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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Shift Preseason Camp to Charleston for Carolina Challenge Cup

February 28, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire shift its preseason camp to Charleston, S.C. on Wednesday, March 2, where the club will train for roughly two weeks and play three matches in the Carolina Challenge Cup. The Fire take on Toronto FC on Saturday, March 5 at 4 PM CT, before matching up against D.C. United March 9 and closing out the tournament against host club Charleston Battery March 12. In addition, the club will scrimmage with UNC Greensboro on Sunday, March 6 at Charleston Southern University at noon CT.

The Men in Red returned to Chicago late Saturday evening having completed the Florida phase of the club's 2011 preseason camp. The first two stages of preseason have served valuable as Carlos de los Cobos and the Fire Technical staff had the opportunity to evaluate talent and build camaraderie amongst the new-look Fire squad before the club begins its 2011 MLS campaign on first kick weekend against Brimstone Cup rivals FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, March 19 at 7:30 PM CT (TeleFutura).

The Fire fared well in its first preseason tests against MLS opponents, matching the likes of Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez in a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls in Fort Lauderdale. Trialing striker Orr Barouch impressed in the reserve match, scoring four goals in a 4-2 victory against the Red Bulls to start the day. De los Cobos' side continued its progression toward MLS league action in an evenly matched contest against Seattle Sounders FC to close the trip. The 120 minute scrimmage featured 26 players and was deadlocked at 0-0 until Sounders FC trialist Servando Carrasco snuck a goal past Fire trialist Alec Dufty to steal the scrimmage 1-0.

The Fire released MLS SuperDraft selection Jason Herrick and trialists Shane Clark, Nabil Taider and Kwame Obeng Darko - who was only in Fire camp for the double header on Wednesday. The club currently has 31 players in camp, including 21 signed players, one unsigned draft pick (Davis Paul) and nine foreign and domestic trialists.

CHICAGO FIRE TO HOST DEFENDING MLS CUP CHAMPS IN LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP QUALIFYING

The Chicago Fire won a coin flip with the Colorado Rapids for the right to host the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Qualifying. The Fire will coordinate with the reigning MLS Cup Champion Rapids to determine the date, time and location of the match, which will be played sometime before the end of April.

USOC results determined Monday (first team listed will host, seeding in parenthesis):

Game A: (10) Portland Timbers vs. (8) Chivas USA

Game B: (9) D.C. United vs. (7) Philadelphia Union

Game C: (2) San Jose Earthquakes vs. Game A winner

Game D: Game B winner vs. (6) New England Revolution

Game E: (4) Chicago Fire vs. (1) Colorado Rapids

Game F: (5) Houston Dynamo vs. (4) Sporting Kansas City

Game G: Game C winner vs. Game E winner

Game H: Game F winner vs. Game D winner

TICKETS AND TABLES STILL AVAILABLE FOR CHICAGO FIRE SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON

The Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, will hold the 13th annual Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon presented by Ticketmaster on Monday, March 14 at 11 AM CT at the Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 E. Wacker Dr. Chicago IL 60601). Renowned Chicago meteorologist Amy Freeze will serve as the emcee for the annual event.

Tickets for the 2011 Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon start at just $75 a person and $700 for a table. The first 20 full paid tables get the opportunity to sit with a Fire player. Tickets are available by calling 708-496-6740 or by heading to Chicago-Fire.com.

The annual event, which supports the Chicago Fire Foundation, offers Fire supporters the first opportunity to meet the 2011 Chicago Fire team and raise funds in the name of charity. In addition to interacting with Fire players, coaches and technical staff, the event includes a reception, formal lunch and silent auction, where attendees can bid on Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates, player worn gear and much more. All proceeds benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation.

CHECK OUT THE FIRE'S 2011 MLS SCHEDULE

The 2011 Chicago Fire schedule is out and the Fire are slated to appear in a total of 12 nationally televised broadcasts throughout its 14th season of MLS play. The Men in Red will play each of the other 17 clubs once at home, once away for a balanced, 34-game season. The Fire's full schedule can be seen at www.Chicago-Fire.com/schedule.

The Fire host Opening Day at TOYOTA PARK against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 26 at 3:00 PM CT live on TeleFutura. 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 .

SCOOP UP SINGLE GAME TICKETS NOW

Chicago Fire single game tickets went on sale Monday, Feb. 14 at 10 AM CT and can be purchased by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com or by clicking here .

To commemorate the Fire's founding and mark the 140th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Men in Red will hold their 14th Anniversary Match at TOYOTA PARK on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 8:00 PM CT against MLS Cup runners-up FC Dallas. The anniversary match, annually held on Oct. 8, was pushed back four days due to FIFA fixed competition dates on Oct. 7-11.

Highlights for the 2011 campaign include when Carlos de los Cobos' men welcome Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Juan Pablo Angel and the LA Galaxy for the second match of the season at TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 PM CT (TeleFutura) and when long-time Eastern Conference rivals New York Red Bull visit TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, June 26 at 1 PM CT (ESPN/ESPN Deportes). Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and the New York side witnessed 21,868 Fire faithful, the largest crowd in TOYOTA PARK history, when the two clubs clashed Aug. 8 of 2010.

FIRE PRESEASON GAME SCHEDULE

March 5: Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC (4:00 PM) - Carolina Challenge Cup, Charleston, SC

March 6: Chicago Fire vs. UNC-Greensboro (noon) - Charleston Southern University, Charleston, SC

March 9: Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United (4:00 PM) - Carolina Challenge Cup, Charleston, SC

March 12: Chicago Fire vs. Charleston Battery (6:15 PM) - Carolina Challenge Cup, Charleston, SC

(All times central)

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from February 28, 2011


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