The Chicago Fire (4-7-4 16 pts.) will take on the Western Conference-leading Houston Dynamo (9-5-2 29 pts.) at TOYOTA PARK in the second of two regular season meetings this Thursday (8:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2). The Fire are coming off a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC last Saturday, finishing a week that saw the "Men in Red" play three games to a 0-1-2 mark. Houston have been on a tear since the beginning of June, winning seven of their last eight games, the latest a 1-0 win at home over D.C. United on Sunday. Saturday's Fire-Dynamo game will be broadcast live from 71st and Harlem nationally on ESPN2 and over the airwaves on Chicagoland radio station WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish).
Osorio Takes Over as Head Coach
Juan Carlos Osorio was officially introduced as the new head coach for the Chicago Fire at a news conference held Monday morning. President/CEO John Guppy announced that Osorio has signed a multi-year deal to coach the club. Specific terms of the contract were not disclosed due to Major League Soccer policy. Osorio takes over for interim head coach Denis Hamlett, who guided the Fire to a 1-1-2 overall record (0-1-2 MLS mark) after Dave Sarachan was let go on June 20. Osorio will make his MLS coaching debut this Thursday when the Fire plays host to the Houston Dynamo on ESPN2 Primetime Thursday at TOYOTA PARK.
"Juan Carlos is a respected manager with outstanding soccer credentials," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "He is a sound tactician, a decisive decision maker and an excellent communicator. With Juan Carlos, we are bringing in someone who will address every aspect of training and get the most out of our players. We are excited about a new era of Fire soccer with Juan Carlos' hiring."
For archived video of Osorio's press conference and more information on the Fire's latest head coach, visit www.chicago-fire.com.
Juan Carlos Osorio - The Coach
Juan Carlos Osorio, 46, was most recently manager for Club Deportivo Los Millonarios, the most successful franchise in the Fútbol Profesional Colombiano (Copa Mustang). In 2007, Osorio led the Bogotá-based club to a 11-6-7 record during the Finalización (closing) season and a fourth-place finish out of 18 teams in the Mustang Cup. Millonarios also qualified for the 2006 Copa Sudamericana, one of the top club competitions in South America. Prior to joining Millonarios, Osorio spent five years (2001-06) with Manchester City F.C. of the English Premier League, starting as the conditioning coach before being promoted to assistant manager. The Fire's new coach is no stranger to MLS, spending two seasons (2000-01) as assistant coach/conditioning coach for the MetroStars. Working under head coach Octavio Zambrano, Osorio helped the MetroStars capture the 2000 Eastern Conference title and qualify for back-to-back MLS Cup Playoffs. A native of Santa Rosa del Cabal, Colombia, Osorio holds an English Football Association "A" coaching license and a coaching certificate from the Royal Netherlands Football Association. He earned a B.A. in exercise science from Southern Connecticut State University in 1990 and holds a diploma in science and football from John Moores University in Liverpool, England.
Juan Carlos Osorio - The Player
Osorio's playing career included stints with the New York Fever (1996-97), New York Centaurs (1995-96) and Brooklyn Italians (1994-95). He also played for the Staten Island Vipers of the then-A-League (now USL First Divison), which was the highest level of U.S. professional soccer prior to the formation of MLS in 1996. In addition, Osorio's playing career included stints with Deportivo Periera (1982-84) of the Colombian First Division and Second Division Risaralda FC (1984). In 1982, he saw time with the Colombian Under-20 squad. Osorio began his coaching career as assistant coach/conditioning coach at Staten Island (1998-99).
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round on Horizon
Nine-time participant and current 2006 defending champion Chicago Fire join the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Sunday, July 15, when they travel to Cary, N.C. to face the Carolina RailHawks (USL First Division) at 6:30 p.m. CT for the first time in Open Cup play. The Fire have lifted the Dewar Trophy four times, the latest with a 3-1 Open Cup Final win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on September 27, 2006. Fans can catch LIVE video of the Fire - RailHawks match-up, free-of-charge, by visiting www.usllive.com.
Open Cup Possible Quarterfinal Pairings Announced
U.S. Soccer has announced the quarterfinal (fourth) round possible pairings for the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with the Chicago Fire in line to play either the Richmond Kickers (USL) or Los Angeles Galaxy should they defeat the Carolina RailHawks on July 15. The fourth round of the historic tournament will take place on August 7, and should the Fire win over Carolina, they will face either Richmond or Los Angeles at TOYOTA PARK at 7:30 CT. The original field of 40 participating teams will have been whittled down to eight after the conclusion of the third round, set to take place July 9-18. The tournament initially kicked off on June 12, with 32 teams from the United Soccer Leagues First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League and United States Adult Soccer Association ranks. Teams from Major League Soccer join the fray in the third round. The final match of the Open Cup will be played on Tuesday, October 2.
