The Chicago Fire (4-6-3 15 pts.) travel west to face the Los Angeles Galaxy (2-5-3 9 pts.) at The Home Depot Center, in Carson, Calif., in what will be a rematch of last year's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final (9:30 p.m. CT, Comcast SportsNet). The Fire are fresh off a 0-0 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, while the Galaxy are looking to get back on track after falling at home to the Columbus Crew in their last regular season contest on June 23. Saturday's game will be broadcast locally on Comcast SportsNet and over the airwaves on Chicagoland radio station WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish).
Fire History vs. Galaxy
This Wednesday will mark the first time the Fire and Galaxy have met since their Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final match-up on September 27, 2006, a 3-1 victory at TOYOTA PARK that marked the Chicago club's MLS-record fourth title. With a 2-1 victory over the Galaxy on September 23, 2006 at TOYOTA PARK, the Chicago Fire took last year's regular season series by a 1-0-1 margin. The result also set up a rubber match for the Open Cup Final, which saw the Fire gain a slight 16-15-4 advantage between the two sides across all major competitions (MLS regular season, MLS Cup Playoffs and U.S. Open Cup). The Fire look to improve upon a 4-6-3 record in regular season games contested at Los Angeles, and the "Men in Red" have played six times on a July 4th date, more so than any other day throughout the club's history.
Fire Unbeaten in Coaching Debuts
With a 0-0 draw against the Rapids on Sunday with interim head coach Denis Hamlett's at the helm, the Chicago Fire are now 1-0-2 in MLS head coaching debuts. The "Men in Red" won their first-ever MLS first team contest, beating Miami 2-0 on the road on March 21, 1998 in Head Coach Bob Bradley's debut. Chicago tied the New England Revolution 1-1 on April 13, 2003, for then-Head Coach Dave Sarachan's first game in charge.
Three Games Makes One Week
The Fire face three opponents in just seven days this week, beginning with their 0-0 draw against the Colorado Rapids at TOYOTA PARK last Sunday. The "Men In Red" then travel to Los Angeles to challenge the Galaxy on Independence Day (9:30 p.m. CT, Comcast SportsNet). The Fire will wrap up the first week of July at TOYOTA PARK when they kickoff against expansion side Toronto FC this Saturday (7:30 p.m. CT, Fox Soccer Channel). The Galaxy were a part of the last time the Fire played three games in one week during the 2006 campaign, as the Chicago side defeated Los Angeles 2-1 at home on Saturday, September 23. Chicago turned right around and won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup four days later with a 3-1 victory over the Galaxy on Wednesday, September 27, before wrapping up the week at New York in a 1-0 loss on Saturday, September 30.
When asked about the amount of games in one week, Fire assistant coach Daryl Shore said youth will play a major role.
"We've got to have some of the young guys step up. They're going to be asked to play important roles," said Shore. "We believe we have a pretty deep roster and we're going to call on everybody. You'll see some changes from Sunday's game against Colorado going into the L.A. game. We'll make a few changes to the lineup and bring some fresh guys in and the same thing going into Saturday against Toronto you'll probably see some new faces."
Gonzalo's Good Behavior
Fire defender Gonzalo Segares has seen his four total cautions now reduced by one, as part of the MLS "Good Behavior Incentive" for playing three-straight games without a bookable offense. With an infraction-free game on Sunday versus the Rapids, Segares now sits with three cautions for the 2007 campaign. A player may only benefit from the Good Behavior Incentive once per season.
Blanco Watch - Copa America
Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the Chicago Fire's Designated Player signing, is currently with the Mexican National Team squad as they look to advance through Group B play in the 2007 Copa America. Mexico takes on Chile to wrap up group play on Wednesday, July 4 at 5:30 p.m. CT (GolTV & Univision) as they stand atop the Group B standings with six points. Blanco logged twelve minutes in the 2-1 "El 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 Wednesday. Blanco made a late appearance in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, coming on in the 78th minute in a 2-1 loss to the Americans in front of a sell-out crowd of 60,000. In Thursday's semifinal clash, Blanco started and played 85 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Guadeloupe to advance to the final. Blanco returned from a one-game suspension on June 17, coming off the bench in the 76th minute of Mexico's 1-0 quarterfinal win over Costa Rica. 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" in the 2007 Clausura regular season. Blanco will become an official member of the "Men in Red" on July 1.
