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Chicago Fire FC

Fire Look For Important Road Points This Weekend Against The Kansas City Wizards

August 12, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire (8-4-8, 32 pts.) will look to get back to their winning ways this weekend as the team travels to Kansas City to face the Wizards on Sunday, August 16 at Community America Ballpark (2 p.m., TeleFutura). The Fire fell to the Western Conference leader, Houston Dynamo, last week 3-2 on the road for just their second road loss this season. Despite the loss, Chicago remains in second place in the Eastern Conference, four points behind the Columbus Crew, and four points ahead of D.C. United.

The Fire are facing the Wizards for the second time this season after posting a 2-2 tie against Kansas City on April 18. Forward Brian McBride provided both goals for the Fire as Chicago went up 2-0 leading into the half. Kansas City scored two goals in the final 15 minutes of the match to level the score and earn one point on the road.

The Fire will be up against a hungry Wizards team as the squad from Kansas City is winless in their last four matches - tying two and losing two. The team is also now under the direction of Technical Director and interim head coach Peter Vermes after the club fired head coach Curt Onalfo two weeks ago.

Sunday's match is the 36th all-time regular season meeting between the two clubs and the first of two meetings in 2009. The Fire hold the advantage in the all-time series between the two teams with a record of 19-9-7. The Fire also hold the home field advantaged with a record of 13-2-2 in Chicago (4-1-1 at TOYOTA PARK). The Fire have a commanding lead in goal scoring in Chicago as well, posting 38 goals scored to just 14 goals against through contests in Chicago.

Despite having the advantage in road goal scoring with 32 goals to their 29, the Wizards have a slight edge on the Fire in games played in Kansas City. The Fire have gone 6-7-5 all-time in road contests against Kansas City and will look to improve on that record Sunday.

Last season, the Fire were 0-1-2 against KC with a 1-0 loss at home to start the 2008 series on April 20 and two ties on the road (0-0 on July 27 and a 1-1 tie on Oct. 5). Blanco scored the lone goal for the Fire in 2008 off a penalty kick during the Oct. 5 contest at Kansas City.

CHICAGO FIRE/ATHLETICO "RECOVERY ROOM"

PROBABLE: None

QUESTIONABLE: Wilman Conde - Left Hamstring Strain, John Thorrington -Right Groin Strain

DOUBTFUL: None

OUT: Brian McBride - Right Shoulder Surgery, Gonzalo Segares - Left MCL Sprain, Daniel Woolard -Left Ankle Sprain, Tim Ward - Fractured Metatarsal

CHICAGO FIRE CAUTION WATCH

Player Number of Cautions

Gonzalo Segares 4

Chris Rolfe 4

John Thorrington 4

Jon Busch 3

Tim Ward 3

BLANCO NAMED TO MEXICO ROSTER FOR USA VS. MEXICO

The Mexican National Team has named Cuauhtémoc Blanco to the squad that will face the U.S. Men's National Team in a World Cup Qualifier today, Wednesday, August 12 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (3 p.m. CT, Telemundo). Blanco has already appeared in five 2010 World Cup Qualifiers for Mexico and has played in 20 Qualifiers throughout his international career. Blanco has represented Mexico at two FIFA World Cups - 1998 and 2002.

The Fire are holding special watch parties for the midday game at Fado's (100 W. Grand, Chicago) and Small Bar (2049 W. Division).

SOUMARE JOINS MALI FOR FRIENDLY IN FRANCE

Fire defender Bakary Soumare has joined Mali for a friendly this Wednesday, August 12 against Burkina Faso in Rouen, France. The match is in preparation for their remaining 2010 World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Soumare is expected to return to the Fire for training in Chicago prior to the team's match against Kansas City this Sunday.

HOP ON THE BUS AND SUPPORT THE FIRE IN KANSAS CITY!

Due to an overwhelming response from fans to support the Fire this weekend against the Wizards, the Fire has added a second bus option. This second bus will leave at 11:45pm on Saturday night, August 15, offering fans the opportunity to get to the game without having to pay for a hotel room. The cost for roundtrip bus and game ticket is only $40 and fans can book their seat by downloading the order form faxing or emailing it to the Chicago Fire by Friday, August 14 at 5 p.m. CT. Fans can also book their seat over the phone:

fax: 708-496-6050

email: firemarketing@chicago-fire.com

or

book over the phone: 708-496-6765

This bus will leave from the parking lot at the Northwestern Business College, located at 77th and Harlem Ave. Fans are asked to park as close to Harlem Ave. as possible in the lot, behind the Haunted Trails amusement park. Fans are asked to arrive by 11:30 p.m. The bus is scheduled to arrive in Kansas City at 10am. The bus will depart from the Community America Ballpark immediately following the game (approximately 4:45 p.m.) with an estimated arrival time in Bridgeview of 3:00 a.m.

BLANCO LANDS COVER OF FIFA 10

Electronic Arts Inc. has announced that Cuauhtémoc Blanco will be featured on the front packs of FIFA Soccer 10, the next chapter in the internationally acclaimed videogame franchise from EA SPORTSTM. EA Sports cited Blanco's well-known and unique Cuauhtémiña (CWAU-te-MEEN-YA), or "Blanco Bounce" move where he jumps with the ball held between his feet to escape defenders, which will be a featured skill move in FIFA Soccer 10. Blanco will be joined on the cover by midfielder Sacha Kljestan of Chivas USA, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2008. In his third year in MLS, Kljestan led Chivas USA in scoring, was named Team MVP, chosen as an MLS All-Star, and played for the United States Olympic Team, as well as Chelsea's midfielder Frank Lampard.

