MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Releases 2004 MLS Regular Season Schedule

Published on January 27, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Tuesday, January 27, 2004) - Major League Soccer today announced the full 150-game schedule for the 2004 MLS regular season. The defending Eastern Conference Champion Chicago Fire will begin the defense of its 2003 Supporters Shield on April 3 at the Kansas City Wizards and will conclude its regular season campaign on the road on October 16 at the New England Revolution. In a move that will keep the Fire faithful happy, Chicago has tentatively scheduled 93% of its 15 home games in its first full season back at the New Soldier Field on weekend dates, including 12 matches scheduled for Saturdays over the course of the 29-week season. In total, MLS has scheduled 90% of its games on weekend and holiday dates, besting its previous high of 89% from the 2003 season.

"As it stands now, it is a very good schedule with all but two home game on Saturdays. The NFL schedule, however, will likely bump several games when it is released in the spring," said Fire General Manager Peter Wilt. "I especially look forward to the June 5 match against DC United. It will be a special game for the Fire with the return of Peter Nowak and the Chicago debut of Freddy Adu."

After its season opener at Arrowhead Stadium against Kansas City, the "Men in Red" will travel to the West Coast to take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Apr. 10 in the first of three MLS Cup 2003 rematches. One week later on Apr. 17, the Fire will make its 2004 Soldier Field debut when it hosts the Dallas Burn in a renewal of the heated Brimstone Cup rivalry. After starting with three straight Western Conference foes, the Fire will open up its Eastern Conference slate on Apr. 24 with a road match at D.C. United, led by former Fire legend and current Head Coach Peter Nowak and 14-year-old phenom Freddy Adu. One week later on May 1, the Fire will welcome back Bob Bradley and the MetroStars to Chicago in the first of their four showdowns.

"Looking at our schedule, we're pleased to know that our balance between playing at Soldier Field, where we have enjoyed much success, and our games on the road is quite good," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "We are looking very forward to getting back on the field and playing in the great atmosphere our fans provide for us at Soldier Field."

Unlike 2003, the Fire and Columbus Crew will not have to wait three-quarters of the season to face each other, as the Eastern Conference archrivals will face off in their first meeting of 2004 at Solider Field on May 22. That match is the first in a three-game homestand that also includes a Memorial Day weekend meeting against the Colorado Rapids on May 29 and the anticipated return to Chicago for Nowak and the first chance to see Adu in person when D.C. United comes to Soldier Field on June 5. Other summer highlights include the first of Chicago's two trips to The Home Depot Center to face the Los Angeles Galaxy on June 12 and a home-and-home series against the New England Revolution on July 10 (at Chicago) and July 14 (at New England) in their first meetings since last November's Eastern Conference Championship match at Soldier Field.

Fire fans can witness San Jose in person twice this upcoming season, as the defending MLS Cup champs - led by Landon Donovan and new Head Coach Dominic Kinnear - will visit Chicago on June 19 and Aug. 18 - the Fire's lone mid-week game during MLS play. The Fire will visit Dallas only once in 2004, making its lone return to the famed Cotton Bowl on Aug. 28. The Fire will close its 2004 season by playing six of its final seven matches against Eastern Conference opponents, including home matches against D.C. United (Sept. 4), Columbus (Sept. 12) and New England (Sept. 25). For the second consecutive season, Colorado will be the Fire's opponent in its regular season home finale when the "Men in Red" host the Rapids on Oct. 9.

The Fire will release match times and its 2004 television schedule as a later date. Along with its 30-game MLS regular season schedule, the Fire will also be competing in a pair of Cup competitions this year - the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Fire will open up its home-and-home Champions Cup quarterfinals series against CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh of Trinidad and Tobago on Mar. 17 in Port of Spain, Trinidad before hosting the return leg on Mar. 24 at Solider Field. Should the Fire advance in the tournament, it will play in the semifinal round on Apr. 14 and 21 and in the finals on May 4 and 11. The U.S. Soccer Federation will also release its match dates and participation guidelines for the 2004 U.S. Open Cup competition at a later date. The Fire will enter the country's oldest Cup competition as the defending champion after winning the third Dewar Trophy in club history last season.

Along with the regular season schedule, Major League Soccer announced the dates for its two marquee events - the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup 2004. The 2004 All-Star showcase is currently slated for July 24 at 2:30 p.m. CT (live on ABC Sports) while the ninth MLS title game will be played on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 2:30 p.m. CT and also broadcast live on ABC Sports. The host venues for these two marquee league showcase events will be determined in the near future.

2004 CHICAGO FIRE SCHEDULE

DAY DATE OPPONENT
Sat. April 3 at Kansas City @ 7:30 p.m. CT
Sat. April 10 at San Jose
Sat. April 17 Dallas
Sat. April 24 at D.C. United
Sat. May 1 MetroStars
Sat. May 8 at Kansas City
Sat. May 15 at MetroStars
Sat. May 22 Columbus
Sat. May 29 Colorado
Sat. June 5 D.C. United
Sat. June 12 at Los Angeles
Sat. June 19 San Jose
Sun. June 27 Los Angeles
Sat. July 3 at Columbus
Sat. July 10 New England
Wed. July 14 at New England
Sat. July 17 at MetroStars
Sat. July 31 MetroStars
Sat. August 7 Kansas City
Sat. August 14 at Colorado
Wed. August 18 San Jose
Sat. August 21 at Los Angeles
Sat. August 28 at Dallas
Sat. September 4 D.C. United
Sun. September 12 Columbus
Sat. September 18 at D.C. United
Sat. September 25 New England
Sat. October 2 at Columbus
Sat. October 9 Colorado
Sat. October 16 at New England

* Game times and television schedule will be announced at a later date.

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Major League Soccer Stories from January 27, 2004


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