Armas Enters 200 Club
With a full 90 minutes of action in last Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Los Angeles, Fire midfielder and captain Chris Armas marked his 200th regular season game played for the "Men in Red". Armas' 200 appearances for Chicago ties the third-place record held by former midfielder Jesse Marsch. After stepping onto the TOYOTA PARK pitch for 90 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Toronto FC, Armas claimed sole possession of third place all-time on the Fire career games played list with 201. With 199 career games started for the Fire, Armas is also one game away from hitting the 200 games started plateau for Chicago, just 13 games away from tying the second place all-time mark set by former goalkeeper Zach Thornton with 212.
"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly" Radio Show - Chad Barrett
"Chicago Fire Soccer 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, July 10, at 6:00 p.m. CT, and each week throughout the rest of the Fire's 2007 MLS campaign. Host Kevin Kellam and guest-host Terry Bonadonna will talk with Fire forward Chad Barrett, who scored game-tying goal in last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Toronto FC at TOYOTA PARK. United. Fans are encouraged to call in at 708.429.0463 to talk about all things Fire-related - live over the airwaves and the internet, with podcasts available through Chicago Fire or WXAV subscriptions on iTunes. For more information visit www.wxav.com or www.chicago-fire.com.
Blanco Watch - Continuing Copa America
Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the Chicago Fire's Designated Player signing, played 10 minutes for the Mexican National Team squad Sunday night in the Copa America, advancing on to the semifinals and a date with Argentina this Wednesday after handing Paraguay a heavy 6-0 defeat. Blanco started and played a full 90 minutes up top for Mexico as they drew with Chile last Wednesday night in a 0-0 stalemate, and as a result took first place in Group B standings with seven points. Blanco also logged twelve minutes in the 2-1 "Tricolor" victory over Ecuador on Sunday, July 1, substituting for Nery Castillo in the 78th minute. Blanco came off the bench in the 74th minute to relieve Israel Castro in a convincing 2-0 win over world power Brazil on June 27. The 34-year-old attacker has been with the Mexican National Team after closing out his career with Mexican First Division side, Club América. Overall, the native of Mexico City, Mexico tallied seven goals and six assists through 1,530 minutes of action for the "Aguilas" through the 2007 Clausura regular season.
Mapp Finishes U.S. "Tour of Duty" in Venezuela
Fire midfielder Justin Mapp wrapped up his Copa America experience with the United States Men's National Team last Thursday night, starting and playing 65 minutes in a 0-1 loss to Colombia in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Mapp came off the bench in the 71st minute to relieve midfielder Ben Olsen against Paraguay in a 3-1 loss on July 2 in the U.S. squad's second game of Copa America, nearly scoring with a chip that hit off the frame in the 75th minute of play. Mapp started and played the full 90 minutes for the U.S. in a 4-1 loss versus Argentina on June 28 in their first Group C match-up in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Mapp has been with U.S. team since training camp began for the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, accepting the call to play for the U.S. on June 9 by registering an assist on Brian Ching's 29th minute goal in a 2-0 win in group play against Trinidad & Tobago. The 22-year-old has made six overall appearances with the senior national team, dating back to his first ever appearance for the U.S. against Panama on Oct. 12, 2005.
Fire Forward Breakdown:
Barrett, Chad - 4G/1A - 1,191 minutes - 15 games/14 starts (Scored game-tying goal in 1-1 draw vs. TOR on July 7)
Carr, Calen -1G/0A - 715 minutes - 13 games/7 starts (Last scored in 2-1 loss vs. DAL on May 17)
Monteiro, Jerson - 1G/0A - 154 minutes - 5 games/1 starts (First MLS start against COL on July 1)
Rolfe, Chris - 4G/3A - 495 minutes - 6 games/6 starts (Has missed last nine MLS games due to ankle injury)
Bob Bradley Inducted into "Ring of Fire" on Aug. 4
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that former Fire head coach Bob Bradley will be inducted into the prestigious "Ring of Fire" Hall of Fame on Aug. 4, at TOYOTA PARK in a pre-game ceremony before the "Men in Red" take on Eastern Conference foe Columbus Crew (6:00 p.m. CT, HDNet). Bradley, who is currently serving as the U.S. Men's National Team head coach, and fellow inductees Peter Wilt, Peter Nowak, and Frank Klopas will be in attendance for a 90-minute pre-game reception on the TOYOTA PARK rooftop to celebrate the induction. Tickets for the reception are available through The FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK).
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.
