Weekly update: Fire go for Cup repeat

all of the other inductees have volunteered their service to soccer in this state for decades. Illinois has a great tradition of individuals giving their own time to grow the sport of soccer. I was honored and proud to be included in that group. The Illinois State Soccer Association did a marvelous job hosting a first class event. My thanks go out to George Chazarro, Judith McLean, Branko Ilic and everyone at the Illinois State Soccer Association." - Fire GM Peter Wilt after being inducted into the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame last Saturday

"I don't even want to talk about the first half. The important part is that we did come out and do a better job in the second half. The guys came out and trusted that we could do better...I have to work more, but this was only my first week with the team in Chicago. I hope that if I keep on working I'll get used to playing with the team." - Fire forward and Costa Rican international Andy Herron on his MLS-Fire debut Saturday night at RFK Stadium, in the Fire's 1-3 loss.

"I am so proud of everything we accomplished in seven years at the Chicago Fire. My heartfelt thanks go out to Mr. Anschutz, Peter Wilt and everyone who helped make the Fire the great organization it is today. We will have comparable ambitions in Salt Lake City, where I am excited to get to work." - Former Fire Assistant GM Steve Pastorino on his appointment as Salt Lake City's new GM

Fire Invites Media to 2004 Hispanic Heroes Reception on Sept. 29 at Luna Mexicana Restaurant
The Chicago Fire would like to extend an invitation to Chicagoland media outlets to attend this year's Fire Hispanic Heroes reception, which will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Luna Mexicana Restaurant, located at 3565 W. Fullerton in Chicago. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. CT, with a program beginning at 6:30 p.m., and dinner being served at 7:00 p.m. This year's event will honor the collection of 50 Chicagoland Hispanic citizens recognized for their contributions to the Latin community, a group that was first announced at the Fire's Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night celebration at Soldier Field on Sept. 4. To learn more information on the Hispanic Heroes Reception or to RSVP for the event, please contact Everett Gutierrez in the Chicago Fire office at 312-705-7219 by Friday, Sept. 24th.

Etc.

Due to its Open Cup Final against the Kansas City Wizards this Wednesday, the Fire's media luncheon series will be put on hold until Sept. 29, following the Fire's practice session at Lake Forest College at 12:00 p.m.

Fire captain Chris Armas will be featured on ABC-7's (WLS-TV Chicago) "The ñ Beat," this Saturday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The show will feature successful Latino professional athletes in Chicago, and Armas joins an elite lineup including White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen and slugger Carlos Lee and the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez.

The Bridgeview Village Board approved plans last Wednesday to move the proposed site for the Chicago Fire's new stadium in Bridgeview from 79th and Harlem to 71st Street. Ground-breaking for the Fire's world-class stadium is expected for this fall, while the targeted move-in date is Spring of 2006.

The Chicago Fire, the FireWorks for Kids Foundation and Honorary Race Chairman Jesse Marsch would like to thank the nearly 300 runners, joggers and walkers who took part in the Christopher House 5K Run/Walk for Literacy last Thursday in Lincoln Park. The Fire family would also like to congratulate Andrew Medendord and Lori Schafer, who won the men's and women's races at the event.

They couldn't pick up a victory, but the Fire's Mexican League sister club Monarcas Morelia did pick up their first two points of the 2004 COMEX Apertura season last week courtesy of a pair of draws. After dueling Cruz Azul to a 1-1 draw at Morelos Stadium in Morelia last Wednesday, the "Monarchs" traveled to Guadalajara on Saturday to face Atlas, with both teams taking away a point from a wild 3-3 tie. Monarcas (0-4-2, 2 pts.) will once again set out to collect its first win of the fall season this Saturday, Sep. 25 when it plays host to first division newcomers Dorados (2-2-2, 8 pts.) at Morelos Stadium at 5:00 p.m. CT.