MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Head to City of Brotherly Love to Face the Union

Published on May 13, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire (2-6-1, 7 points) head to Philadelphia to take on the Union (4-3-3, 15 points) at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. on Saturday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. CT (My50/La Ley 107.9 FM).

This is the second consecutive match for the Fire against the Union, and the second of three meetings between the two sides this season. The Fire had 15 shots but the Union's Jack McInerney scored the only goal of the match in the 75th minute as the Fire fell 1-0 at Toyota Park May 11. Following the May 18 match, the Fire will return to Philadelphia to take on the Union on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m. CT (My50/La Ley 107.9 FM).

The Fire were 2-1-0 against the Union in 2012. Dominic Oduro's 28th minute header helped lift the Fire over the Union for a 1-0 Toyota Park home opener victory March 24. The Fire conceded the first goal but a Chris Rolfe brace and Arne Friedrich's first MLS strike defeated the Union 3-1 at PPL Park Aug. 12. Dominic Oduro's 69th minute goal wasn't enough as the short-handed Men in Red fell 3-1 to the Union at Toyota Park Oct. 3.

Prior to Saturday's match, the Union will host the LA Galaxy in a midweek clash on Wednesday, May 15 at PPL Park.

CHICAGO FIRE vs. Philadelphia Union

- The Fire hold a 3-4-1 all-time regular season record against the Union, including a 1-2-0 record in matches played at PPL Park.

- This match marks the return of Jeff Larentowicz to both pitch and to his hometown. The Philadelphia, Pa. native missed the May 11 match while serving a one-game suspension for a red card that he received April 27. A graduate of Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, Larentowicz lettered in soccer, basketball and golf. The Brown University graduate won back-to-back national championships with FC Delco Arsenal in 2002 and 2003.

- Union assistant coach Jim Curtain was a member of the Fire for the first seven season of his professional career. Selected in the third round (29th overall) of the 2001 MLS SuperDraft, Curtin made 151 MLS Regular Season appearances for the Men in Red, winning the 2003 and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships and was named a 2004 MLS All-Star during his time with the Fire.

- Current Union defender Bakary Soumare spent three seasons with the Fire from 2007-09. Drafted second overall in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, Soumare went on to appear in 63 regular season matches for the Men in Red. Soumare was a 2008 MLS Defender of the Year finalist and was named to the 2009 MLS All-Star team in 2009.

- Fire defender Jalil Anibaba transferred to the University of North Carolina for his senior collegiate season, appearing in 24 matches while helping the Tar Heels to their third straight NCAA College Cup appearance. While at UNC, Anibaba's roommate was Union midfielder Michael Farfan.

CHICAGO FIRE FALL 1-0 TO PHILADELPHIA UNION

The Chicago Fire fell 1-0 to the Philadelphia Union Saturday afternoon at Toyota Park. The Fire created 15 shots on goal but fell victim to a 75th minute goal by Union forward Jack McInerney.

After a scoreless first half the Fire came out with renewed vigor and continued to press for the opening goal.

In the 48th Gonzalo Segares sent in a cross for the left side to Paladini, who laid the ball off for Nyarko. The fleet-footed Ghanaian was able to pivot and hit a right-footed blast on goal but it banged off the post and out for a Union goal kick.

The visitors got the only goal of the match in the 75th minute. The Union won a free kick just inside the Fire's half. Sebastian Le Toux took a quick restart, sending the ball in behind the Fire backline to Jack McInerney. The Alpharetta, Ga. native took a touch to settle and slotted the ball past Johnson to give the Union the 1-0 lead.

The Fire would get one last chance in the waning moments of the match. Rolfe dribbled into the box, played a give-and-go with Segares, and lofted the ball across the goal. The cross was headed out by the Union defense to Quincy Amarikwa, who unleashed a powerful volley toward goal but MacMath was able to punch it out at the last second as the match ended 1-0.

CHICAGO FIRE SET TO COMPETE IN 100TH EDITION OF LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP TOURNAMENT

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club start the quest for their fifth U.S. Open Cup trophy when they begin play in the third round of the storied tournament.

All sixteen American MLS sides will enter the tournament in the third round, with matches scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 28.

Parings for the third round will be announced later this week. In past years, the sites for the final three matches of the tournament were determined through a sealed-bid process. This year, the hosts of the final three matches will be determined by a coin flip. Home teams throughout the entire tournament will be determined by random selection.

The Fire have reached the Open Cup final six times in their history and won four times, hoisting the trophy in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006.

Additional information on the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup can be found here.

TICKETS FOR THE CHICAGO FIRE VS. CLUB AMERICA MATCH PRESENTED BY TRUECAR NOW ON SALE

Tickets for the Chicago Fire vs. Club América match Presented by TrueCar at Toyota Park on Wednesday, July 10 are now on sale.

Advance tickets for the match are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire, by visiting www.Chicago-Fire.com or Ticketmaster. The international friendly will serve as Bonus Game 1 in the Fire Season Ticket and Ten Game packages. The first 5,000 fans in the gates will receive a TrueCar car magnet.

Las Águilas, who currently sit atop the Liga MX table, have captured ten titles in Mexico's Primera DivisiÃ"n and have also experience success in the CONCACAF region as well, tied with Cruz Azul as the most successful club in the region with five titles to their credit. América were also crowned champions of the 2008 InterLiga tournament, a competition between Mexican clubs to determine qualifying spots for the Copa Libertadores.

Currently sitting atop the Liga MX table, América's roster currently boasts Mexican international defender EfraÃ-n Juárez and Ecuadorian striker Christian Benitez. Juárez, a 25-year-old right back has been capped 39 times for El Tri, and started three matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. América also feature currently Liga MX goal scoring leader, Ecuadorian striker Christian Benitez.

LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN FOR THIRD ANNUAL ART OF FUTBOL EVENT

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will showcase artwork from Chicagoland artists who submitted original pieces that celebrate the beautiful game of soccer at the Third Annual Art of Futbol event at the Society Art Gallery (2140 W. Fulton Street, Chicago, IL 60612) on Thursday, May 16 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. CT.

Hosted by the Chicago Fire Foundation, the club put out a call to Chicagoland artists looking for original works that celebrate the game of soccer and everything it represents. Soccer is a game that permeates all aspects of our city, encompassing varied views and opposing opinions. The Art of Futbol provides an opportunity for artists to share their vision with the local community.

CHICAGO FIRE SEASON AND INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE

Individual single game tickets for the club's 16th MLS season at Toyota Park are now on sale.

One of the most affordable live events in the Chicagoland area, single game ticket prices start as low as $20 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.

Season Tickets are also available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE, via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club's official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 13, 2013


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