Weekly Notes: Fire host Houston

The Chicago Fire (5-1-1, 16 pts.) return from a two-game road stint to host the Houston Dynamo (1-2-4, 7 pts.) on Saturday, May 17, at TOYOTA PARK in Bridgeview, Ill. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:30 p.m. CT. The Fire are coming off a 2-0 road win over D.C. United on Thursday, while Houston picked up their first win of 2008 with a 2-1 home victory against Colorado on Saturday. This Saturday's game will be televised by My50 Chicago and will be on Chicagoland radio stations WNVR 1030-AM (POL) and WRTO 1200-AM (SPA).

Chicago are ahead in all-time regular season series against Houston with a 2-1-1 mark, yet have not beat the Dynamo at home, holding a 0-1-1 record in games played at TOYOTA PARK. The Fire split the 2007 series with the Dynamo, winning 1-0 at Houston on 4/29/07 and falling 4-0 on 7/12/07 at TOYOTA PARK. With a win on Saturday, Chicago can extend their current all-time best start in club history.

CHICAGO FIRE WEEKLY AGENDA

** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6726 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.

BLANCO BLAST UP FOR GOAL OF THE WEEK AWARD

Cuauhtémoc Blanco sealed the Chicago Fire's 2-0 victory over D.C. United on Thursday, finding space beyond the 18-yard box and bending a beautiful ball into the upper right corner for the game's second goal. Blanco's long-ranged effort has been nominated for this week's Sierra Mist Goal of the Week.

BLANCO, BARRETT AND ROLFE AT CUBS - PADRES GAME WEDNESDAY

Fire attacker Cuauhtémoc Blanco will throw the first pitch, while forwards Chad Barrett and Chris Rolfe will sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during Wednesday's Cubs - Padres game at Wrigley Field.

CHICAGO FIRE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY PROGRAM CONTINUES

The Chicago Fire School Assembly program, sponsored by Walgreens, continues this week as defender Bakary Soumare and goalkeeper Tyler Kettering visit Dominguez School, located at 3000 S. Lawndale, in Chicago, this Tuesday, May 13, from 1:30 - 2:15 p.m. CT. On Thursday, May 15, Midfielder Justin Mapp and forward Patrick Nyarko will be at Columbus East Elementary School at 3100 S. 54th Ave. in Cicero, Ill., from 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. CT.

CHICAGO FIRE IN THE COMMUNITY

On Wednesday, May 14, midfielder Brian Plotkin and Fire mascot Sparky will be making a public appearance at Players Indoor Center, at 1740 W. Quincy Rd. in Naperville, Ill., from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. CT. On Saturday, May 17, defender Bakary Soumare and Sparky will be at the 2008 Greater Chicago Epilepsy Walk, beginning at the intersection of LaSalle Drive and Stockton Drive in Lincoln Park, at 10:30 a.m. CT to greet the walkers at the finish line. For more information on the 2008 Greater Chicago Epilepsy Walk, please visit EpilepsyChicago.org.

JERSEY T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY SATURDAY

The first 5,000 fans ages 14 and under to attend Saturday's Fire - Dynamo match will receive a replica jersey T-shirt, courtesy of Best Buy.

TICKETS FOR FIRE - WISLA KRAKOW GAME ON MAY 21 ON SALE

Tickets for the first Chicago Fire international exhibition match of 2008 against Polish Orange Ekstraklasa (First Division) club Wisla Krakow on Wednesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. CT at TOYOTA PARK are still on sale. Tickets for Wednesday's game range from $25 for Supporters Section tickets to $90 for Club Seat tickets. Fire Full Season ticket holders can use their Bonus Game 2 ticket for the Wisla game, while Club and Suite ticket holders can use their Bonus Event 2 ticket. Parking pass holders should use Bonus Game TBD for the Wisla game.

A special two-pack is also available that includes one of the Polish friendlies and a ticket to the August 16 game versus D.C. United, starting at $37. Flex Plan Holders can redeem up to four flex vouchers for either international exhibition in advance, but vouchers will not be accepted on day-of-game. For more information, call 1.888.MLS.FIRE or visit www.chicago-fire.com.

FIRE ACADEMY WIN ONE, LOSE ONE VS. METRO UNITED

The Chicago Fire Academy won one and lost one versus Metro United last Saturday in U.S. Soccer Development Academy league action at the TOYOTA PARK practice field. The Fire U-16 team won 3-0 over Metro United as defender Trent Miller tallied in 25th minute, while midfielder Marco Gutierrez added insurance goals in the 32nd and 45th minutes. Fire U-18 midfielder Ian Christianson put away a penalty kick in the 45th minute against Metro United, but two second half goals handed Chicago a 2-1 loss. The Fire were reduced to 10 men when defender Kyle McCrudden was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in the 37th minute.

CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY WEEKLY AGENDA

** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708-496-6577 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.

FIRE PREMIER START 2008 CAMPAIGN THURSDAY VS. INDIANA INVADERS AT TOYOTA PARK

The Chicago Fire Premier PDL will start their 2008 Premier Development League season this Thursday, May 15, against the Indiana Invaders at the TOYOTA PARK practice field. The game also counts as a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifying match. Kickoff for the game is set for 6:00 p.m. CT, and admission is free to the public.

CRUZ AZUL - MKS CRACOVIA JULY 5 AT TOYOTA PARK

Cruz Azul and MKS Cracovia will be returning to TOYOTA PARK this summer on Saturday, July 5, at 8:00 p.m. CT. Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster beginning Saturday, May 17, at 10:00 a.m. CT. Stage Suite Holders can contact Premium Services at 708-496-6890 to purchase a suite.