CHICAGO, IL (Saturday, June 25, 2005) - The Chicago Fire (7-6-2, 23 pts.) will host MLS expansion team Real Salt Lake (3-8-3, 12 pts.) for the first time at Solider Field this Sunday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m. CT. The Fire will be looking to keep pace with front-running New England in the race for the Eastern Conference lead, while Real will attempt to snap their six-game winless streak in League play. The Fire-Real contest will not be televised locally, but subscribers to the MLS Direct Kick package will be able to view the match via Dish Net (Ch. 463) and DIRECTV (Ch. 792). Fans can also follow the action by tuning into WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish) or by visiting the Fire's official website, www.Chicago-Fire.com (English), where links for the Spanish and Polish language radio broadcasts can also be found. Tickets to the game can be purchased through TicketMaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 312-559-1212. Discount tickets are available for groups of 15 or more and can be secured by calling the Fire office at 1-888-MLS-FIRE.
Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake
Sunday, June 26 @ 6:00 p.m. CT: Soldier Field - Chicago, IL
TV: MLS Direct Kick Package (Dish Net, Ch. 463; DIRECTV, Ch. 792)
Satellite: VYVX Conf #1862619
Audio: WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish), WNVR 1030 AM (Polish), www.Chicago-Fire.com (English)
MLS Game Guide
Chicago Fire AthletiCo Injury Report
Capano, Craig - L torn ACL - Out
Pickens, Matt - R groin strain - Out
Thorrington - L hamstring strain - Out
Fire History Against Real Salt Lake
The Fire and Real Salt Lake met for the first time less than a month ago on May 28 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. Chicago used the first goals of the year from Chris Armas, Samuel Caballero and Chad Barrett to record a 3-0 win. Sunday's meeting will mark the first visit to Chicago for the visitors from Utah, a squad that features former Fire players D.J. Countess, Dipsy Selolwane and Andy Williams.
Tickets Available for Fire vs. A.C. Milan, Real Madrid vs. Chivas Guadalajara at Sunday's Match
Tickets to the MLS-international doubleheader at Soldier Field on July 16, featuring the Fire taking on the Columbus Crew in an MLS Eastern Conference showdown followed by a friendly between global club powers Real Madrid and CD Guadalajara (Chivas) will go on sale to the general public today, Saturday, June 25, at 12:00 p.m. CT. Tickets for the doubleheader are as follows: $40, $45, $55, $75, $100 and $125. Tickets for the Fire's July 27 World Series of Football contest against Italian powerhouse A.C. Milan are also now on sale after having been released to the public on Friday, with tickets for that exhibition match ranging in price from $30-$75.
Fans can also purchase tickets for both high-profile events at the Fire Ticket Office at Soldier Field this Sunday before, during and after the club's 6:00 p.m. CT contest against Real Salt Lake. Fans can purchase tickets for either match through TicketMaster by calling 312-559-1212 or visiting www.TicketMaster.com. Fans can also secure group tickets through the Fire office by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or by visiting the Fire office, located at 980 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1998, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Monday-Friday. A limited number of suites will be available for both dates and can be acquired by contacting the Fire's Premium Seating Department at 312-705-7230 for more information. For more information on the Fire-International doubleheader or the club's historic match against A.C. Milan, please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE or visit www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Mapp Providing "Four" Teammates During Recent Streak
Midfielder Justin Mapp has been gaining ground on Thiago's team assist lead, as the Mississippi native has put together the first four-game assist streak in his MLS career. The 21-year-old flanker used his assist on defender Jim Curtin's 37th minute goal against Kansas City last Saturday to stretch his streak to four games, which is the longest such tear in the League this season and the longest since former midfielder Andy Williams had a similar four-game stretch last summer from May 15-June 5. The flanker's four-game assist binge places him just one game behind the Fire's longest streaks, compiled by Jesse Marsch in 2001 and Hristo Stoitchkov in 2000. Mapp's scoring streak is nothing new, as he notched a four-game scoring streak (assists or goals) late last season, which was halted by a season-ending injury in September.
Quick Kicks vs. Real Salt Lake
