MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Host Reigning MLS Cup Champions Sporting Kansas City

May 12, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO FIRE RETURN HOME TO FACE LONG-TIME EASTERN CONFERENCE FOES SPORTING KANSAS CITY AT TOYOTA PARK

The Chicago Fire (1-2-6, nine points) return home to take on Eastern Conference-leading Sporting Kansas City (5-2-2, 17 points) at Toyota Park on Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. CT (UniMas/My50/TWCSC Wisconsin/La Ley 107.9 FM).

Tickets for the match, presented by Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program, are available via Ticketmaster or www.Chicago-Fire.com. The first 5,000 fans in the stadium will receive a special commemorative captain's pennant.

Sporting Kansas City defeated the Montreal Impact 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at Stade Saputo and will host the Philadelphia Union in midweek action at Sporting Park on Wednesday, May 14 prior to Sunday's match.

Following the match, the Fire will host the Richmond Kickers in MLS Reserve League action at 4:30 p.m. CT on the Toyota Park Stadium Field. Fans attending the first team match are encouraged to remain in the stadium between matches. Fans entering Toyota Park for the Reserve game will be allowed complimentary entry upon the conclusion of the first match.

CHICAGO FIRE vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY

- The Fire hold a 24-12-10 all-time regular season record against Sporting Kansas City, including a 16-4-2 record in matches played at home.

- The Fire have outscored Sporting Kansas City 82 to 54 in regular season matches.

- The Men in Red return to Toyota Park after earning their first season win on the road against the New York Red Bulls 5-4 on Saturday evening.

- Fire Homegrown rookie Harry Shipp was named MLS Player of the Week for his three-goal, one assist performance.

- Patrick Nyarko's game-winning goal in the 64th minute of the Fire's victory against the Red Bulls on Saturday evening pulled him into a tie for 15th on the club's all-time MLS scoring list with Lubos Kubik and Cuauhtemoc Blanco at 16.

- Nyarko's assist on Shipp's 54th minute goal moved him within one of Justin Mapp for fourth place on the club's all-time MLS assist list with 34.

- With his substitute appearance on Saturday, Fire defender Gonzalo Segares (213) moved within one game of tying Chris Armas (214) for fourth on the club's all-time MLS Regular Season appearance list. The pair sit just behind goalkeeper Zach Thornton (215) for third on the list.

CHICAGO FIRE WELCOME DOCKLANDS JFC

The Fire and Fire Academy will host the London-based Docklands JFC U13 team in Chicago from May 16 - May 20. While in Chicago, the youth club will participate in a variety of games and activities, highlighted by a game against the Chicago Fire U13 Academy on the Toyota Park main field at 6:00 PM CT, following the Fire vs. Sporting Kansas City game (2 PM CT), and the Fire reserve game against vs. Richmond Kickers (4:30 PM CT). Fire owner Andrew Hauptman first connected with the Club in 2012, and since then the Chicago Fire have formally partnered with Docklands JFC, including sponsoring the Docklands JFC's kit, as well supplying training equipment and training tops. This marks the Club's first visit to Chicago.

CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB TO HOST FOURTH ANNUAL ART OF FUTBOL

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club is set to host its fourth annual Art of Futbol event, benefiting the Chicago Fire Foundation on Wednesday, May 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Prairie Production Studio (1314 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607).

The one-of-a-kind art exhibition will once again feature talented local artists and their original work depicting the beautiful game of soccer. Guests will also have the opportunity to see artwork created on-site, as this year's program will introduce new, interactive displays.

The Club put out a call to Chicagoland artists, asking for creative and expressive artwork to be showcased at the event, which can be of traditional or non-traditional genre and media, including drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, mixed media and poetry. Chosen pieces will be displayed at the event and judged by attendees and guest judges, who will select a grand prize winner.

Artists will also have the opportunity to sell their work at the end of the event. Additionally, select artists will be recognized at Toyota Park during the Chicago Fire match against reigning MLS Cup champions Sporting Kansas City on May 18.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit 2014artoffutbol.eventbrite.com.

GRANT WARD ARRIVES IN CHICAGO

Midfielder Grant Ward, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur FC, has arrived in Chicago and will join the team for training on Tuesday, May 13.

The 19-year-old joined the Fire for preseason training camp and scored on Feb. 8 in a 2-0 win over D.C. United in Bradenton, Fla. and a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids in Tucson, Ariz.

The Lewisham, England native suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal on March 6 and remained in England while rehabilitating his injury.

CHICAGO FIRE PDL AND SUPER-20S GEAR UP FOR 2014 CAMPAIGNS

Led by former first team assistant coach Mike Matkovich, the Chicago Fire PDL side will begin their 2014 season this Saturday, May 17 on the road against the Michigan Bucks at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Mich.

One of the most successful franchises in the United Soccer Leagues' PDL since joining the league in 2011, current Homegrown players and first team players Chris Ritter and Harry Shipp are Fire PDL alums.

The Super-20s will begin their season two weeks later at Toyota Park on Friday, May 30 at 2 p.m. CT against the Toronto Lynx.

CHICAGO FIRE HOST TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC JULY 26 AT TOYOTA PARK

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will welcome Barclays Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to Toyota Park in an international friendly on Saturday, July 26 at 7:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2).

This is just the fifth time that the Fire will welcome an English side to the Chicagoland area. The Men in Red are 2-2-0 in international friendlies against clubs from England, including Aston Villa, Manchester United, Everton and Derby County.

Tickets for July 26 friendly against the Spurs and to the Fire's MLS Regular Season home matches a re available via Ticketmaster and www.Chicago-Fire.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 12, 2014


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