MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Notes

Published on November 17, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO FIRE 2008 IN REVIEW

The Chicago Fire season ended last Thursday with a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Final. With a regular season record of 13-10-7 and 46 points, the Fire placed second in the Eastern Conference and qualified for the playoffs for the 10th time in the club's 11 seasons. After defeating New England in the Eastern Conference Semifinal series 3-0 on aggregate goals, then the Fire advanced to the conference final where the team fell to 2008 Supporters Shield winning Columbus. The Fire improved on their 2007 record (10-10-10, 40 pts.) during the 2008 campaign including an increase in goals scored (2007: 31 GF, 2008: 44 GF) and goals against (2007:36 GA, 2008:33 GA). Goalkeeper Jon Busch earned Panasonic MLS Goalkeeper of the Year after he started and played every minute (2,700) of all 30 regular season games for Chicago. He tied for first in the league in shutouts (10), was tied for second in wins (13) and second in goals against average (1.10). Defender Bakary Soumare was named a finalist for Visa MLS Defender of the Year, while Blanco is a finalist for Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player and Sierra Mist Goal of the Year.

FOUR FIRE PLAYERS TO PLAY WITH NATIONAL TEAMS FOR QUALIFIERS

Chicago Fire players Chris Rolfe, John Thorrington, Marco Pappa and Gonzalo Segares have been called up by their respective national teams for World Cup Qualifying matches to be played this Wednesday, November 19. Rolfe and Thorrington have been called for the second time this season to play for the U.S. Men's National team. The U.S. MNT will face Guatemala at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (7 p.m., ESPN Classic, Galavision). Pappa will join the Guatemalan National Team for that game. Pappa recorded his first "cap" earlier this season and has scored one goal through 4 games played, 2 games started. Segares is currently with the undefeated Costa Rican National Team and travels to San Salvador to face El Salvador (7:30 p.m. CDT).

BLANCO UP FOR GOAL OF THE YEAR

Last year's MLS Sierra Mist Goal of the Year winner Chicago's Cuauhtémoc Blanco is once again a finalist for the award. Blanco's goal at D.C. United in May is nominated for one of the 10 best of the year in the league. Fans can vote through Nov. 18 at chicago-fire.com and the winner will be announced the next day.

CHICAGO FIRE OPEN TRYOUT POSITIONS STILL AVAILABLE

Positions in the Chicago Fire Soccer Open Tryouts are still available. The tryouts will be held on December 1-3 at The MAX Indoor Soccer Center in McCook, Illinois and is open to male soccer players ages 18 and older. Members of the Fire first team staff will be on hand at the tryouts. Registration is $125 payable via credit card only, and the application deadline is Thursday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. CT. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. All players interested in attending the tryouts must complete an application form that can be found at: http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/t100/fans/tryouts/2008/. Applications must be submitted online and applicants must have a valid e-mail address. Applications will not be accepted via fax, over the phone, or on-site.

2009 NEW 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.

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Major League Soccer Stories from November 17, 2008


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