MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Announces 2007 MLS Schedule

Published on February 6, 2007 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, IL (Tuesday, February 6, 2007) - Major League Soccer today unveiled its 2007 regular season schedule and national television broadcast information, with the Chicago Fire slated to appear in a total of eighteen national television broadcasts throughout its tenth season of MLS play. In a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Semifinals clash, the "Men in Red" open the 2007 campaign hosting Eastern Conference rival and 2006 MLS Cup finalist New England Revolution on Saturday, April 7 (7:30 p.m. CT, television TBA) at TOYOTA PARK.

This year's regular season closer will be the highly anticipated home match against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Oct. 21 (2:00 p.m. CT, Telefutura), marking the team's first arrival with its newest star signing, David Beckham. Beckham, the England captain 2006 FIFA World Cup, will link up with U.S. star Landon Donovan in a rematch of the Fire's 3-1 victory over Los Angeles in the 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title game.

Season ticket packages for the Fire's second season at TOYOTA PARK are available now and can be purchased by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or by visiting the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office, located at 7000 S. Harlem Ave., between business hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. CT. Chicago Fire Soccer is proud to announce that Full Season Ticket prices in all seating areas will remain at their 2006 prices, with Supporters packages starting at $240. The Fire has also put its Half Season (10 tickets) and Flex Plan (20 tickets) packages on sale at their 2006 prices. Fans can scout out which seats they would like by checking out the TOYOTA PARK seating chart in the Ticket section at www.chicago-fire.com.

Single-game tickets for 2007 Fire matches at TOYOTA PARK - with the exception of the Fire's Oct. 21 home match against the Galaxy - will go on sale through the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office and Ticketmaster via phone (312-559-1212), online at www.Ticketmaster.com, and at Ticketmaster outlets beginning Monday, March 5 at 10:00 a.m. CT. Tickets for the season-ending Fire/Galaxy contest are currently available for purchase only via Chicago Fire Season Ticket plans - including Full Season, Half Season and Flex Plan packages - and Group Ticket packages. For more information, please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE.

In stark contrast to the Fire's MLS-record nine-game road trip to start the 2006 season, the club will have a much more balanced lineup for 2007, highlighted by the first ever meeting against expansion franchise Toronto FC on May 12 (2:30 p.m. CT, Fox Soccer Channel) and the return of the 2006 MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo to TOYOTA PARK on July 12 (8:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2). The Fire will have two three-game stretches, one home and one away, an improvement over the previous season's epic road trip.

"Anything put in place after last year's scheduling challenges would seem easy, but I truly believe we've put together a balanced schedule that will help us achieve our two main regular season goals - winning the Eastern Conference and MLS Supporters Shield," said Fire President & CEO John Guppy. "Our second year at TOYOTA PARK is setting up in fantastic shape, all the way from the renewal of our rivalry against New England to begin the season from what will be a memorable season-ending match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and its stars, David Beckham and Landon Donovan."

In what will be a first in Chicago Fire history, all of the club's 2007 regular season MLS games will be televised via a blend of regional and national television broadcasts, or through the MLS Direct Kick package. Branching across multiple programming platforms, the "Men in Red" will appear on national broadcast partners ESPN2, Fox Soccer Channel, Telefutura, and HDNet throughout the year. The Fire will be featured four times on ESPN2's "MLS Primetime Thursday," split evenly between home contests against Brimstone Cup rival FC Dallas (May 17) and Houston Dynamo (July 12) and road games at New York Red Bulls (May 24) and the second leg of the Brimstone Cup rivalry series at FC Dallas (Sept. 20). The Fire will release its 2007 regional television schedule at a later date.

In addition to its 30-game MLS regular season schedule, the Fire will also defend its MLS-record fourth title in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Chicago will once again set out to prove tournament dominance when the side takes to the field for a Third Round match on July 10 in what will be the 94th consecutive year teams have competed for the coveted Dewar Trophy. Opponent, location, and television information for both the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and future Fire exhibitions will be announced as the season progresses.

CHICAGO FIRE 2007 MLS SCHEDULE (all times CT)

Sat. April 7 vs. New England Revolution 7:30

Sun. April 15 at Colorado Rapids 7:00

Sat. April 21 vs. Kansas City Wizards 7:30 HDNet

Sun. April 29 at Houston Dynamo 6:00

Sun. May 6 at New England Revolution 4:00

Sat. May 12 at Toronto FC 2:30 Fox Soccer Channel

Thurs. May 17 vs. FC Dallas 7:00 ESPN2

Thurs. May 24 at New York Red Bulls 6:00 ESPN2

Sun. May 27 vs. Real Salt Lake 4:00 Telefutura

Sun. June 3 vs. Columbus Crew 6:00

Sat. June 9 vs. Club Deportivo Chivas USA 7:30 Fox Soccer Channel

Sat. June 16 at D.C. United 6:30 HDNet

Sun. July 1 vs. Colorado Rapids 6:00

Wed. July 4 at Los Angeles Galaxy 9:30 HDNet

Sat. July 7 vs. Toronto FC 7:30 Fox Soccer Channel

Thurs. July 12 vs. Houston Dynamo 8:00 ESPN2

Sun. July 29 at Toronto FC 3:00 Telefutura

Sat. Aug. 4 vs. Columbus Crew 7:30 HDNet

Sat. Aug. 18 at Real Salt Lake 8:00

Wed. Aug. 22 at Kansas City Wizards 7:00

Sat. Aug. 25 vs. Kansas City Wizards 7:30 HDNet

Sat. Sept. 1 at New York Red Bulls 6:30

Sat. Sept. 8 at Columbus Crew 6:30

Sat. Sept. 15 vs. New York Red Bulls 7:30 Fox Soccer Channel

Thurs. Sept. 20 at FC Dallas 7:00 ESPN2

Sun. Sept. 23 vs. D.C. United 2:00 Telefutura

Sat. Sept. 29 at Club Deportivo Chivas USA 9:30

Sat. Oct. 6 vs. New England Revolution 7:30

Sat. Oct. 13 at D.C. United 6:30 HDNet

Sun. Oct. 21 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy 2:00 Telefutura

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 6, 2007


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