CHICAGO - In an effort to help lead an extraordinary lineup of soccer events being held this year in Chicago and around the world, the Chicago Fire today declared 2006 "The Year of Soccer" and unveiled the club's brand new adidas uniforms at a kick-off party held at Lux Bar downtown.
"With so many exciting developments taking place in our sport this year, we thought it was only appropriate to lay claim to the year 2006," said Chicago Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "With the staging of major events, celebration of anniversaries, and the opening of a soccer-specific stadium, soccer will touch more people in Chicago in 2006 than in any previous year. As Chicago's professional team, the Fire will play a critical role in showcasing all these developments, and we certainly hope to end this special year by adding the 2006 MLS Cup to the trophy case in November."
Topping the list of 2006 happenings is the opening of the world-class soccer-specific stadium in Bridgeview and this summer's FIFA World Cup in Germany. Scheduled to open in June, the 20,000-seat Bridgeview Stadium - only the fourth soccer-specific venue in the U.S. - will become the epicenter of the Chicago soccer community. The $95 million venue will host an array of events during its inaugural season, including a full schedule of Fire MLS games, international exhibition matches and special events, the fourth annual edition of the "Ring of Fire" Induction Ceremony, the 90th Year Anniversary Banquet of the Illinois State Soccer Association, as well as festivities to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Chicago Sting's NASL championship. To help celebrate the world's biggest sporting spectacle, the FIFA World Cup, the Fire will host viewing parties at Bridgeview Stadium throughout the tournament, held this year from June 9 to July 9 in Germany. Details on all these activities, as well as others, will be announced over the coming weeks.
Several significant announcements have already occurred during the month of January, setting the stage for an extraordinarily busy 2006 season. These developments included the Fire's signing of 10-year MLS veteran and former Fire favorite Diego Gutierrez from Kansas City; the acquisition of 10 promising young players through the MLS SuperDraft and Supplemental Draft; a first U.S. Men's National Team appearance for Fire forward Nate Jaqua (against Norway); a pre-World Cup match at Soldier Field for the Mexican National Team; and the unveiling of the Fire's new adidas uniforms.
The Mexican National Team will make a stop in the Windy City prior to its departure to Germany for the World Cup. The Tri-colores will play in a friendly match against fellow World Cup finalist Paraguay on Wednesday, Mar. 29 at Soldier Field (time TBD). Mexico's visit to Chicago is part of the third consecutive edition of the Coca-Cola presents Real Mexican Soccer Tour. Last year Mexico faced Poland in a friendly that brought 54,427 fans to Soldier Field as part of an MLS-international soccer doubleheader, with the Fire taking on the New England Revolution in the other game.
As a result of the 10-year partnership between adidas and MLS, 2006 will be the first year that the Germany-based supplier will sponsor the official team apparel and uniforms for all 12 MLS clubs, as well as the League's official match ball. The new adidas match ball, +Teamgeist MLS, features the same technology and unique panel shape design as the +Teamgeist, official match ball for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. MLS will be the first professional soccer league in the world to use the new +Teamgeist ball.
About the Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and was crowned the champion of U.S. Soccer's national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000 and 2003. In June 2006, the Fire will move into its permanent, world-class home in Bridgeview, IL. Located 12 miles southwest of downtown Chicago and easily accessible via the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) and the Tri-State (I-294), Bridgeview Stadium is a 20,000+ capacity multipurpose sports and entertainment venue which will feature an array of live entertainment events including concerts, international soccer matches, a variety of sports competitions and other special events.
