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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Return to League Play Against New England Revolution

June 21, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire look to build upon their four-game unbeaten streak as they return to MLS league play following an 18-day World Cup recess when they travel to Foxborough, MA to take on Eastern Conference rivals New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium this Sunday, June 27 at 6:00 PM CT (Comcast SportsNet).

The Fire (3-3-5, 14 points) head to New England (3-7-2, 11 points) for the first time in 2010 riding a six-game unbeaten streak against the Revolution, winning four and drawing twice, dating back to May 6, 2007. The Fire are fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 14 points and hold a three-point advantage over the sixth place Revolution.

Sunday's match marks the 36th meeting between the long-time foes. The Fire lead the all-time series 15-13-8.

CHICAGO FIRE vs. New England Revolution

* The Fire are 7-9-2 all-time against the Revolution in regular season games played in New England.

* The two sides have met in the last five consecutive MLS Cup playoffs with the Fire advancing past the Revs the last two seasons. Cuauhtémoc Blanco's 83rd minute goal knocked the Revs out of last season's MLS Cup playoffs.

* Marco Pappa enters Sunday's match as the Fire's leading scorer. The 22-year-old Guatemalan has five goals and four assists in 11 matches for the Fire this season.

* The Revolution have been hampered by injuries early. Over the course of 12 matches, the Revs have only been able to dress 18 healthy, available players four times.

* Last season, the Fire played the Revs to a draw in both meetings. Wilman Conde tallied a goal to earn the Fire a 1-1 draw at TOYOTA PARK on May 9. In the away leg at Gillette Stadium, the Fire and Revs played to a scoreless standstill on October 17.

U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM RALLIES TO DRAW WITH SLOVENIA 2-2; ADVANCE WITH A WIN AGAINST ALGERIA ON WEDNESDAY

The U.S. Men's National Team scored two second-half goals to draw Slovenia 2-2 in its second Group C match at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. After falling behind 2-0 in the first half, an early second-half goal from Landon Donovan and a deft finish off a half-volley from Michael Bradley leveled the score at two as the U.S. earned a crucial point at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The result puts the USA's destiny in their own hands, with a win in their final Group C match on Wednesday, June 23, against Algeria at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria automatically earning the Americans a spot in the knockout phase. Following Algeria's 0-0 draw with England in the other Group C match, the U.S. sits in second place in the group tied with the English on two points, but ahead in the standings based on goals scored (three for the United States and one for England). The U.S. can still advance with a draw against Algeria if England loses to Slovenia or if England draws and the U.S. maintains an advantage in total goals scored.

The match against Slovenia on Friday (June 18) morning was the most-watched soccer game among households in the history of ESPN networks - 3,906,000, based on a 3.9 fast national rating for the two-hour contest (9:00 - 11 AM CT).

For live updates, news, photos and videos from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, visit the Chicago Fire's World Cup page .

FIRE HOST WATCH PARTIES ALL OVER TOWN FOR USA - ALGERIA MATCH ON WEDNESDAY The Chicago Fire will participate in World Cup viewing parties at a number of locations throughout the Chicagoland area for the United States vs. Algeria World Cup match on Wednesday, June 23 at 9:00 AM CT 2010 and the Mexico vs. Uruguay World Cup match on Tuesday, June 22 at 9:00 AM CT.

The Fire, in conjunction with Section 8 Chicago, will host the official Fire World Cup Watch party for the United States' crucial match against Algeria on Wednesday, June 23 at Union Park Lounge (228 S. Racine, Chicago, IL) at 8:00 AM CT. The Fire and Union Park Lounge will offer an all you can eat breakfast buffet and one (1) ticket to the Fire vs. Real Salt Lake "World Cup Night" Presented by Best Buy on Thursday, July 8 at TOYOTA PARK at 8:30 PM CT (ESPN2) for only $30. Doors open at 8 AM CT (9:00 AM CT kickoff) and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation.

With 30 High-Definition TVs, fans at Union Park Lounge will be able to watch both the U.S. vs. Algeria and England vs. Slovenia games at the same time, as all four Group C teams battle for a spot in the round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Please RSVP to Megan Melcher at 708-496-6751 by close of business Tuesday, June 22 to reserve your spot.

For a full list of locations, head to the Chicago Fire's World Cup page or click here .

FIRE TO HOST LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP MATCH AT TOYOTA PARK

The Chicago Fire will host a third round match of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at TOYOTA PARK on Tuesday, June 29 at 7:30 PM CT. The Fire will take on either the Carolina RailHawks or Charleston Battery in their quest for a fifth U.S. Open Cup title since 1998, the club's inaugural season.

