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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update

March 13, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


Fire turns attention to FC Dallas test on March 17

The "Men in Red" are enjoying a short break from action this week in Chicago before departing Thursday morning for the squad's next preseason training trek to Oklahoma City, Okla. prior to the 2007 Saturn Cup, the Fire's preseason match-up versus FC Dallas on March 17. The Chicago Fire wrapped up its 12-day training camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. last week, falling in each of the team's final two exhibitions in the Golden State. The Fire lost a 1-2 result to the Los Angeles Galaxy in its second of three West Coast tests last Tuesday, and finished its two-week stay suffering a similar 1-2 defeat to collegiate power UCLA on Friday. Chicago has confirmed that kick-off for its Saturn Cup contest in Norman, Okla. will start at 7:30 p.m. CT at John Crain Field. For more information, please visit www.saturncup.com.

2007 Chicago Fire Preseason Schedule

Date Opponent Site Score/Time Record

2-10 Univ. of South Florida IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. 4-0 W 1-0-0

2-10 U.S. U-17 Men's National Team IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. 2-0 W 2-0-0

2-13 Columbus Crew IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. 0-0 T 2-0-1

2-16 Real Salt Lake Disney's Wide World of Sports - Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 2-1 W 3-0-1

2-18 Houston Dynamo Disney's Wide World of Sports - Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 1-3 L 3-1-1

2-21 Kansas City Wizards IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. 0-4 L 3-2-1

3-03 Chivas USA The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif. 2-1 W 4-2-1

3-06 Los Angeles Galaxy The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif. 1-2 L 4-3-1

3-09 UCLA The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif. 2-1 L 4-4-1

3-17 FC Dallas Univ. of Oklahoma, John Crain Field - Norman, Okla. 7:30 p.m. CT

3-24 Miami FC Tropical Park Stadium - Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 5:00 p.m. ET

3-31 Chivas USA M&F Bank Stadium - Ridgeland, Miss. 7:30 p.m. CT

Sarachan trims roster prior to Oklahoma stint

As of March 1, all 13 MLS sides adhered to the mandatory 28-man roster deadline that states no more than 18 Senior roster players and 10 Developmental roster players - under contract - can be on any team. As a result, the Fire has waived Craig Capano, Leonard Griffin, Jared Montz, and John Thorrington. In addition, the Fire could not come to contractual terms will Tony Sanneh and Ryan Johnson after tending contract offers to both players and subsequently placed the duo on its Right of First Refusal list. The following is the current Chicago Fire preseason roster, by position/alphabetic order:

Goalkeepers (3): David Mahoney, Nick Noble, Matt Pickens

Defenders (9): C.J. Brown, Jeff Curtin, Jim Curtin, Erik Hort, Jordan Russolillo, Dasan Robinson, Gonzalo Segares, Bakary Soumare, Daniel Woolard

Midfielders (12): Chris Armas, Mike Banner, Pascal Bedrossian, Floyd Franks, Ivan Guerrero, Diego Gutierrez, Justin Mapp, Nate Norman, Logan Pause, Brian Plotkin, Osei Telesford, Thiago

Forwards (4): Chad Barrett, Calen Carr, Jerson Monteiro, Chris Rolfe

Fire to host annual Media Night on April 5 at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

Credential applications that are submitted and approved by the Fire's Media Relations Department by Monday, April 2 will be available for pick-up at the Fire's annual Media Night, to be held on Thursday, April 5 at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant in downtown Chicago (1401 S. Michigan Ave.) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. CT. Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan and select players will be made available for one-on-one interviews and photo opportunities at the event, at which media members will also be able to pick up copies of the team's official 2007 Media Guide. To RSVP for this year's Chicago Fire Media Night, please contact the Fire Media Relations Department at 708-496-6726 or e-mail firecommunications@chicago-fire.com by Wednesday, April 4 at 5:00 p.m.

Newest additions to Chicago Fire? TOYOTA PARK stadium enhancements

While last week saw the departure of players from the Fire squad due to roster compliance, this week brings new additions to the home of the "Men in Red", TOYOTA PARK. Recently work has begun to construct a fully-furnished players' lounge located near the Fire team lockerroom in the bowels of the park, while high above in the southeastern concourse a new ISSA Hall of Fame will recognize Illinois coaches, players, personnel and teams of the past. Meanwhile, just outside the TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club, a re-conception of the adjacent lobby area has brought a change in seating, visual displays, colors and ambiance.

U.S. Men's Coach Bob Bradley named Keynote Speaker for Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon

The FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK), the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire, is proud to announce that U.S. Men's National Team interim Head Coach and former Fire Head Coach Bob Bradley will serve as the Keynote Speaker for the Foundation's 2007 Season Kickoff Luncheon, sponsored by Ticketmaster. On Tuesday, April 3 the luncheon will be held at the Hilton Chicago, located at 720 S. Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago, beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT.

The Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon will provide Chicago soccer fans the first opportunity of the year to meet their favorite Fire players and coaches, and will be one of the few events of the season featuring the club's full roster. The event includes a reception followed by lunch and a short program as well as features the popular silent auction, which will include Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates and much more. Tables of 10 cost $550, individual tickets are $65 each and the first 20 full paid tables will get to sit with a Chicago Fire player (individual player appearances are tentative and subject to change). This popular event will sell out, so act quickly and order your tickets today. For more information on the Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon or to purchase tickets for the event, please call the FWFK Foundation at 708-496-6740.

