MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Notes

Published on August 18, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO FACE GALAXY THURSDAY

The Chicago Fire (9-6-5, 32 pts.) returns to action in an ESPN2 MLS Primetime Thursday match up against the Los Angeles Galaxy (6-8-6, 24 pts.) at The Home Depot Center this Thursday, Aug. 21 (7:30 CT, ESPN2). This is the first of two meetings between the Fire and Galaxy. The Fire are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, one point behind the New England Revolution (33 pts.) and two points behind the conference leading Columbus Crew (34 pts.)

The Galaxy leads the series 13-12-3 which includes a 7-4-3 record vs. Chicago at home.

FIRE TO PLAY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION MATCH AGAINST VERACRUZ IN MEXICO

The Fire will play an international friendly match against Mexican side Veracruz of the Primera Division 'A' on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 4 p.m., at Estadio Luis "Pirata" Fuente in Veracruz, Mexico. Veracruz is currently 3-0-1 and in first place in Group 3 of the Primera Division 'A' 2008 Apertura (fall season). The Red Sharks have a game on Aug. 23 before playing the Fire. Cuauhtémoc Blanco played with the two-time Mexican League champion in the 2004 Apertura scoring five goals in 15 games.

THREE FIRE PLAYERS TO JOIN NATIONAL TEAMS FOR AUGUST 20 QUALIFIERS

Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Mexico), Marco Pappa (Guatemala), and Gonzalo Segares (Costa Rica) will join their respective national teams this week in preparation for World Cup Qualifying matches to be played Wednesday, August 20.

Blanco will join the Mexican National team in Mexico City as the team prepares for their match against Honduras at Estadio Azteca (8 p.m. CT, Telemundo).

This is Pappa's first call-up to the Guatemalan Senior National Team. Guatemala will face the United States in Guatemala City, Guatemala at the Estadio Mateo Flores (9 p.m. CT, ESPN2).

Segares and Costa Rica play El Salvador at home in Estadio Ricardo Saprissa at 9:00 CT.

TOYOTA PARK TO HOST THREE INTERNATIONAL GAMES

CD GUADALAJARA AND CLUB AMERICA - SEPTEMBER 4

Mexican sides Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club América, will add a new chapter to their storied rivalry as both clubs meet in El Clásico Bud Light presented by En Vivo and the Chicago Fire on Thursday, September 4 at TOYOTA PARK (8 p.m. CT). The match, also known as "el Clásico de los Clásicos", was last played on U.S. soil on October 31, 2006 at Glendale, Arizona's University of Phoenix Stadium where it ended in a 1-1 stalemate in front of over 40,000 fans. Tickets go on sale on Friday, Aug 15 and start as low as $30 dollars. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the TOYOTA PARK box office in person, via phone at 312-559-1212, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM WORLD CUP QUALIFING MATCH - SEPTEMBER 10

On Wednesday, September 10, the U.S. Men's National Team will take on the national team of Trinidad & Tobago at TOYOTA PARK in the semifinal round of 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying. Kickoff for the game is at 7 pm. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, by visiting the TOYOTA PARK box office, or by calling 312.559.1212.

U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM FACES IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 20

The U.S. Women's National Team will take on Ireland in a three-match tour, hitting stops on the East Coast and Midwest after their return from the 2008 Olympic Games in China. The Fall Tour will consist of three exhibition matches with the last of these to be played at TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. The U.S. Women advanced to the finals of the 2008 Olympics with a 4-2 victory over Japan today. The U.S. will play Brazil for the gold medal on Thurs., Aug. 21 at 8 a.m. CT. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com, by visiting the TOYOTA PARK box office, or by calling 312.559.1212.

FRANK KLOPAS 8TH ANNUAL FIREWORKS FOR KIDS GOLF OUTING

On Monday, Sept 8, the FireWorks for Kids Foundation will hold the 8th annual golf outing at Silver Lakes Country Club, in Orland Park, IL. Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire Technical Director, and former Fire player and coach, who also serves on the Board of Directors for the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, lends his name and support to this golf outing. Celebrities expected to attend include the entire Fire team and coaching staff, as well as members of other local sports teams. Every foursome will golf with a celebrity in a scramble format. The day includes 18 holes of golf with a chance to win a car, lunch, a cocktail reception, and will conclude with a buffet dinner and prizes.

FIRE LAUNCH ONLINE VOTING FOR ALL-DECADE BEST GAMES

As part of the Chicago Fire 10th Anniversary Celebration, the Fire has launched a new category in the All-Decade Sweepstakes for the Best Games in Fire history. Fans can choose their top 5 favorite games from throughout the Fire's previous 10 seasons for a chance to win great prizes in the 10th Anniversary Sweepstakes. The top five voted games will be announced at the Fire vs. Crew game on October 12 and members of the team from the selected games will be invited to attend the 10th Anniversary Gala on Friday, October 10. To vote visit: http://www.mlsnet.com/t100/fans/best_games/.

2009 SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS

Chicago Fire 2009 Season Tickets are now on sale. With a deposit of $200 on new season tickets, individuals will receive one free Cuauhtémoc Blanco autographed picture and one free $50 Best Buy Gift Card. Call 1-888-MLS-Fire for more information.

FIRE PARTNERS WITH ALIANZA DE FUTBOL HISPANO

The Fire has partnered with the Alianza de Futbol Hispano, the nation's leading organization dedicated to the development and support of amateur Hispanic soccer, for the Copa Alianza and the Alianza National Scouting Combine. The Combine will offer an opportunity for Chicago Fire scouts and some of Mexico's most accomplished scouts to host open tryouts for selection to Local and National All-Star teams. These teams will compete against Mexico's top professional reserve teams. Already established as the premier amateur Hispanic soccer tournament in the U.S., Copa Alianza provides the best showcase for adult Hispanic players in top U.S. Hispanic markets. Copa Alianza Chicago which features 32 of the top Hispanic amateur teams from the Chicagoland area, has taken place over 2 consecutive weekends, August 9 -10 and 16-17. The third and final weekend of the tournament, August 23-24, will be played at TOYOTA PARK with the Local Club Champion playing at 7 p.m. Saturday, and the Local All-Star team playing at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 18, 2008


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