FIRE ENJOY A BYE WEEK AND GEAR UP FOR NEW ENGLAND NEXT WEEKEND
The Chicago Fire will enjoy a bye week this weekend as the race for the five remaining playoff spots continues around the league. The team has just two regular season contests remaining in their MLS schedule, an away contest against the New England Revolution next Saturday, Oct. 17 (5 p.m. CT, FSC/FSE) and a home contest to close out the season on Oct. 22 against Chivas USA at TOYOTA PARK. The team will have to wait until next weekend, at the earliest, to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
• If the Fire WIN next Saturday, Oct. 17 against New England, the team will clinch a playoff spot.
• If the Fire TIE New England, Chicago can clinch a playoff spot on Saturday, Oct 17 if ALL of the following teams post a loss or a tie in their next match ups:
Toronto FC against San Jose, Oct. 10 or against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 17
• D.C. United against Columbus on Oct. 17
• Real Salt Lake against New York on Oct. 14 or Toronto FC on Oct. 17
AND
• FC Dallas against Colorado on Oct. 17
• IF the Fire LOSE to New England, the team can still clinch a playoff spot on Saturday, Oct. 17 if:
• Toronto FC loses to San Jose on Saturday, Oct. 10 or Real Salt Lake on Oct. 17 or ties BOTH games.
• D.C. United loses or ties Columbus on Oct. 17
• Real Salt Lake loses or ties New York on Wednesday, Oct. 14 or Toronto FC on Oct. 17
AND
• FC Dallas loses or ties Colorado on Oct. 17
View the updated MLS standings here.
CHICAGO FIRE AND SECTION 8 CHICAGO HOST 12TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY TONIGHT AT TOYOTA PARK
Chicago Fire Soccer and its supporter club, Section 8 Chicago, are celebrating the club's 12th anniversary on tonight, October 8th at TOYOTA PARK. The event is open to all fans and will include food, music, games and other activities that everyone can enjoy. The XII Anniversary Party starts at 6 p.m. Fans are invited to come out and enjoy music and picnic games and mingle with fellow supporters, players and Chicago Fire Staff. Tickets are $15 in advance and can be purchased on the Section 8 Chicago website, www.section8chicago.com, or $20 at the door. The ticket includes the price of admission as well as all food and drink at the party. On the menu is roasted pig and lamb, salad, meatless pasta, fruit, beer, water and other snacks. Fans may bring additional food and beverages if they wish. All proceeds from the event will benefit Section 8 Chicago. Section 8 Chicago is also offering fans a $20 ticket that includes a bus ride to and from the event at TOYOTA PARK departing downtown from the Elephant and Castle pub.
Chicago Fire Soccer was founded on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire on October 8, 1997 and joined Major League Soccer as an expansion team in the 1998 season. In their inaugural season, the Fire won both the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup, capturing the coveted "Domestic Double".
BLANCO AVAILABLE FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Fire designated player Cuauhtémoc Blanco has been named to the Mexico squad that will face El Salvador on Oct. 10 in Estadio Azteca and Trinidad & Tobago on Oct. 14 on the road in Port of Spain. Blanco has appeared in eight of Mexico's 2010 World Cup Qualifiers - most recently scoring the game-winning goal against Honduras on Sept. 9. Blanco has missed the Fire's last two league matches with a left hamstring strain.
BUSCH UP FOR SAVE OF THE WEEK - HIS FIFTH NOMINATION THIS SEASON
Jon Busch has earned his fifth MLS Save of the Week nomination after his leaping save this past Friday against the L.A. Galaxy. Busch made a great save for the Fire as he stopped David Beckham from adding a second goal for the Galaxy. His save kept the Fire within reach, though the Fire eventually fell to the Galaxy 1-0. Fans can vote for Busch's save by clicking on this link:
http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/sights/saveofthe_week/
Chicago Fire Attack: 38 goals / 36 assists
Brian McBride - 7 goals / 2 assists
Chris Rolfe - 6 goals / 1 assists
Cuauhtémoc Blanco - 5 goals / 8 assists
Marco Pappa - 5 goals / 4 assists
CHICAGO FIRE/ATHLETIC "RECOVERY ROOM"
**as of Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009
OUT:
John Thorrington - Pubalgia [Sports Hernia]
Gonzalo Segares - Left Knee Sprain
DOUBTFUL:
Tim Ward - Fractured metatarsal
Wilman Conde - Right Hip Contusion
QUESTIONABLE:
Cuauhtémoc Blanco - Left Hamstring Strain
Chris Rolfe - Left Hamstring Strain
PROBABLE:
None
GOALKEEPERS GET BEHIND THE BAR TO SUPPORT CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION
One hour before the U.S. Men's National Team faces Costa Rica in their final World Cup qualifying match on Wednesday, October 14, the Chicago Fire goalkeeping squad will serve up brews and other drinks to fans as guest bartenders at Small Bar in Chicago. Jon Busch, Andrew Dykstra, and assistant coach Daryl Shore will work behind the bar and donate all tips to the Chicago Fire Foundation (CFF). The event will take place on Wednesday, October 14th from 6 pm - 7 pm. Small Bar is located 2049 W. Division in Chicago. The USMNT team game will be broadcast live at the bar starting at 7 pm.
