CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Fire (7-6-1, 22 pts.) will kick-off a three-game homestand at Soldier Field against its new Eastern Conference rival, the Kansas City Wizards (4-3-5, 17 pts.), tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. CT. The first 10,000 fans through the Soldier Field gates tomorrow will receive a set of 2005 Chicago Fire Trading Cards, courtesy of AthletiCo. For the second time in three weeks, the Fire will play host to ESPN2's nationwide "RadioShack MLS Soccer Saturday" broadcast, and 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 through the Chicago Fire offices at 980 N. Michigan, Suite 1998 in Chicago. For more information please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE.
Chicago Fire vs. Kansas City Wizards
Saturday, June 18 @ 3:00 p.m. CT: Soldier Field - Chicago, IL
TV: ESPN2
Satellite: VYVX Conf #1852883
Audio: WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish), WNVR 1030 AM (Polish), www.Chicago-Fire.com (English)
MLS Game Guide
Chicago Fire AthletiCo Injury Report
Armas, Chris - R ankle sprain - Questionable
Capano, Craig - L torn ACL surgery - Out
Herron, Andy - R hamstring strain - Doubtful
Pickens, Matt - R groin strain - Out
Series History vs. Kansas City
Domination is the only way to put the Fire's series with the Kansas City Wizards in perspective, as the "Men in Red" have rolled up a 14-4-2 record during regular season play against their new Eastern Conference rivals entering the first of four games between the two sides this Saturday. The Fire has been perfect at home against the Wizards, posting a spotless 9-0-0 record against Kansas City in games played in Chicagoland. Chicago grabbed last year's season series with a 1-0-2 record against the MLS finalists by winning their final match-up by a 3-1 score in the series finale in Chicago on Sep. 1. The two squads fought to a 0-0 draw on Apr. 3 and a 2-2 tie on May 8, both in Kansas City.
Fans at Saturday's Match Get First Shot at World Series of Football Tickets for Fire-A.C. Milan Contest
The Chicago Fire has announced that fans attending the team's home match tomorrow afternoon against the Kansas City Wizards will get the first chance to purchase tickets to the recently-announced World Series of Football contest against legendary Italian club A.C. Milan at Soldier Field on July 27. Tickets to the friendly, which range from $30 to $75, will be available exclusively to fans following the Fire's match against the Wizards at Gate 2 inside the Soldier Field. The public on-sale and kick-off times will be announced next week. Tickets will be available for purchase by calling Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212 or at www.ticketmaster.com.
Red Hot Jaqua Stoking the Fire
Fire forward Nate Jaqua could be the hottest player in MLS right now, as the third-year product out of the University of Portland struck for a goal in his third straight contest in Wednesday's 4-3 loss at D.C. United. Jaqua's 38th minute header was his fifth strike in the Fire's last three contests and his sixth of the season, tying him with Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan and New England Revolution striker Taylor Twellman for second in the chase for the Budweiser MLS Golden Boot and placing him just one goal behind leader Carlos Ruiz of FC Dallas.
Thiago Continues to Set 'em Up
Fire midfielder Thiago continued his stellar rookie campaign with another assist on Wednesday night, as he helped start the pay that resulted in forward Nate Jaqua's sixth goal of the season in the Fire's heartbreaking 4-3 loss at D.C. United. The helper gave Thiago his MLS-best sixth assist of the season and upped his assist streak to three games. The helper was Thiago's fourth in the Fire's last three matches, a streak that has pushed him into the League lead category alongside Brad Davis of the San Jose Earthquakes.
Quick Kicks vs. Kansas City Wizards
