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Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Clash with Two MLS Foes as Preseason Rolls on

February 21, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire continue preparations for the 2011 MLS season with two matches against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL at 10 AM and noon CT. The Men in Red will wrap the Florida camp with an exhibition against Seattle Sounders FC at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 1:00 PM CT.

The Fire saw their first on-field action of the preseason in an exhibition with Florida Gulf Coast University in Ave Maria, FL last Thursday. Carlos de los Cobos used the opportunity to play 30-plus players in three 30-minute intervals. Marco Pappa and Kwame Watson-Siriboe tallied in a 2-2 draw with the local side.

De los Cobos continues to refine his training camp roster and following the third week of training the Fire released supplemental draft selection Amani Walker and trialists Jordan Seabrook, Eric Ustruck, Evan Schwartz, Fabian Burbano, Anderson Costa and Jocian Bento.

Newly signed Uruguayan forward Diego Chaves joined the club late Saturday night and is expected to participate in his first full training session on Tuesday, after doing fitness work the past two days. Tunisian Nadir Taider joined camp in Ave Maria as the newest trialist.

With the latest cuts and additions, 33 players remain in camp as the Fire turn their focus towards finalizing an Opening Day roster ahead of the roster compliance date on Tuesday, March 1. The current camp is comprised of 21 signed players, two draft picks and 10 trialists.

The Fire return to Chicago at week's end and will spend three days off in the Windy City before resuming training in Charleston, South Carolina and competing in the Carolina Challenge Cup with matches against Toronto FC (March 5 at 4 PM CT), D.C. United (March 9 at 4 PM CT) and host club Charleston Battery (March 12 at 6:15 PM CT).

TICKETS AND TABLES STILL AVAILABLE FOR CHICAGO FIRE SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON

The Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, will hold the 13th annual Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon presented by Ticketmaster on Monday, March 14 at 11 AM CT at the Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 E. Wacker Dr. Chicago IL 60601).

Tickets for the 2011 Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon start at just $75 a person and $700 for a table. The first 20 full paid tables get the opportunity to sit with a Fire player. Tickets are available by calling 708-496-6740 or by heading to Chicago-Fire.com.

The annual event, which supports the Chicago Fire Foundation, offers Fire supporters the first opportunity to meet the 2011 Chicago Fire team and raise funds in the name of charity. In addition to interacting with Fire players, coaches and technical staff, the event includes a reception, formal lunch and silent auction, where attendees can bid on Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates, player worn gear and much more. All proceeds benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation.

CHICAGO FIRE 2011 MLS SCHEDULE RELEASED

The 2011 Chicago Fire schedule was released last Thursday and the Fire are slated to appear in a total of 11 nationally televised broadcasts throughout its 14th season of MLS play. The Men in Red will play each of the other 17 clubs once at home, once away for a balanced, 34-game season. The Fire's full schedule can be seen at www.Chicago-Fire.com/schedule.

The Fire host Opening Day at TOYOTA PARK against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 26 at 3:00 PM CT live on TeleFutura. Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com .

SCOOP UP SINGLE GAME TICKETS NOW

Chicago Fire single game tickets can be purchased by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com or by clicking here .

To commemorate the Fire's founding and mark the 140th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Men in Red will hold their 14th Anniversary Match at TOYOTA PARK on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 8:00 PM CT against MLS Cup runners-up FC Dallas. The anniversary match, annually held on Oct. 8, was pushed back four days due to FIFA fixed competition dates on Oct. 7-11.

Highlights for the 2011 campaign include when Carlos de los Cobos' men welcome Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Juan Pablo Angel and the LA Galaxy for the second match of the season at TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 PM CT (TeleFutura) and when long-time Eastern Conference rivals New York Red Bull visit TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, June 26 at 1 PM CT (ESPN/ESPN Deportes). Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and the New York side witnessed 21,868 Fire faithful, the largest crowd in TOYOTA PARK history, when the two clubs clashed Aug. 8 of 2010.

FIRE ENGAGE COMMUNITY, IMPACT PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WHILE IN FLORIDA

To help strength the club's relationships in the Southwest Florida community and to show their appreciation for the hospitality, the Fire hosted a soccer clinic presented by the Chicago Fire Juniors Sunday at North Collier Park. Check out pictures from the soccer clinic in Naples, autograph signing in Mercato and team dinner at The Pub in Naples at the Fire's Facebook page.

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