MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Clinch A Spot In The Playoffs For The 11th Time In 12 Years

Published on October 22, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL - (October 22, 2009) - The Chicago Fire finished out their 2009 MLS regular season with a 1-0 win over Chivas USA tonight, securing a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the 11th time in their 12 seasons. In the 67th minute of play, Chicago Fire designated player Cuauhtémoc Blanco sent a bending corner kick from the left corner into the box and Chivas USA forward Eduardo Lillingston misdirected a header into the back of his own net for an own goal. The goal proved to be the game-winning goal for the Fire as goalkeeper Jon Busch posted three saves to preserve the shutout win. Chicago Fire players and staff will be available to media tomorrow morning at TOYOTA PARK. Please contact the Chicago Fire Communications office for times and availability.

With the win, the Fire have secured home field advantage for the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, playing their first game of the series on the road and returning to Chicago to play the pivotal second game of the series at home at TOYOTA PARK. Match dates, times, and opponent will be announced at a later date.

The Fire have been one of the league's most successful teams, reaching the playoffs in 11 of 12 seasons, advancing to the MLS Cup Final three times, and taking home the MLS Cup Championship in their inaugural 1998 season.

Tickets are available now for the Fire's Eastern Conference Semifinal home match starting at just $22. Special prices are available to groups of 15 or more by calling 888-MLS-FIRE. The Fire are also offering a special Center Circle 4-pack ticket package for the Fire's home playoff game. Fans who purchase three Center Circle seats receive the fourth seat for free; just $150 for all four seats. For more information, or to purchase tickets and ensure your seat at TOYOTA PARK during the Chicago Fire's quest for the MLS Cup, call 888-MLS-FIRE today.

Eight teams qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs; the top two teams in each conference, East and West, as well as four wildcard teams - the teams with the next highest points total at the end of the season regardless of conference. The playoffs will kickoff with conference semifinal series, which consist of two games, home and away, and are conducted in an aggregate goal format. The four conference semifinal series around MLS will begin on Thursday, October 29 and be played through Sunday, November 1. The conference semifinals resume the following week, being played Thursday, November 5 through Sunday, November 8. The winners from each series will face off in a single-elimination conference championship, hosted by the team with the higher seed, to be held on Thursday, November 11 through Sunday, November 15. The two Conference Champions will play in the 2009 MLS Cup Final, to be held on Sunday, November 22, at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington.

NOTES:

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With the win, the Fire clinch a spot in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs for the 11th time in their 12 seasons of play, missing the playoffs in just 2004.

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The Fire are seeded second in the East for the playoffs - their opponent in the Eastern Conference Semifinals Series will be determined after this weekend's matches.

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Blanco came off the bench in the 64th minute of play replacing Marco Pappa. Just three minutes after entering the match, the Fire's designated player sent a bending corner kick into the box. Chivas forward Eduardo Lillingston attempted to redirect the ball over the cross bar, but instead sent the ball into the back of his own goal.

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The Fire finished their regular season with a record of 11-7-12 (45 points).

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The Fire finished their regular season with a home record of 5-4-6.

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Jon Busch posted his 10th shutout of the season tonight, matching a team record achieved by Matt Pickens (2007) and himself (2008).

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The Chicago Fire inducted former Fire midfielder Chris Armas into the prestigious "Ring of Fire" Hall of Fame tonight during a halftime ceremony.

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Fire Head Coach Denis Hamlett: "It took 30 games to get to this point, but we're finally in the playoffs. I thought that the last two games defensively we're getting back to the way we played early in the year. To win championships you have to have a good defensive mindset, and I think we can build on these last two games."

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 22, 2009


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