MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Focus on New England Revolution, Houston Dynamo

Published on August 16, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Fire (5-5-6, 21 points) host the third and final of their three scheduled matches against Eastern Conference foe New England Revolution (6-9-3, 21 points) presented by Bush's Beans at TOYOTA PARK on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 PM CT (My50). The first 5,000 fans will receive a Chicago Fire flag presented by Bush's Beans.

The Fire are tied with the Revolution in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. With only 16 games played to this point, the fewest MLS matches of any team in the league, the Men in Red can separate themselves from the Revs and begin to chase Toronto FC (19 games, 26 points), Red Bull New York (20 games, 31 points) and the Columbus Crew (20 games, 37 points) for a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Having just eclipsed the halfway point of the season the Fire begin a crucial stretch of matches, playing the next three games over the course of 11 days. Following the Fire's important home tilt with New England, the Fire play the next two on the road, starting with a trip to Houston (5-10-5, 20 points) to face the Dynamo on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 7:30 PM CT (Comcast SportsNet) and rounding out the month of August with a trip to Seattle to challenge Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 9:30 PM CT.

CHICAGO FIRE vs. New England Revolution

* The Chicago Fire lead the series by a slim margin, going 16-13-8 all-time against the Revolution.

* The Fire have outscored the Revs by seven goals in matches played in Chicago, scoring 29 to the Revs 22.

* New Fire Designated Players Freddie Ljungberg and Nery Castillo made their TOYOTA PARK debuts for the Men in Red against the Red Bulls on Aug. 8.

* The Fire is unbeaten in their last seven league matches against the Revolution, going 5-0-2 dating back to May 6, 2007.

* In the club's first meeting of the season, the Fire defeated the Revolution 1-0 at Gillette Stadium on Marco Pappa's 30th minute blast. The SuperLiga tilt went New England's way, when Marko Perovic scored the game's lone goal to defeat the Fire 1-0 July 17.

* Last season, the Fire played the Revs to a draw in both meetings. Wilman Conde tallied a goal to earn the Fire a 1-1 draw at TOYOTA PARK on May 9. In the away leg at Gillette Stadium, the Fire and Revs played to a scoreless standstill on October 17.

* With seven goals, high-flying midfielder Marco Pappa, leads the Fire in goals scored. Zack Schilawski is New England's top scorer with five goals in his rookie campaign.

* The two sides have met in the last five consecutive MLS Cup playoffs with the Fire advancing past the Revs the last two seasons. Cuauhtémoc Blanco's 83rd minute goal knocked the Revs out of last season's MLS Cup playoffs.

SEAN JOHNSON WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE NAPA SAVE OF THE WEEK AWARD

Chicago Fire rookie goalkeeper Sean Johnson picked up his second consecutive NAPA MLS Save of the Week Award. In his second MLS start, Johnson dove to save New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel's last minute header to keep the game level in the waning moments of extra time.

The 21-year-old 'keeper garnered two Save of the Week Nominations amongst his seven stops in the Fire's 0-0 draw with the New York Red Bulls. Johnson earned 50.4 percent of the vote, topping Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Chris Seitz' save of a Break Shea strike in the Union - FC Dallas matchup.

NERY CASTILLO THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH FOR WHITE SOX - TWINS GAME AT U.S. CELLULAR FIELD

Chicago Fire forward Nery Castillo threw out the ceremonial first pitch last Thursday for the Chicago White Sox - Minnesota Twins game at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Mexican international exchanged jerseys with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén.

FIRE ENCOURAGE FANS TO DROP OFF SCHOOL SUPPLIES AT TOYOTA PARK FOR AUG. 18 MATCH

The Chicago Fire, in conjunction with the Chicago Fire Foundation, will participate in a Back-to-School Drive to collect school supplies throughout the month of August for schools and non-profit organizations throughout the Chicagoland community. The Chicago Fire Back-to-School Drive allows individuals to donate new or gently used school supplies ranging from backpacks, folders and notebooks to pencils, crayons, glue and scissors.

Join Fire defender and Back-to-School Drive spokesperson Dasan Robinson in donating acceptable supplies at the bin located in FireFest (near Gate C) during the Aug. 18 Fire - New England Revolution match presented by Bush's Beans at TOYOTA PARK. Fans making donations on these dates will receive $5 off a ticket to a 2010 Chicago Fire regular season home game, some restrictions may apply, please call please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or head to the club's official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com for additional details.

Schools or charitable organizations in need of donated school supplies may contact the Chicago Fire Foundation for possible assistance. For more information on the Back-to-School drive, contact Kristin Johnson at 708-496-6754 or at Kjohnson@chicago-fire.com.

HIT THE LINKS WITH FRANK KLOPAS AND THE CHICAGO FIRE

The Chicago Fire, in conjunction with the Chicago Fire Foundation, will host the 10th Annual Frank Klopas Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Outing on Monday, September 20 at the Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood, IL. Sign-in will open from 8:30 - 9:15 AM CT followed by a shotgun start at 9:30 AM CT.

The celebrity golf outing gives an exciting opportunity for fans to interact with the 2010 Chicago Fire team. Each foursome will play 18 holes of golf with a Chicago Fire player or coach in a scramble format. The event includes a continental breakfast, 18 holes of golf, a cart and lunch with a cocktail reception and buffet dinner to follow. The day-long event will conclude with a silent auction, raffle and the awarding of the day's prizes.

Fans interested in attending can secure a spot for $275 per golfer, $880 per foursome or enjoy dinner and reception only for $100 each. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. All contributions are tax deductible. Space is limited and this event will sell out. Money raised at the event benefits the Chicago Fire Foundation, which enriches the quality of life of the Chicagoland community, particularly its youth, and continues to support organizations whose programs fall in the areas of health and wellness, education and the environment.

OVER 650 YOUTHS TO ATTEND WEDNESDAY'S MATCH AS PART OF CHICAGO FIRE KICKS 4 KIDS PROGRAM

Over 650 local youths will be in attendance for the Fire's match against the New England Revolution presented by Bush's Beans this Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 PM CT (My50) as part of the Chicago Fire Foundation's Kicks 4 Kids Program.

Chicago Fire Kicks 4 Kids is a Chicago Fire Foundation program dedicated to providing underprivileged youths and adults with the opportunity to experience the exciting atmosphere of a Chicago Fire match at TOYOTA PARK. By making donations to the program, participants will add to their company's community service efforts as well as provide networking opportunities and other recognition for the corporation. For every $10 donated, a deserving child is invited to experience a Major League Soccer game. Since 2004, Kicks 4 Kids donors have benefited 26,000 children.

FIRE IN THE NEWS

Newcomers fitting in fine with Fire - Jack McCarthy - Chicago Tribune - August 14, 2010 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/ct-spt-0815-fire-chicago--20100814,0,1673938.story

MLS honors to Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson -The Daily Herald - August 12, 2010

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id400314&src154

Fire need cohesiveness in critical stretch - Charlie Corr - August 11, 2010

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire/post/_/id/513/fire-need-cohesiveness-in-critical-stretch

CHICAGO FIRE TEAM WRITER, JEFF CRANDALL FEATURES ON CHICAGO-FIRE.COM

Segares Happy to be Back in Chicago - August 12, 2010 http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/08/sega-happy-chicago

Carr Back in the 18 - August 11, 2010 http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/08/carr-back-18

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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