CHICAGO, IL (Friday, May 20, 2005) - After suffering a disappointing loss at Soldier Field to the MetroStars last Saturday, the Chicago Fire (3-4-1, 10 pts.) will look to regain its home-field advantage this Saturday, May 21, when the squad welcomes the Colorado Rapids (2-5-1, 7 pts.) to Soldier Field at 7:30 p.m. CT for their lone visit to the Windy City in 2005. Despite its recent struggles at home, the outlook appears promising for the "Men in Red," as Colorado brings its MLS-worst 0-4-0 road record to the lakefront on Saturday. The Fire-Rapids contest can be seen live nationwide on high-definition channel HDNet, and fans can also follow the action via Chicagoland radio stations WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish) and the Fire's official website, www.Chicago-Fire.com (English), where links for the Spanish and Polish language radio broadcasts can also be found.
Chicago Fire vs. Colorado Rapids
Saturday, May 21 @ 7:30 p.m. CT: Soldier Field - Chicago, IL
TV: HDNet
Satellite: KU BAND AMC 9, Ch. 23
Audio: WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish), WNVR 1030 AM (Polish), www.Chicago-Fire.com (English)
MLS Game Guide
Chicago Fire AthletiCo Injury Report
Brown, C.J. - R hamstring strain - Out
Buete, Scott - L ankle sprain - Questionable
Capano, Craig - L torn ACL - Out
Griffin, Leonard - R knee ligament strain - Out
Mapp, Justin - R Lateral Collateral Ligament strain - Probable
Pickens, Matt - R groin strain - Out
Thorrington, John - lower back injury - Doubtful
Series History vs. Colorado
The Fire holds an 11-8-3 advantage over the Rapids in their 22 MLS regular season meetings to date. The "Men in Red" have dominated the series in Chicagoland, where the Fire has racked up a 9-3-0 mark against Colorado, including a 7-3-0 record at Soldier Field. The Fire lost the season series against the Rapids for only the second time last season, when Colorado collected a 2-1-0 record against Chicago. The Fire won the first match-up of 2004 on May 29 at Soldier Field by a slim 1-0 margin, but Colorado returned the favor with a 2-0 shutout win at INVESCO Field in Denver on July 28. The Rapids would take the rubber match of the series on Aug. 14 by defeating the Fire 3-0 in Chicago.
Milestones On Tap for Marsch
Fire midfielder Jesse Marsch could become only the third player in Fire history to play 15,000 minutes for the "Men in Red" when the club hits the field Saturday against Colorado. After playing 325 minutes across two seasons with D.C. United in 1996-97, Marsch has given 14,938 minutes of service on the field for the Fire since joining the club in 1998, putting him behind only fellow "Fire Originals" C.J. Brown (15,716) and Zach Thornton (15,320) on the club's all-time list in the category. Another Fire record could fall in favor to the 31-year-old midfielder this Saturday, as Marsch can pass Brown and take sole possession of the club's all-time games played lead. Marsch tied Brown atop the list last Saturday by making his 179th appearance for the Fire in its loss to the MetroStars. During his 10-year MLS career, Marsch has registered 15,263 minutes in 194 games played (168 starts) with Chicago and D.C. United.
Fire GM Peter Wilt to Take Part in Tomorrow's Reading Fiesta
Fire General Manager Peter Wilt will be reading to children tomorrow during the Infant Welfare Society's Reading Fiesta, a fun, outdoor festival that promotes literacy. This year's Reading Fiesta will be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT at the Infant Welfare Society's headquarters, located at 3600 W. Fullerton in Chicago. Hosted by the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, the event is free and will feature a day of fun-filled activities including a children's book giveaway (in Spanish and English), a magic show, a traveling animal show, arts and crafts and a health fair. For more information on the event, please call 773-782-5034.
Quick Kicks vs. Rapids
