MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Clash with Philadelphia Union

Published on May 16, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire (1-3-5, 8 points) head to Philadelphia to take on Philadelphia Union (4-3-2, 14 points) at PPL Park on Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. CT (Galavision). Saturday's fixture marks the Men in Red's second all-time visit to the City of Brotherly Love.

The Fire erased a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw on the road in Toronto on the weekend. Marco Pappa and Orr Barouch tallied for the Fire to extend the club's unbeaten run to four games. The Men in Red have notched four consecutive draws during the unbeaten stretch, one shy of matching their five consecutive ties from April 11 - May 9, 2009.

The Philadelphia Union are managed by the Fire's first-ever captain Peter Nowak, who played for the club from 1998-2002. Having served as head coach of DC United (2004-06) and Philadelphia (2010-present), the Fire are 7-5-2 all-time in games against the inaugural Ring of Fire inductee.

CHICAGO FIRE at Philadelphia Union

* Saturday's 2-2 draw at Toronto FC was the team's fourth straight. The club record for consecutive draws is five, set in games between April 11-May 9, 2009. The record for most consecutive draws in a single season is five. In addition to the Fire, the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC both recorded five consecutive draws in 2009.

* The Fire split the 2010 season series with the Philadelphia Union, defeating the expansion side 2-1 behind goals from Marco Pappa and Baggio Husidic on June 5 at TOYOTA PARK, before falling 1-0 at PPL Park on September 11.

* With his 63rd minute goal from a free kick last Saturday, Marco Pappa joined striker Diego Chaves as the team's joint top goal scorers with four apiece. Both Fire attacking players sit tied for fifth in the MLS Budweiser Golden Boot Race.

* The Fire are 10-2-1 in their 10th match of the regular season, outscoring opponents 37-18. The Fire played Philadelphia in their 10th match of 2010, earning a 2-1 win at TOYOTA PARK on June 5.

* At 4-2-3, the Philadelphia Union sit second in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind the New York Red Bulls. The second-year side has kept things close all year, with 13 of their 14 wins and losses being of the one-goal differential variety. League-wide, the team is last in Goals Scored with six in nine matches but sit second overall in Goals Against with six.

* With his ninth start of the season in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Toronto, Fire defender Jalil Anibaba set a club record for consecutive starts by a rookie to begin an MLS campaign, passing midfielder Ritchie Kotschau who's record of eight matches stood since the inaugural 1998 season.

CHICAGO FIRE TO FACE SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES IN LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP PLAY-IN MATCH

The Chicago Fire will take on the San Jose Earthquakes in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Play-in match at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Tuesday, May 24 at 9:30 p.m. CT. The Fire meet the Earthquakes for the chance to participate in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup proper.

The Men in Red have never faced San Jose in a Play-in match, however, the two sides have met once in the main draw of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Fire defeated the Quakes 4-3 on penalty kicks, following a 1-1 tie in regulation and overtime, July 22, 1998 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB LAUNCHES YOUTH ACADEMY

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Friday the formation of their new Youth Academy program for boys. Elite players will be trained by Chicago Fire coaches and will train and play at TOYOTA PARK as part of the Midwest Developmental League, a part of U.S. Club Soccer's National Premier Leagues, and in events for MLS youth programs.

Players will be selected through open tryouts and from local Chicago Fire Junior affiliates in the North, West, South and Northwest Indiana. As part of the evolution of the club's Academy program, the Chicago Fire Youth Academy will begin play in Fall 2011. Tryout dates for all age groups will be announced in the near future.

For more information email youthacademy@chicago-fire.com or call 708-496-6580.

TICKETS OFFICIALLY ON-SALE FOR THE CHICAGO FIRE VS. MANCHESTER UNITED MATCH AT SOLDIER FIELD; KICKOFF MOVED TO 4:00 P.M. CT.

Tickets are officially on-sale for the Chicago Fire - Manchester United match at Soldier Field and are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE, Chicago-Fire.com or via Ticketmaster. The Fire will take on the English Premier League Winners and UEFA Champions League Finalists at Soldier Field on Saturday, July 23 at 4:00 p.m. CT as part of the World Football Challenge. The organizers of the World Football Challenge have moved the kickoff time from 7:00 p.m. CT to 4:00 p.m. CT.

The Chicago Fire v. Manchester United match is included in the Fire's Full Season Ticket Holder plan as Bonus Game Two. Supporters can purchase a ticket for the Chicago Fire - Manchester United match by purchasing full Chicago Fire Season Tickets by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or by heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com. Fire Season Ticket Holders will receive an in-kind number of seats at Soldier Field and be given the opportunity to upgrade and/or purchase additional tickets.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CLUB HISTORY, CHICAGO FIRE TO PRACTICE IN THE COMMUNITY

For the first time in the club's 14-year history that the Fire will Practice in the Community. The Fire will hold three practices in the community over the course of the 2011 MLS season with the first taking place in Chicago's Historic Mexican neighborhood of Pilsen at Benito Juarez Community Academy (1450 -1510 W. Cermak Chicago, Illinois 60608) on Sunday, June 5 at 11:00 a.m. CT.

The Fire will venture away from their soccer-specific home of TOYOTA PARK to Practice in the Community, bringing the entire Fire team to Chicago's South Side for a full training session that is open to the general public. Following the practice, the Fire will interact with the students of Benito Juarez Community Academy and members of the local community by signing autographs and talking soccer.

The Practice in the Community marks the beginning of the partnership between the Fire and Benito Juarez Community Academy.

The Fire intend to return to Naperville, where the club played from 2002-2003, to host their next Practice in the Community on Sunday, July 17.

MLS W.OR.K.S./The Home Depot Community Launches

The MLS W.O.R.K.S./The Home Depot Community MVP Contest will launched League-wide on April 29 in all 18 MLS markets, giving fans throughout the League an opportunity to nominate themselves or individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference in their community.

One (1) winner will be selected to represent each MLS market (18 total winners) and will receive local* recognition at a home game during the 2011 season, and national recognition during halftime at the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star game at Red Bull Arena on July 27.

One (1) grand prize winner will also be selected to receive a $10,000 donation to their charity of choice. The voting process will take place during a two week window (July 8-22) and the winner will be announced during the recognition ceremony at All-Star (further details to follow).

Nominate your Community MVP by visiting http://www.mlssoccer.com/communitymvp by June 24.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 16, 2011


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