MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Kicks Off 2004 Season Wednesday With Champions Cup Clash in Caribbean

Published on March 15, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


With six weeks of preseason preparation and exhibition matches in its wake, the Chicago Fire will kick off its 2004 campaign when it takes on CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in the first game of their home-and-home CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series this Wednesday, Mar. 17 at Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad at 5:00 p.m. CT. The "Men in Red" will then host the return leg one week later on Wednesday, Mar. 24 at New Soldier Field in Chicago, with kick-off set for 7:30 p.m. CT.

San Juan Jabloteh claimed its first ever berth in the Champions Cup by winning the CFU (Caribbean Football Union) crown last December via penalty kicks over fellow Trinidad side Vibe CT 105 FM W Connection FC. Jabloteh, who joined Trinidad and Tobago's Professional Football League in its inaugural season in 1999, won its first title in 2002 and wrapped up its second consecutive crown in January by taking the 2003 League championship by a comfortable 12-point margin. Jabloteh is led by Head Coach Ricky Hill, an Englishman who made over 500 appearances for former English Division One side Luton Town from 1977-86 and enjoyed a pair of stints in the U.S. as a player-coach for the Tampa Bay Rowdies (APSL, 1992-93) and the Cocoa Expos (PDL, 1994-95). Jabloteh features Trinidad & Tobago National Team regulars defender Cyd Gray, midfielder and recent captain Angus Eve, goalkeeper Kelvin Jack and ex-Columbus Crew defender Ansil Elcock.

The 2004 Champions Cup is comprised of the top eight teams of the region: the Chicago Fire (2003 MLS Regular Season Champion), defending MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes, Jabloteh (2003 Caribbean Football Union Champion), Torneo Apertura Mexican Champion Pachuca, 2003 Torneo Clausura Mexican Champion Monterrey, Costa Rican powerhouses Deportivo Saprissa and Alajuelense and El Salvador's C.D. FAS. Should the Fire advance, the "Men in Red" would face the winner of the Pachuca-Saprissa series in the semifinals. The "Men in Red" would play the first leg on the road on Apr. 14 before hosting the return leg one week later on Apr. 21. The 2004 Champions Cup will be played on May 4 and May 11.

Chicago has fared well in the region's showcase club tournament in the past, registering a 4-1-2 record in two prior appearances in 1999 and 2002. The Fire finished tied for third alongside fellow MLS foe D.C. United in its initial appearance in the competition in 1999 and reached the quarterfinals in 2002 before being knocked out by its now sister club Monarcas Morelia of Mexico by a 3-2 aggregate score.

Fans Can Follow Wednesday's Fire-Jabloteh Contest via "Fire Match Tracker" on www.chicago-fire.com

Fire fans looking for coverage of this Wednesday's opening match of the 2004 Champions Cup against San Juan Jabloteh should look no further than the team's official website, www.chicago-fire.com, which will feature the "Fire Match Tracker" for the quarterfinal showdown. The "Fire Match Tracker" will provide fans with live information from Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and is the only place where followers of the "Men in Red" can get up-to-the-minute information on the club's 2004 season opener.

The Fire Media Relations Department would like to issue a correction regarding radio coverage of this Wednesday's match. La Tremenda, WRTO-AM 1200, will not, as previously reported, be broadcasting this Wednesday's contest from Trinidad. The Fire apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the report.

2004 Chicago Fire Preseason Schedule (Dates/Times subject to change)
Wednesday, Mar. 17: CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal at CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad at 7:00 p.m. CT
Thursday, Mar. 18: Fire departs Trinidad; arrives in Chicago
Mar. 19 - Mar. 23: Training in Chicago (sites and times TBD)
Wednesday, Mar. 24: CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal vs. CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh at Soldier Field at 7:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, Mar. 27: Exhibition match vs. Dallas Burn in Ridgeland, MS at 7:30 p.m. CT

2004 Fire Media Day to be Held Next Monday at Rumba Restaurant

The Chicago Fire has announced that the club will hold its 2004 Media Day event at Rumba Restaurant, located at 351 W. Hubbard St. in downtown Chicago, next Monday, Mar. 22 from 6:00-10:00 p.m. CT. Fire General Manager Peter Wilt, Head Coach Dave Sarachan and several members of the "Men in Red" will be on hand to talk with the media about the club's busy 2004 campaign. For the second consecutive year, officials from the Fire's Mexican League sister club Monarcas Morelia will be present at the Fire's annual Media Day. Three members of the Morelia front office - Vice President Fernando Cabrera, VP of Team Development Luis Garcia and Director of Communications Javier Salinas - will represent the "Monarchs" at this year's event in a continuance of the historic partnership between the two clubs.