Mapp Continues U.S. "Tour of Duty" in Venezuela
Fire midfielder Justin Mapp started and played the full 90 minutes for the U.S. Men's National Team in a 4-1 loss versus Argentina Thursday night in their first Copa America Group C match-up in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Mapp and teammates challenge Paraguay on Monday, July 2 at 5:30 p.m. CT (GolTV & Univision) in their second game of group play. Mapp has been with U.S. team throughout 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 helper marked the Brandon, Mississippi native's second international assist with the "Red, White, and Blue". Mapp began the 2007 campaign training with the U.S. squad and registered the game-winning assist in a 2-0 win against Denmark on Jan. 20. The 22-year-old has made five 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 - 3G/1A - 1029 minutes - 13 games/12 starts (Scored game-winner in 3-2 win vs. CLB on June 3)
Carr, Calen -1G/0A - 555 minutes - 11 games/5 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 seven MLS games due to ankle injury)
Bruno Menezes Signs
Chicago Fire Soccer announced last Friday the signing of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Marques Menezes, acquired from São Carlos FC of the Compeonato Paulista Série A3 in Brazil. Per Major League Soccer policy, terms of the contract were not released. The Fire used one of its five remaining Discovery player slots to bring in Menezes. The 23-year-old Brazilian will be classified as a Youth International alongside Fire defender Osei Telesford of Trinidad and Tobago and fellow Brazilian Willian Oliveira. With the signing, the Fire has filled all three of their Youth International roster spots. Menezes (pronounced me-NEZ-ez) will be available for selection on Sunday, July 1, for the Fire's match against the Colorado Rapids.
Bob Bradley Inducted into "Ring of Fire" on Aug. 4
Chicago Fire Soccer announced last Wednesday 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).
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.
Chicago Fire Commemorative Bricks Still Available
Reserve your place in TOYOTA PARK and Chicago Fire history by placing your order for a commemorative brick from the FireWorks for Kids Foundation. Memorial bricks still remain for those who missed the opportunity to purchase last year. Engraved bricks are available in two sizes, with donations starting at $150.00. The bricks will be prominently displayed just under the signature archway near the main entrance of TOYOTA PARK. For more information, visit http://web.mlsnet.com/t100/community/memorial_bricks/.
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. Galaxy
• Chicago's active roster leaders against Los Angeles are: Games Played - C.J. Brown (18); Games Started - C.J. Brown (18); Goals - Chris Rolfes (2); Assists - Justin Mapp (3).
• The Fire lead the all-time regular season series with Los Angeles in goals (33), shots (339), and shots on goal (153).
• Rookie defender Bakary Soumare is ineligible to play in Wednesday's game in Los Angeles as he serves a one-game suspension for his red card ejection in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Colorado.
• Midfielder Chris Armas' 199 games played is one game away from tying former midfielder Jesse Marsch (200) for third place all-time with the Fire.
• The two highest road attendances in Chicago Fire history both occurred on July 4, with the "Men in Red" most recently falling 3-2 to the Rapids in front of 61,202 fans on July 4, 2002 and also dropping a 2-1 decision to the Rapids on July 4, 2000 with 53,126 in attendance.
• Defender Gonzalo Segares has seen his four total cautions now reduced by one, as part of the MLS "Good Behavior Incentive" for playing three-straight without a bookable offense. With an infraction-free game on Sunday versus the Rapids, Segares now sits with three cautions for the 2007 campaign. A player may only benefit from the Good Behavior Incentive once per season.
