MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Players Report to Toyota Park for 2011 Preseason Camp

Published on January 24, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


Eleven new players will don the Fire badge when they report to TOYOTA PARK for the first time this Friday, Jan. 28 ahead of the club's 14th season of MLS play. The new 11 will join 16 returning players when the 46-day preseason camp begins in earnest at the Bridgeview Soccer and Sports Dome on Monday, Jan. 31.

Since the conclusion of the 2010 season the Chicago Fire Technical staff has been hard at work building the club for a strong 2011 campaign. The Men in Red have added four forwards, three midfielders, three defenders and one goalkeeper since the team last stepped on the field last Oct. 23 (a 4-1 victory over Chivas USA to close the season).

The Men in Red have gone about acquiring players in a number of different ways. The Fire selected Cory Gibbs in phase two of the MLS Re-Entry draft and signed Daniel Paladini and Josip Mikulic on free transfers. The club snagged three players in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft (Jalil Anibaba, Jason Herrick, Davis Paul), picked up three players in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft (Amani Walker, Yannick Salmon and Sam Arthur) and acquired veteran goalkeeper Jon Conway in a draft day trade. Rounding out the new 11 is open tryout winner Pari Pantazopoulos, who will train with the Fire for the first week in hopes of landing a first team spot.

With rosters increasing from 24-30 players in 2011, each Fire player will work towards solidifying a spot in Head Coach Carlos de los Cobos lineup before the team kicks off league play against Brimstone Cup rivals FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, March 19 at 7:30 PM CT.

CASTILLO JOINS GREEK CLUB ARIS F.C. ON FIVE-MONTH LOAN

Last week the Chicago Fire Soccer Club signed off on a deal that sent Mexican forward Nery Castillo to Greek club Aris F.C. on a five-month loan. The Fire retain the option to complete a permanent transfer for the Mexican forward when the loan concludes. Chicago acquired Castillo on loan from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk on July 17, 2010. Per league and club policy the terms of the loan, which will be complete when Aris F.C. receives Castillo's International Transfer Certificate, were not disclosed.

GREEK BORN, MT. PROSPECT, IL RAISED PARI PANTAZOPOULOS WINS CHICAGO FIRE OPEN TRYOUT

Paraskevas "Pari" Pantazopoulos was named as the winner of the 2011 Chicago Fire Open Tryout last week, beating out 210 hopefuls from 19 different nations. The Greek born, Mt. Prospect, IL midfielder will join the Fire for a week of training as the club opens its preseason camp at the Bridgeview Soccer and Sports Dome on Monday, Jan. 31.

Born in Athens, Greece, Pantazopolous began his soccer career with Vrilissia Academy in Greece at eight-years-old. Following his family's move to Mt. Prospect, the attacking midfielder played with Green and White (1998-2002) and locally with the Illinois Youth Soccer Association (2002-2007) before joining Asyl Lisis in Cyprus in 2007. After a year's stay in Cyprus, Pantazopolous returned to the country of his birth to play with Zakynthos from 2008-2010.

Of the 210 players participating on Day One of the tryout, 35 were invited back for a second look by the Chicago Fire Player Development Staff and one was selected to train with the first team. Check out photos from the open tryout: here .

CHICAGO RIOT TO HOLD "CHICAGO SOCCER HERITAGE NIGHT" ON JAN. 30

The Chicago Riot of the Major Indoor Soccer League will host "Chicago Soccer Heritage Night" at 7 PM Sunday, Jan. 30, for the team's game against the Baltimore Blast at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, Ill. The night is in honor to all those who have put Chicago soccer on the map, including long-time Chicago Fire defender C.J. Brown, who will take the ceremonial first kick, and Fire forward and Illinois soccer legend Brian McBride. Tickets are available here or by heading to www.chicagoriotsoccer.com.

Joining Brown and McBride are former players, coaches and staff from the Chicago Horizon, Sting, Shoccers, Storm, Red Stars and Power. The Riot also has invited former players from the Chicago Mustangs, Cats and Vultures.

Fans are encouraged to wear jerseys from Chicago's other current and former professional soccer teams. Those that do will receive a complimentary Riot pin and will be included in a group photo on the field with the Chicago pro soccer alumni.

SEASON TICKET HOLDERS ELIGIBLE FOR EXCLUSIVE WATCH PARTY AT TOYOTA PARK

All Season Ticket Holders that buy or renew for 2011 will be eligible for an exclusive Season Ticket Holder Watch Party at TOYOTA PARK for the Fire's MLS First Kick 2011 match on Saturday, March 19 at FC Dallas. Fans will get a tour of TOYOTA PARK, including the locker room, have the chance to meet Fire players, peruse 2011 merchandise all in the lead-up to the club's Brimstone Cup clash at Pizza Hut Park.

Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com .

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from January 24, 2011


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