MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Host Reigning MLS Cup Champions Real Salt Lake

Published on July 6, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


As the World Cup comes to a close, the Fire will celebrate the 19th edition of the World's largest sporting event, when they host reigning MLS Cup Champions Real Salt Lake on "World Cup Night" presented by Best Buy at TOYOTA PARK on Thursday, July 8 at 8:30 PM CT (ESPN2/ESPN Deportes).

With only four days to prepare, the Fire (4-4-5, 17 points) face another quick turnaround entering Thursday's tilt with Real Salt Lake (8-3-3, 27 points), having never lost to the Claret-and-Cobalt at TOYOTA PARK in MLS regular season play, going 3-0-2 in five meetings and 5-1-4 all-time. The Men in Red won't soon forget their penalty kick defeat to RSL in last year's Eastern Conference final in front of 21,723 boisterous fans at TOYOTA PARK.

The Fire will commemorate World Cup Night presented by Best Buy by giving away an autographed Giant adidas World Cup Jabulani soccer ball signed by Brian McBride, Frank Klopas and Carlos de los Cobos, the Fire's three participants in previous World Cups. In addition, several Giant adidas World Cup Jabulani soccer balls will be presented to lucky fans and food from World Cup nations South Africa, Spain and Germany will be served in the Fire's Stadium Club.

For tickets and more information on how to purchase ticket packages, please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or head to the club's official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.

CHICAGO FIRE vs. Real Salt Lake

* Marco Pappa will appear in his 50th match for the Fire on Thursday. The 22-year-old Guatemalan is having the best season of his young MLS career, tallying six goals and adding four assists in 13 games this season.

* Real Salt Lake enters Thursday's match in second place in the Western Conference with 27 points, trailing LA Galaxy who lead the league with 36 points.

* The Fire's only loss to Real Salt Lake in MLS regular season play came July 3, 2006. Jeff Cunningham tallied a brace and Salt Lake benefitted from a Dasan Robinson own goal to defeat the Fire 3-1 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

* In 2009, the Fire won and tied the eventual MLS Cup Champs. Patrick Nyarko's header gave the Fire a 1-0 result Aug. 1 at TOYOTA PARK. In the away leg, Jamison Olave scored to pull RSL level after Chris Rolfe scored to close out the first half on Sept. 12.

* Real Salt Lake forward Robbie Findley returned to action following his time with the United States Men's national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The speedy forward played 45 minutes and tallied a goal in RSL's 5-0 victory over the New England Revolution last Friday.

* Real Salt Lake enters Thursday's match riding a nine game unbeaten streak (7-0-2).

2010 SUPERLIGA ON THE HORIZON

The Chicago Fire return to this edition of SuperLiga after falling to Tigres UANL in the 2009 championship match at TOYOTA PARK. Under the management of Mexican Head Coach Carlos de los Cobos, the Fire will look to improve upon their runner up status as they face off against Monarcas Morelia for the third time since 1998 and Pumas UNAM, who are competing in their first SuperLiga to date.

Fans can purchase tickets via phone 888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or by visiting the club's official website www.Chicago-Fire.com, or by visiting www.Ticketmaster.com .

SuperLiga 2010 Schedule*

(All Times Central) / * Subject to change

Wednesday, July 14

Chicago Fire vs. Monarcas Morelia (TOYOTA PARK - Bridgeview, IL) - 8:30 PM

Saturday, July 17

Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution (TOYOTA PARK - Bridgeview, IL) - 6:00 PM

Monarcas Morelia vs. Pumas UNAM (TOYOTA PARK - Bridgeview, IL) - 8:30 PM

Tuesday, July 20

Chicago Fire vs. Pumas UNAM (TOYOTA PARK - Bridgeview, IL) - 8:30 PM

MANCHESTER UNITED TO HOLD OPEN TRAINING AT TOYOTA PARK

Legendary English side Manchester United will hold an open training session at TOYOTA PARK on Wednesday, July 14 at 4:00 PM CT. The"Red Devils" will train prior to the Chicago Fire's opening SuperLiga 2010 match against Monarcas Morelia, which kicks off at 8:30 PM CT at TOYOTA PARK.

The only way to gain admission to Manchester United's open training is to hold a ticket to the Fire - Morelia SuperLiga match that evening at TOYOTA PARK. Tickets for the Fire's opening SuperLiga match start at just $22 dollars. Fire Season Ticket Holders and ten-game pack holders are eligible for a "buy one ticket, get one ticket" offer compliments of the Fire. Group prices start at just $12 per ticket for groups of 15 or more. For tickets please call 888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or by visiting the club's official website www.Chicago-Fire.com, or by visiting www.Ticketmaster.com.