Armas, Beasley and Razov Help U.S. Earn Hard Fought Draw Against Haiti

U.S. Men's National Team boss Bruce Arena called upon three members of the "Men in Red" - Chris Armas, DaMarcus Beasley and Ante Razov - last Saturday as the U.S. came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against fellow CONCACAF member Haiti in an international friendly played at the Orange Bowl in Miami, FL. Armas and Beasley were both named to Arena's starting eleven and earned their 53rd and 30th caps respectively in the contest. Beasley played the full 90 minutes in the match while Armas would be substituted in the 66th minute in favor of Razov, who saw action in his 24th international match. After the U.S. fell behind in the 69th minute it was Razov that nearly equalized the match twice for the Americans, but his attempts were both saved, stopping the Fire's all-time leading scorer from producing his seventh goal in international play.

Fire 2004 Individual Game Tickets - Including March 24 Champions Cup Match - Now on Sale

Individual game tickets for the Chicago Fire's 2004 MLS campaign at New Soldier Field -- including the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals (return leg) match against Trinidad's San Juan Jabloteh on Wednesday, Mar. 24 at 7:30 p.m. CT - are on sale to the public. The "Men in Red" will kick-off their 15-game 2004 MLS home campaign on Saturday, Apr. 17 at 7:30 p.m. CT against the Dallas Burn. Ticket prices for the 2004 campaign range from $15 in the Supporters section to $75 in the Gold Level seating area. Individual game tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 312-559-1212 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Chicago Fire Offices, located at 980 N. Michigan, Suite 1998 (corner of Oak/Michigan) in Chicago. To order season tickets or for group discounts, please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE.

Chicago Fire Injury Report

Marsch, Jesse - R ankle cartilage damage - out 7-11 weeks

Perez, Orlando - lower back pain - week-to-week

Etc.

· The Chicago Fire Youth Development Department has announced that tryouts for the Chicago Fire Juniors youth teams will be held at a pair of sites in Wheaton, IL in early May. After a successful start in 2003, the Chicago Fire Juniors are inviting young soccer players from throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana to be a part of the area's fastest growing club program. Tryouts for boys from the U-8 to U-14 range and for girls ranging from the U-8 to U-19 can tryout for the club from May 1-3. Players and parents are asked to register at least 30 minutes in advance of their age group's tryout session. For specific sites, dates and times for each age group and more information on the CFJ tryouts, please visit www.chicagofirejuniors.com or call the Chicago Fire Offices at 312-705-7200.

· After earning only two points in its first six games of the 2004 Comex Clausura season, the Fire's Mexican League sister team Monarcas Morelia has turned its fortunes around by winning three of its last four matches in league play. The "Monarchs" started their first winning streak of the spring campaign last Saturday after defeating Veracruz 1-0 on the road at Luis Pirata Fuente Stadium. Morelia now sits in third place in Group 3 with a 3-5-2 (11 pts.) record, just one point behind second place club San Luis (3-4-3, 12 pts.) after the halfway point of the spring season. Morelia will attempt to stretch its winning streak to three matches this Saturday, Mar. 20 when it hosts U.A.G. (3-5-2, 11pts.) at Morelos Stadium in Morelia at 5:00 p.m. CT.

· Major League Soccer fans across the country will again enjoy three different options for acquiring the MLS Direct Kick package (formerly MLS Shootout) during the League's 2004 campaign, as satellite TV providers DIRECTV and DISH Network, along with digital cable provider iN DEMAND, will combine to each present a full menu of more than 100 MLS regional telecasts in 2004. The residential price for the MLS Direct Kick package during 2004 is just $69 across each of the three platforms, while commercial establishments can purchase the package for a flat rate of $100. MLS has collaborated with all three providers to offer two separate free preview periods for the MLS Direct Kick package during the weekends of April 3 and July 3-4. Fans can receive more information by visiting www.DIRECTV.com, www.DISHNetwork.com and www.indemand.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 15, 2004


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