The Fire enter 2010 as the undisputed kings of the modern era of the tournament, having hoisted the coveted Dewar Trophy four times - 1998, 2000, 2003 & 2006 - in just 12 years of play. The Fire has taken pride in competing in the U.S. Open Cup, and its results reflect that mindset. Since 1998, the Fire have racked up an impressive 25-8-2 record in Open Cup play, which has helped the squad reach the semifinal round on seven out of 12 occasions and the tournament's final five times. The 2006 title marked the ninth time a team from Chicago won the Open Cup and made the Fire one of five teams to capture the crown at least four times in the tournament's nearly century-long history.

Tickets for the Fire's third round U.S. Open Cup match went on sale today and are just $15 dollars for all seats at TOYOTA PARK. 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 are just $10 per ticket for groups of 15 or more. For tickets please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or head to the club's official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.

CHICAGO FIRE FORWARD BRIAN MCBRIDE TO VISIT CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Chicago Fire Forward Brian McBride, in conjunction with the Chicago Fire Foundation, will visit Children's Memorial Hospital on Thursday, June 24 at 4:00 PM CT to help spread joy to its patients. During his visit, Brian will donate a large World Cup Jabulani soccer ball and present the hospital a check on behalf of the Chicago Fire Foundation.

Since 1882, Children's Memorial Hospital has been guided by the belief that all children should be able to grow up in a protective and nurturing environment, where each child is given the opportunity to reach his or her potential. The Chicago Fire Foundation is currently accepting donations in support of Children's Memorial Hospital and is dedicated to enriching the quality of life of the Chicagoland community, particularly its youth. To donate in support of Children's Memorial Hospital click here or head to www.Chicago-Fire.com.

As a thank you, all who donate will receive a special ticket offer for Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake "World Cup Night" presented by Best Buy at TOYOTA PARK on Thursday, July 8 at 8:30 p.m. Once you donate, you will receive instructions on how to access this special ticket offer.

CHICAGO FIRE DRAW COLORADO RAPIDS 2-2

Marco Pappa notched two goals, but Conor Casey's stoppage time header canceled out the Fire midfielder's brace as the club played to a 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids at TOYOTA PARK.

The Fire (3-3-5, 14 points) earned their third draw of the season at TOYOTA PARK and fifth overall, as they tied the season series with the Rapids.

The Rapids got on the score sheet first. In the 21st minute Conor Casey fed Omar Cummings just inside the 18-yard box and the Jamaican international placed a well taken one-timer past Andrew Dykstra and into the back of the net to give Colorado a 1-0 lead.

The lead didn't last long, as Pappa tallied the first of his two goals just two minutes later. The Fire were awarded a free kick after Justin Mapp was chopped down at the edge of the penalty area. Husidic tapped the free kick and Pappa buried the ball past Rapids 'keeper Matt Pickens to tie the match after 23 minutes.

Pappa struck again as the first half came to a close. Brian McBride flicked on a Wilman Conde pass, finding an open Husidic inside the area. The Generation adidas product controlled the ball and sent a sick back heel pass to Pappa. The 22-year-old Guatemalan lashed a low, driven left-footed shot inside the far post for his fifth goal of the season.

Casey headed home Jamie Smith's cross late in stoppage time to deprive the Fire of a second consecutive home victory.

2010 SUPERLIGA SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

Major League Soccer and the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) unveiled the tournament schedule and all participating teams for the 2010 edition of SuperLiga. The fourth installment of the tournament - which features top U.S. and Mexican soccer clubs and awards the winner with one of the biggest purses in the region - will begin Wednesday, July 14, just three days following the conclusion of this summer's FIFA World Cup.

For the 2010 edition of SuperLiga, competitive criteria determined which four teams would represent their respective leagues. Based on their 2009 regular season record, the top four MLS teams (who are not competing in the 2010-2011 CONCACAF Champions League) qualified for SuperLiga 2010: Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo and New England Revolution.

The four invited Mexican clubs participating in this edition of SuperLiga, based on combined points in the Apertura and Clausura 2009 (who are not competing in the 2010-2011 CONCACAF Champions League) are Monarcas Morelia, Pachuca, Puebla F.C. and Pumas UNAM.

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 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

FIRE IN THE NEWS

Watching U.S. play in World Cup nerve-wracking for Fire's McBride - Orrin Schwarz - The Daily Herald - June 17, 2010

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id388427&src154

Mexico's Blanco one for the ages - Charlie Corr - ESPNChicago.com - June 17, 2010 http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire/post/_/id/388/mexicos-blanco-one-for-the-ages

World Cup Soccer Catches Fire - Patrick Elwood - MyFoxChicago.com - June 16, 2010

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/sports/world-cup-soccer-chicago-fire-06162010

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

Swiss Shocker - June 16, 2010

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

World Cup Draws, A Synopsis - June 15, 2010

http://chicagofiresoccer.blogspot.com/2010/06/crandall-group-g-recap-and-world-cup.html

Profe's Chile - June 15, 2010

http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/06/profe%E2%80%99s-chile

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 .

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from June 21, 2010


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