Media credentials for 2007 Fire season available online

The Chicago Fire Soccer Media Relations Department has announced that applications for season credentials for the Fire's 2007 campaign at TOYOTA PARK are now available online. Media members interested in covering the Fire's tenth season in MLS must complete the online form, which is available in both English and Spanish by following the links below. Any media members with questions regarding the application process are asked to contact Fire M.R. Director Daniel Jankowski (djankowski@chicago-fire.com; 708-496-6726) or M.R. Manager Chris Bailey (cbailey@chicago-fire.com; 708-496-6724) during regular business hours.

Chicago Fire 2007 Season Credential Application - English

http://chicagofiresoccer.iwebreg.com/apply/2007_Chicago_Fire_Soccer/MEDIA/en

Chicago Fire 2007 Season Credential Application - Spanish

http://chicagofiresoccer.iwebreg.com/apply/2007_Chicago_Fire_Soccer/MEDIA/es

Singles nights at TOYOTA PARK... Individual Fire game tickets on sale now

Single game tickets for the 2007 Chicago Fire's regular season are now on sale. Fans can purchase tickets through any Ticketmaster outlet, by dialing 888-MLS-FIRE, or in person at the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office (7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview), Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT. Single game tickets for the much-anticipated Los Angeles Galaxy match on Oct. 21 will not be made available on a single-game basis, but seats to the big game are currently available through a number of Chicago Fire season ticket and group packages. Fans can get more information about these options by calling 888-MLS-FIRE and speaking to a Chicago Fire Customer Service representative.

Need 2007 Fire gear? The Chicago Fire Store is open

Get your Chicago Fire gear before the regular season opener on April 7 vs. New England Revolution. Visit the new Chicago Fire store, located in the downstairs lobby of TOYOTA PARK, open Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. CT. The store is now open for business and is fully stocked with the latest, officially-licensed adidas Fire merchandise. Don't be the only one not wearing red on Opening Day... come check out the newest line of Chicago Fire gear today.

"Chicago Fire 5-Pack" - including Oct. 21 home finale vs. L.A. Galaxy - on sale now

Fans have yet another option when it comes to catching games at TOYOTA PARK in 2007, as a special "Chicago Fire 5-Pack" ticket package is now available. The "Chicago Fire 5-Pack" includes seats for four Chicago Fire regular season contests - April 7 vs. New England (season opener); May 27 vs. Real Salt Lake; July 12 vs. Houston Dynamo; and the much-anticipated Oct. 21 season finale against the Los Angeles Galaxy, featuring David Beckham - and a home contest during the MLS Cup Playoffs. "Chicago Fire 5-Packs" start for as low as $100 and can be purchased over the phone by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE, online by clicking here or visiting in person at the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT, Monday-Friday. All other Chicago Fire season ticket packages for the team's 2007 season in Bridgeview are on sale and remain at 2006 prices. Those interested in more information, including all the benefits that go along with being a Fire Season Ticket Holder, are encouraged to call the Fire Ticket Hotline at 708-496-6800 or click on the "TICKETS" link at www.chicago-fire.com for more details.

Benefit game for Bill Quigley on March 31

In a further effort to assist with www.chicagofirealarm.com editor Bill Quigley's medical expenses after suffering a stroke on Jan. 19, the Barn Burners Soccer League will be holding a reunion benefit game prior to a Chicago Storm game at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill. on March 31. The match in Quigley's honor will take place prior to the Storm's 1 p.m. CT kick-off. For a $20 donation, those participating will receive a single Storm match ticket and the opportunity to play in the pre-game tribute match.

Last, but never least...

Chicago Fire Media Relations would like to take this time to recognize the recent departure of former Fire Senior Manager of Media Relations, John Koluder. Koluder has left the Windy City and his Midwest roots to take a Senior Manager position within the Real Salt Lake Media Relations department. The Indiana University alum is survived by Media Relations Director Daniel Jankowski, as well as Manager Chris Bailey and intern Lauren Brophy. For those who would like to say a last goodbye to John before he makes his move to the mountains, a farewell celebration will take place this Wednesday, March 14 starting at 6:00 p.m. CT at The Full Shilling bar, located at 3724 N Clark St. in Chicago's Wrigleyville district.

Etc...

- Chicago Fire Soccer would like to thank those who participated in the 2007 Illinois Youth Soccer Expo/FireFest last Saturday, March 10 at The Sport Center in Schaumburg, Ill. This year's edition of the event witnessed a full-house for the Illinois Youth Soccer Expo/FireFest, with fans enjoying the day's events highlighted by the appearance of Fire midfielders Diego Gutierrez and Brian Plotkin to sign autographs.

- The 2007 MLS Reserve Division schedule has been released and the Chicago Reserves learned it will face the Colorado Rapids on the road Monday, April 16 in a season-opening match-up at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The squad's first home game at TOYOTA PARK will be on Sunday, April 22 versus the Kansas City Wizards.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 13, 2007


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