The Fire goalkeeping squad has held two other guest bartending events this season raising more than $1,000 for the CFF.
FIRE ANNOUNCE FIRST THREE MATCHES OF 2010 SEASON
The Fire have announced that the club will begin its 13th season of play on Saturday, March 27, 2010 against the New York Red Bulls in the first-ever MLS match at the new Red Bull Arena. The game will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN2/Deportes with kickoff set for 6 p.m. CT. After the Fire travel to Colorado in MLS Week Two for a match against the Rapids on Saturday, April 3 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (time TBD), the Fire will host the San Jose Earthquakes for Opening Night at TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, April 10. Kickoff for the Fire's first home game of the season will be at 7:30 p.m. CT. The full schedule for the 2010 MLS regular season, including the Fire's remaining 28 games and broadcast schedule, will be announced early next year.
The Fire will announce individual game ticket information in the coming months, but fans can secure their seats for Opening Night at TOYOTA PARK against the Earthquakes by purchasing a 2010 Full Season Ticket Package, starting at just $179. For more information or to purchase 2010 Season Tickets, call 888-MLS-FIRE.
FIRE TO INDUCT CHRIS ARMAS INTO "RING OF FIRE" HALL OF FAME
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that former Fire midfielder Chris Armas will be inducted into the prestigious "Ring of Fire" Hall of Fame on October 22, 2009. The induction will take place during a halftime ceremony at the Fire's final 2009 regular season contest against Chivas USA (7 p.m. CT, ESPN2/Deportes). Armas joins current "Ring of Fire" members: former Fire captain Peter Nowak, former Fire player and current Fire technical director Frank Klopas, the Fire's first General Manager Peter Wilt, and former Fire head coach and current U.S. Men's National team head coach Bob Bradley.
"I FUEL THE FIRE": FIRE ROLE OUT SEASON TICKET RENEWAL PLANS
The Fire have announced their 2010 season ticket renewal prices for Full Season, Ten Game Plans and Club Seats along with special new benefits for season ticket holders. These plans offer a range of exclusive benefits and access provided only to season tickets holders, such as an enhanced season ticket exchange program, season ticket holder only events, a dedicated Fan Relations Coordinator, insider access to fan tunnel and player escort programs for their kids and behind the scenes VIP access to the stadium. Season tickets start as low as $179. Club Seats have been reduced on average by 25% and all Club Seats are now offered at one price, $999. Additionally, Club Seat Season Ticket Holders will no longer be subject to a multi-year contract as in past years. Also new for 2010 are significant upgrades to the sold-out Safeway Insurance Skyway area at TOYOTA PARK. In 2010, Safeway Insurance Skyway season tickets holders will now be provided with a 20 game package including all 15 regular season MLS home games, four bonus games, and a Fire first home playoff match, assigned seating, all benefits provided to season tickets holders and access to all exclusive season ticket holder events. The renewal deadline for 2010 Season Tickets is Friday, October 23rd. By paying in full on or before this date Season Ticket Holders will realize a 5% savings on their 2010 Season Tickets. For more information, visit www.chicago-fire.com, or contact your Season Ticket Representative.
TOYOTA PARK TO HOST BRIDGEVIEW'S HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOLLOW
Bridgeview's Haunted Hollow is pleased to announce that the 2009 Haunted House will be located at Bridgeview's TOYOTA PARK Stadium. Bridgeview's Haunted Hollow will be open Friday through Sunday October 16-18 and October 23-25, and Thursday through Saturday, October 29,30 and 31. Doors open at Haunted Hollow from 7:00pm to 10:00pm on Sundays and Thursdays, and 7:00-11:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission to Haunted Hollow is $10.00 per person ages 7 and up. 6 and under are free. And, this year, you can avoid long lines by purchasing our RIP Tickets. The Right In Pass allows you access to a special fast pass line so you can enjoy Haunted Hollow right away! RIP Passes are available for an additional $3.00 per ticket. You can get your tickets at the box office or at Ticketmaster.com. More information about Haunted Hollow is available at www.bridgeviewhauntedhouse.com.
BLANCO'S 'DIRECTO AL BLANCO' RADIO PROGRAM TUESDAY
"Directo al Blanco" a full-hour live radio program hosted by Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco will air this and every Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. CT. Listeners are encouraged to call and talk to Blanco about the latest soccer-related news regarding the Chicago Fire, Major League Soccer, and the Mexican Primera Division. The show airs nationally on RadioCadena stations in Chicago (WRTO-AM), Las Vegas (KLSQ-AM), Los Angeles (KTNQ-AM), San Francisco (KLOK-AM), El Paso (KAMA-AM), San Antonio (KCOR-AM), Dallas (KFLC-AM), McAllen (KGBT-AM), Houston (KLAT-AM), New York (WADO-AM), and Miami (WQBA-AM).
