Déjà Vu All Over Again as Fire Fights for Share of First at Revolution
For the second time in 11 days, the Chicago Fire (3-2-1, 10 pts.) will square off against the New England Revolution (4-0-1, 13 pts.) in a fight for first place in the Eastern Conference. After losing to the Revs last week at home, the Fire will travel to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA this Saturday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. CT (Comcast SportsNet) for a return match against one of its fiercest rivals. Fans can also follow the action via Chicagoland radio stations WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish). The Fire's official website, www.Chicago-Fire.com will carry an audio simulcast of the Comcast SportsNet call in addition to hosting links for the Spanish and Polish language radio broadcasts.
Chicago fell behind two games in the all-time regular season series against New England with its 3-0 loss to the Revolution at Soldier Field last Wednesday, a result that pushed the Fire's record against the Revs to 7-9-5. Foxboro has not been kind to the Fire in recent seasons, as Chicago enters Saturday's match with a four-game losing streak at Gillette Stadium and a 3-6-1 all-time record at New England. The Fire would rather forget its last trip to New England, as Chicago dropped a 2-1 result in last year's regular season finale on Oct. 16 that pushed the Revs into the Eastern Conference's fourth and final playoff spot and left the Fire out of the postseason for the first time in club history.
Chicago Fire AthletiCo Injury Report
Capano, Craig - L torn ACL surgery - Out
Thorrington, John - L hamstring strain - Questionable
Fire Looks to Extend First Road Winning Streak in Three Years
With last Saturday's 2-0 victory at the Columbus Crew, the Fire put together back-to-back wins on the road for the first time in almost three years - a streak the club hopes to extend to three games with a victory this weekend at the New England Revolution. The Fire's season started with the club pushing its winless streak away from home to 11 games (0-9-2) with a 2-1 loss at FC Dallas on Apr. 2, but since then the Fire has taken seven out of a possible nine points in games at D.C. United (T 1-1), the MetroStars (W 1-0) and Columbus, giving the Fire its first three-game road unbeaten streak since the club began last season 1-0-4 on the road. The last time the "Men in Red" took home three straight wins as souvenirs from the road came in 2002, when Chicago defeated the MetroStars (Apr. 20), D.C. United (May 4) and New England (May 19).
Chicago Fire Juniors to Hold Boys and Girls U8-U11 Age Group Tryouts Saturday in Wheaton
The Chicago Fire Juniors will continue to hold tryouts for its 2005/2006 season this Saturday, May 7 when the club hosts its player auditions for boys and girls in the U8-U-11 age groups. The youth group tryouts will be held at the Hubble Middle School Alumni Field in west suburban Wheaton, IL on Saturday from 12:00-5:30 p.m. CT. In the case of inclement weather, a rainout date has been scheduled for next Saturday, May 14. For a complete schedule of the tryouts, including times for specific age groups and directions to the tryout site, visit www.ChicagoFireJuniors.com or call the CFJ office at 312-705-7250.
Fire Announces Date Change for Match Against D.C. United
The Chicago Fire has announced that its home contest against defending MLS Cup Champion D.C. United, originally scheduled for Saturday, Sep. 24, will now take place on Wednesday, June 29. Kick-off at Chicago's Soldier Field for the midweek match-up will take place at 7:30 p.m. CT. The original September date became unavailable for the Fire after the National Football League schedule, released last month, revealed a conflict with the Chicago Bears' home contest at Soldier Field on Sunday, Sep. 25. The match will cap off a three-game homestand for the Fire that also includes an ESPN2 "MLS Soccer Saturday" showdown against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday, June 18 and Real Salt Lake's first-ever trip to Chicago on Sunday, June 26.
2005 Summer Sizzler Ticket Packages Now Available
The Fire invites fans to heat up Soldier Field this summer by purchasing a 2005 Summer Sizzler ticket package. The Summer Sizzler will allow fans of soccer in Chicagoland to cheer on their hometown Fire while also giving them the chance to see Major League Soccer's two newest clubs - Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake - in addition to the League's brightest stars, including Freddy Adu, Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan. The Summer Sizzler includes 10 vouchers that can be used at any regular season Fire home game and placement on the Priority List for the Fire's new Bridgeview Stadium in 2006 - all while saving $20-$30 off the regular ticket price. The packages range from $130 (Firehouse) to $270 (Premier) and are available for a limited time only. To find out more on the Summer Sizzler package or for further Fire ticket information, call the Chicago Fire at 888-MLS-FIRE or log on to www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Furious Comeback Results in Road Draw for Fire Reserves at Columbus
Second half goals from forward Will Johnson, guest player Hemir Niebles and D/M Kelly Gray helped the Chicago Fire Reserves (1-1-2, 5 pts.) complete a surprising comeback and salvage a point out of a 3-3 draw against their counterparts from the Columbus Crew (1-0-1, 4 pts.) Sunday morning at the Crew's training center in Obetz, OH. After Columbus's Ryan Kelly put the home side up 3-0 in the 51st minute, Johnson scored his second tally of the year in Reserve play just two minutes later to keep the game within the Fire's grasp. However, Chicago wouldn't be able to capitalize again until injury time, when Niebles scored in the 91st minute and Gray slammed home a Johnson shot just moments before the final whistle in the 93rd minute to secure the improbable point.
The Fire used the game to get D/M Tony Sanneh his first 90-minute performance of the year in addition to allowing forward Lubos Reiter to make his debut with the "Men in Red," as the Slovakian striker played the first 45 minutes of the contest. The Fire Reserves will play for the fifth consecutive weekend this Sunday, May 8 against the New England Revolution Reserves at 9:00 a.m. CT. A site for the match has not yet been determined.
Etc ...
