CHICAGO - The Chicago Storm announced today that their match on April 16 against the two-time defending MISL champion Baltimore Blast has been changed from a 7:00 p.m. CT kickoff to a 3:00 p.m. CT start. The game has been changed in conjunction with the Chicago Fire's 2005 home opener on April 16 at 7:30 p.m. when they host the San Jose Earthquakes at Soldier Field. The Chicago Fire will also give a three dollar discount to anyone presenting a Chicago Storm ticket stub at the Soldier Field box office to commemorate a "Celebration of Soccer" in Chicago. This will mark the first day ever that fans can watch an MISL and MLS game in the same day.
"We are happy to announce the time change for this game and to continue to work with the Fire in the best interest of our fans and soccer," said Storm Head Coach and GM Frank Klopas. "The Fire are great supporters of ours and this will enable the fans to see both games on a very special day in Chicago. We are fans of the Fire and will do our best to continue to work together."
April 16 marks the final regular season home game for the Storm. The "Yellow and Black" have posted a 14-14 mark thus far in the MISL season and currently hold the final playoff spot in the league as they sit in fourth-place. The Storm will return to action Saturday, March 12 against the Kansas City Comets at 7:00 p.m. CT at the UIC Pavilion. The game can be heard live on www.chicagostorm.net in English and on Univision Radio WRTO 1200 AM in Spanish.
"We are very thankful for the Storm changing the start time of their game on April 16," said Fire GM Peter Wilt. "They have been very accommodating and we are happy to announce the $3 discount for fans attending the Storm game and then coming to Soldier Field to see our home opener that evening. We are very supportive of the Storm and look forward to building on the relationship between the teams."
Individual tickets are available and range in price from $8 to $25 and can be purchased by calling the Storm's front office (312) 226-GOAL (4625), Ticketmaster (312) 559-1212 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Fans can also purchase individual tickets at the UIC box office located on 525 South Racine, Chicago, IL 60607. The box office is open from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Formed on June 3, 2004, the Chicago Storm became the seventh team in the MISL, joining the two-time defending champion Baltimore Blast, Cleveland Force, Kansas City Comets, Milwaukee Wave, Philadelphia Kixx and St. Louis Steamers. The California Cougars will join the league for the start of the 2005-06 season to bring the leagues total to eight teams. Storm home games are played at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. The Storm front office is located at 411 South Sangamon, Suite B in Chicago. For more information on the Storm, please call (312) 226-GOAL (4625) or log on to www.ChicagoStorm.net.
