MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire to Take on NSC Minnesota Stars During World Cup Break

Published on June 14, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


As Major League Soccer holds its first-ever World Cup break, the Chicago Fire will continue their preparation for MLS play when they take on NSC Minnesota Stars for a friendly match at the National Sports Center Stadium on Sunday, June 20 at 5:00 PM.

The NSC Minnesota Stars were founded in 2010 and play in the USSF Division 2 Pro League. The Stars are coached by former Fire midfielder Manny Lagos, who appeared 10 times with the Fire from 1998-99.

The Fire match will mark the first time an MLS team has played at the National Sports Center (NSC) since June 2009, when the Minnesota Thunder played the Kansas City Wizards. It is also the first time the NSC Minnesota Stars will play against an MLS opponent.

The match against the Minnesota Stars marks the second time in 2010 that the Fire will play a USSF Div 2 side, during the 2010 Preseason the Fire defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 in an exhibition match in Phoenix, AZ.

Ticket information for the Chicago Fire vs. Minnesota Stars match is available online at www.nscminnesota.org or by contacting Rich Zellmer at 763.792.7346.

MIDFIELDER CLINT DEMPSEY GIVES USA 1-1 TIE AGAINST ENGLAND

Opening their 2010 World Cup participation, the United States Men's National Soccer Team tied one-time World Cup champion England, 1-1, this past Saturday at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa.

England would take the lead early in the game, as forward Emile Heskey assisted teammate Steven Gerrard to go one-on-one with U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard. Gerrard then slotted the ball past Howard, capitalizing for the English, 1-0, in the fourth minute of play.

Thirty-six minutes later, U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey equalized with a long-range shot and the complicity of England goalkeeper Robert Green, as Dempsey's effort deflected off the Englishman's hands and into the back of the net. With his goal, Dempsey became only the second American after current Fire striker Brian McBride to score in two World Cups.

For live updates, news, photos and videos of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, visit the Chicago Fire's World Cup site .

2010 WORLD CUP HOST SOUTH AFRICA DRAWS MEXICO IN INAUGURAL MATCH

Hosting the first-ever World Cup on the African continent, South Africa opened the world's biggest sporting event last Friday as they tied with Mexico, 1-1, at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa.

After a scoreless first half, midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the score for the Bafana Bafana in the 55th minute of play. Tshabalala received the ball in the left side; he then dribbled the ball until the top left of the box and rocketed a powerful shot past onrushing Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez.

Trailing 1-0, Mexico would tie the game in the 79th minute. After former Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco played a short corner-kick to Andres Guardado, the latter crossed the ball from the left side, finding defender Rafael Marquez, who struck the ball to tie the game 1-1.

For live updates, news, photos and videos of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, visit the Chicago Fire's World Cup site .

USA-ENGLAND MOST VIEWED FIRST ROUND FIFA WORLD CUP MATCH EVER

The U.S. Men's National Team's highly anticipated opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup against England on ABC was the most viewed World Cup first round match and fifth most-viewed World Cup match ever in the United States. The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was the most watched U.S. MNT match since 1994.

The two-hour match window averaged a 7.3 household rating (8,391,000 households and 12,956,000 viewers) based on fast nationals. The three-hour telecast, which included one hour of pre-match coverage, delivered a 6.1 household rating (7,034,000 households, and 10,763,000 viewers). In addition, 3.8 million watched the Spanish-language broadcast on Univision.

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. Casey's 92nd minute equalizer sends the Fire into the first-ever MLS World Cup recess riding a four-game unbeaten streak.

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 p.m.

Saturday, July 17

Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, IL) - 6:00 p.m.

Monarcas Morelia vs. Pumas UNAM (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, IL) - 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 20

Chicago Fire vs. Pumas UNAM (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, IL) - 8:30 p.m.

FIRE IN THE NEWS

Fire lose lead and settle for 2-2 tie - Jack McCarthy - Chicago Tribune - June 10, 2010

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-spt-0610-fire-chicago--20100609,0,3541132.story

Fire 2, Rapids 2: Pappa's 2 goals wasted in tie - Len Ziehm - Chicago Sun-Times - June 10, 2010 http://www.suntimes.com/sports/soccer/fire/2376972,CST-SPT-fire10.article

Win eludes Fire in closing minutes - Charlie Corr - ESPNChicago.com - June 10, 2010 http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire/post/_/id/374/win-eludes-fire-in-closing-minutes

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

The World Cup Weekend - June 14, 2010

http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/06/world-cup-weekend

The Day Has Come - June 12, 2010

http://chicagofiresoccer.blogspot.com/2010/06/crandall-day-has-come.html

Six Point Break - June 8, 2010

http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/06/6-point-break

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 .

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