Led by Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United is one of the most recognized clubs in the world, lifting a total of 18 English Premier League titles, four Carling Cups, three European Cups and a record 11 FA Cups. In 1999, United were the first team to win the Treble (English Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League) in one season. Founded in 1878, the Red Devils have competed in the top division of English soccer since 1938, with the exception of the 1974-1975 season. United boasts a lineup full of international stars such as legendary midfielders Ryan Giggs (Wales) and Paul Scholes (England), as well as Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria) and Edwin van der Sar (Holland).

FIRE LAUNCH NEW SEASON TICKET DEPOSIT PROGRAM FOR 2011 The Fire launched a new season ticket deposit program for 2011. Fans participating in the 2011 season ticket deposit program will also have the ability to hand-select their 2011 seat location at a Select-A-Seat event.

2011 program deposits are only $100 per seat. Those who place deposits will receive an equal number of complimentary seats to any 2010 Fire match. To place your deposit today click here or head to www.Chicago-Fire.com.

Fans who make 2011 season ticket deposits will also be eligible for several other offers for 2010, including:

* Lock in remaining 2010 ticket packages at current season ticket prices

* Eight-month interest-free payment program

* Priority to purchase tickets for the 2010 playoffs

* A Personal Fire Ticket Sales Representative

CHICAGO FIRE EDGED BY COLUMBUS CREW 2-1

The Chicago Fire had their 2-0-3 unbeaten streak ended by a Jason Garey header in the final moments of the first half, capping a frantic four-minute interval that saw all three goals scored in Columbus' 2-1 victory over the Fire at Crew Stadium last Saturday night.

The Fire (4-4-5, 17 points) lost a step on the Eastern Conference leading Crew (8-2-3, 27 points), who increased their lead over the fourth place Fire to 10 points. It was the Fire's first regular season loss to the Crew in Columbus since July 3, 2004, previously going 4-0-4.

After a back-and-forth first half, the opening stanza finished with a flurry. Adam Moffat put the Crew on the board in the 43rd minute when he poked the ball away from Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra, who had come off his line to snare a weighted pass into the Fire's area. Moffat collected the fumbled ball and boomed his shot into the back of the empty net to give the Crew the lead.

Just a minute later, Baggio Husidic sent a looping cross towards Patrick Nyarko at the back post. Crew defender Frankie Hejduk, playing in his first match since May 20, attempted to head the ball out of danger, but instead, placed his header past Crew 'keeper William Hesmer for an own goal to tie the game at 1-1 in the 44th minute.

As the first half came to a close, Guillermo Barros Schelotto played a sly give-and-go to Eddie Gaven who strode into the Fire's offensive third, the 23-year-old, eight-year veteran's cross found Garey, who was able to sneak between two Fire defenders and place his header inside the right post.

CHICAGO FIRE, MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER AND THE HOME DEPOT SEARCH FOR COMMUNITY MVPS

Fans throughout the League will have an opportunity to nominate individuals who are committed to going above and beyond in their communities. Winners will be selected based on their efforts in one of the following areas: general community service; youth programming; environmental sustainability; health and wellness; education; military or civic service.

The Community MVP contest is part of the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community Service Program - a collaborative effort to combine sport and service, promote goodwill within MLS markets and improve lives and communities at the grassroots level.

One (1) Community MVP will be chosen to represent each MLS club. Winners will receive a $500 gift card provided by The Home Depot, along with a trip to MLS Cup 2010 in Toronto (round-trip coach airfare provided by American Airlines). Official MLS merchandise will also be a part of the prize package. Nominations must be 500 words or less and can be submitted by visiting www.MLSsoccer.com/communitymvp. The contest will be open until September 17, 2010 at 7:59 PM ET. Winners will be announced on MLSsoccer.com and recognized during halftime of MLS Cup 2010 at BMO Field in Toronto.

FIRE IN THE NEWS

Battery 1, Fire 0: Minor leaguers again boot Fire from tourney - Len Ziehm - Chicago Sun-Times - June 30, 2010

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/soccer/fire/2448040,CST-SPT-fire30.articl e

Fire struggle to finish in loss - Charlie Corr - ESPNChicago.com - July 3, 2010 http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire/post/_/id/426/fire-struggle-to-fini sh-in-loss

Wait 'til 2014 - July 2, 2010

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-soccer-201 00702,0,3973660.story

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

Player Development Update: U16s qualify for National Finals - July 2, 2010 http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/07/player-development-update

Open Cup Adversity - July 1, 2010

http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/07/open-opencup-adversity

The Numbers: Fire in the U.S. Open Cup - June 29, 2010

http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/06/numbers

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Individual game tickets for all 2010 MLS regular season Chicago Fire matches at TOYOTA PARK are now on sale. The Fire have individual tickets starting at just $22. For more information on any Chicago Fire ticket package please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or visit the club's official website at www.chicago-fire.com .

FOLLOW THE CHICAGO FIRE 24/7 VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

Fans can follow the Chicago Fire on the web at www.Chicago-Fire.com, on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ChiFireSoccer on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ChicagoFire or the Fire's blog EN FUEGO .

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 6, 2010


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