CHICAGO - Just two days prior to its "golden birthday" and fresh off an electrifying, come-from-behind performance at Soldier Field that secured its spot in the postseason, the Chicago Fire announced its 2005 playoff campaign, RED ALERT. Last night's 2-2 draw with the MetroStars, backed by the late-game heroics of captain Chris Armas and rookie defender Jack Stewart, provided an exciting start to the Fire's final month at its original home before it enters a new era in Bridgeview in 2006. The result also produced the lone point the "Men in Red" needed to earn a playoff berth for the seventh time in the team's eight-year history.
The Fire will officially bid farewell to Soldier Field during its regular season home finale this Saturday, Oct. 8 - when the Fire turns eight years old - against the Columbus Crew (7:30 p.m. CT, FSC).
"With the playoffs looming and the beginning of the public on-sale for Bridgeview stadium tickets, this is a very special time for Chicago Fire fans," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy. "The RED ALERT campaign is designed to bring attention to these happenings and remind soccer fans throughout Chicago that now is the time to show support for the Fire."
Tickets to the Fire's Eastern Conference Semifinals and Finals are now available. Pricing for any seat at Soldier Field during the 2005 MLS Cup Playoffs will be $25. Group prices for 10 or more seats are available for $20. The Fire has also introduced its Special RED ALERT Playoff 4-Pack, which includes four playoff tickets and four RED ALERT playoff T-shirts for a cost of $96. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
Additionally, Executive Suites are available for only $1,000, with the pricing including 20 tickets and four parking passes. For information on the Fire's Executive Suites at Soldier Field, please call Michael Colletti at 312-705-7239. For additional information, please call the Fire offices at 1-888-MLS-FIRE or visit the club's official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.
The Fire will kick-off its public on-sale for Bridgeview Stadium on Monday, Oct. 17 beginning at 10:00 a.m. CT. The event will offer fans the opportunity to pick out their seats for the club's inaugural season at the new, world-class facility, located on the corner of 71st Street and Harlem in Bridgeview. For more information on the public on-sale, please all 1-888-MLS-FIRE. To view the stadium's seating chart, please visit the Ticket/Bridgeview seating chart section at www.Chicago-Fire.com.
The Fire played its first four seasons (1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001) at Soldier Field, garnering the 1998 and 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championships at the historic landmark. There, the "Men in Red" posted a remarkable 45-13-4 record (.758) - then the best home-winning percentage in MLS history - during the team's first four seasons at the original building. After spending almost two full seasons at Naperville's Cardinal Stadium, the Fire returned to its original home in October 2003, at the New Soldier Field. The Fire's record at the renovated stadium during the 2003-2005 seasons stands at 17-9-6.