LOWRY EARNS GOAL OF THE WEEK NOMINATION FOR HIS FIRST CAREER MLS GOAL

Chicago Fire midfielder Peter Lowry has earned his first MLS Goal of the Week nomination after scoring his first goal of the season in his second ever MLS game this past Sunday against the Houston Dynamo. Lowry's goal evened up the score to 2-2 in the 48th minute, just two minutes after a goal from forward Chris Rolfe. Cuauhtémoc Blanco's fantastic cross from the left side of the field allowed Lowry to volley the ball into the corner of the net. The Fire eventually fell to the Dynamo in a penalty kick by Stuart Holden in the 83rd minute.

Fans can vote for Lowry's goal by clicking on this link: http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/sights/goal_of_the_week/

CHICAGO FIRE'S JON BUSCH EARNS THIRD MLS SAVE OF THE WEEK NOMINATION

Jon Busch has earned his third MLS Save of the Week nomination after his crucial save this past Sunday against the Houston Dynamo. Busch made a big save for the Fire as he stopped a header attempt following a Dynamo corner kick. His save kept the score tied, though the Fire eventually fell to the Dynamo 3-2.

Fans can vote for Busch's save by clicking on this link: http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/sights/save_of_the_week/

CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION AND U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION PARTNER "PASSBACK DAY" ON AUGUST 23rd

The Chicago Fire and the Chicago Fire Foundation in conjunction with the U.S. Soccer Foundation (USSF) will be collecting donations of new or gently used soccer equipment on August 23rd at the Fire versus Colorado Rapids game at Toyota Park that will be given to kids throughout the Chicagoland area who lack access to such soccer basics. The Chicago Fire is looking to collect everything from shin guards, soccer balls and soccer cleats to socks, water bottles and goalie gloves. This year, many groups will benefit from the August 23rd drive, including Chicagoland area organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Illinois Youth Soccer Association (IYSA), Breaking Free, and the Southwest REACH organization. Earlier this year, Best Buy received goods from the Chicago Fire that were taken to Guatemala to be distributed to youth through an organization called Common Hope.

The Passback Program helps to ensure that communities throughout Chicagoland have access to necessary soccer equipment. The Chicago Fire and Chicago Fire Foundation are proud of this endeavor and are asking fans to help make the August 23rd drive the most successful one to date.

GONZALO SEGARES IS UNIVISION CHICAGO'S FEATURED PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The Fire and Univision Chicago are partnering to feature a different Chicago Fire player or coach each month as the Univision Chicago Player of the Month. Defender Gonzalo Segares is the Fire Player of the Month for June and will not only be featured each Monday during the Univision 10 o'clock newscast during the "Chicago Fire: Conexión Máxima" segment, Thorrington will contribute to Univision Radio's Nuevo Dia program on Monday mornings and connect with fans directly through a Live Chat and blog entries on Univsion.com. Head Coach Denis Hamlett was featured during the month of April, midfielder Marco Pappa was featured in May, midfielder John Thorrington was featured in June, and defender Wilman Conde during July.

4-v-4 FUTBOLITO TOURNAMENT COMES TO CHICAGO ON AUGUST 22

MLS Futbolito, the largest touring Hispanic event hosted by a U.S. professional sports league, comes to Chicago on August 22 at Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave. The all-day 4-v-4 tournament is open to players of all ages, abilities and affiliations. Team rosters can consist of up to seven players (four field players and three substitutes) and each team will play in round-robin action, with the possibility of advancing to the single-elimination championship playoff. Teams registered for the competition will be divided according to age groups and competitive levels with winners in each division receiving prizes. In addition to the games, each registered player will receive a ticket to an MLS match (in applicable markets), a Futbolito t-shirt, and the chance to win prizes from the presenting sponsors as well as associate sponsors. For more information or to register a team, visit the official website: www.MLSFutbolito.com or call 888-MLS-FUTBOLITO.

BUFFETT RETURNS TO TOYOTA PARK

After the success of last summer's two TOYOTA PARK concerts, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band has returned to the stadium again this summer for two more unforgettable concert experiences as part of the "Summerzcool" Tour 2009. The Saturday, Aug. 8 was a great success and Buffett will play his second concert this Saturday, Aug. 15. The seating setup at the stadium will be similar to last year's concerts, as all seats will be reserved both on the field and in the stadium bowl. Tickets are on sale now through all Ticketmaster outlets including the TOYOTA PARK box office, Tickemaster.com, and by calling (800) 745-3000. For more information visit www.toyotapark.com.

BLANCO'S 'DIRECTO AL BLANCO' RADIO PROGRAM TUESDAY

"Directo al Blanco" a full-hour live radio program hosted by Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco will air this and every Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. CT. Listeners are encouraged to call and talk to Blanco about the latest soccer-related news regarding the Chicago Fire, Major League Soccer, and the Mexican Primera Division. The show airs nationally on RadioCadena stations in Chicago (WRTO-AM), Las Vegas (KLSQ-AM), Los Angeles (KTNQ-AM), San Francisco (KLOK-AM), El Paso (KAMA-AM), San Antonio(KCOR-AM), Dallas (KFLC-AM), McAllen (KGBT-AM), Houston (KLAT-AM), New York (WADO-AM), and Miami (WQBA-AM).

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