectacular Eagles Nest Ranch in Denver, Colorado this July 19-21. The ninth annual FWFK trip includes airfare, transportation, meals, accommodations for two nights, a new set of golf clubs, a ticket to the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star game at the new Dick's Sporting Goods Park, fishing, hiking, golfing and more. All proceeds from the annual Golf Retreat benefit the FireWorks For Kids Foundation. For more information or to request an invitation to attend the 2007 Golf Retreat, please contact the Foundation office at 708-496-6740 or e-mail at jyavitz@chicago-fire.com.
TV Broadcast Change for Sunday's Chicago - Salt Lake Match
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that the Comcast SportsNet television time for the Fire's May 27 game versus Real Salt Lake has been changed in order to avoid a potential "live in progress" situation, and is scheduled for a tape-delayed, 7:00 p.m. CT start. Fans wanting to catch the game as it is played can still follow the game live on TeleFutura at 4:00 p.m. CT.
Fire Premier to Play in May
Coming off a 1-1 tie on May 16 against the Indiana Invaders and a 2-0 win over the Fort Wayne Fever last Sunday, the Fire Premier (1-0-1 4 pts.) of the Premier Development League (PDL) currently sit second in the Great Lakes Division behind the Michigan Bucks (2-0-0 6 pts.). The Premier will be practicing in Burr Ridge near 74th and Wolf Road in preparation for upcoming matches throughout the end of May. The Fire Premier will take a three-game road trip starting on Wednesday, May 23 at the West Michigan Edge (6:00 p.m. CT), before traveling to Toronto on Friday, May 25 to play the Toronto Lynx (10:00 a.m. CT) and back to Michigan on Saturday, May 26 to face the Michigan Bucks (6:00 p.m. CT). For more information on the Chicago Fire Premier, visit www.chicagofirepremier.com.
Fire Super-20s Start on Sunday
The Chicago Fire Super-20 squad will practice at the two soccer fields in Burr Ridge near 74th and Wolf Road in preparation for its first official match in TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, May 27 following the Chicago Fire first team match against Real Salt Lake (4:00 p.m. CT, TeleFutura). The Super-20s then travel to Grand Rapids, Mich. on Thursday, May 31 to play the West Michigan Edge (5:00 p.m. CT). For more information about the Fire Super-20 youth team, please visit www.chicagofirepremier.com.
Blanco Watch
Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the Chicago Fire's Designated Player signing, is cruising with Mexican First Division side Club América as it plays through its playoff stretch of the 2007 Clausura campaign. América took 1-0 semifinal wins over Chivas de Guadalajara on May 17 and May 20, with Blanco playing the full 90 minutes of each match. In the first of a home-and-home series on May 10, the "Aguilas" tied 3-3 at Atlas' Estadio Jalisco. Blanco notched two goals and an assist in the return leg on May 13 at Estadio Azteca, helping his club hand Atlas a heavy 4-1 defeat for a 7-4 aggregate victory. Overall, the native of Mexico City, Mexico has tallied 7 goals and 6 assists through 1,530 minutes of action for the 2007 Clausura season. Blanco will become an official member of the "Men in Red" on July 1 and will be eligible to play that day in Chicago's match-up with the Colorado Rapids at TOYOTA PARK (6:00 p.m. CT, Comcast SportsNet).
Join the Fire's Fight Against Malaria
Join Chicago Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez in the battle against malaria. Major League Soccer joined the effort against malaria through its community outreach initiative - MLS W.O.R.K.S. - collaborating with the Nothing But Nets and Malaria No More campaigns. For more information on malaria awareness and how to donate, log on to www.NothingButNets.net or www.malariaNOMORE.org.
Quick Kicks vs. New York
• The Fire's all-time record in MLS play against the New York franchise is 15-8-5, which includes a 7-5-2 mark at Giants Stadium.
• The last time Chicago won an MLS regular season game on a Thursday was 8/5/99 in a 2-1 win at Kansas City.
• Not one player on the Fire's current roster has ever suited up for the New York franchise.
• Fire midfielder Chris Armas is the all-time regular season series leader in fouls committed against New York with 33.
• Thursday's broadcast is the second of four total Fire games on ESPN2 during the regular season. Chicago will also be featured on "the deuce" on July 12 (vs. Houston Dynamo) and September 20 (@ FC Dallas).
• Out of the 33 goals New York has scored against the Fire all-time, 12 have come have come in the final 15 minutes of play, accounting for just over 33%.
• Chicago is 3-0-0 this season when scoring the game's first goal, 2-0-0 when leading at halftime.
• Forward Calen Carr (Dissent) and defender Dasan Robinson (Lack of Respect for the Game) have been fined $100 by the MLS Disciplinary Committee following last Thursday's 2-1 loss to FC Dallas.
• Caution Watch - Chad Barrett (2c), C.J. Brown (1c), Calen Carr (3c), Diego Gutierrez (2c, 1e), Jim Curtin (2c), Dasan Robinson (1c), Gonzalo Segares (2c), Thiago (1c).
