MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Notes

Published on May 27, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


TIED FOR FIRST

After their 5-1 win over the Red Bulls on Sunday, The Chicago Fire (6-2-1, 19 pts.) are now tied for first place in the Eastern Conference and in the league with Columbus (6-2-1, 19 pts.) and New England (6-3-1, 19 pts.). Chicago will have a game in hand over Columbus and two games in hand over New England after this weekend's results.

BYE WEEK

The Fire are entering a bye week from MLS play and due to the cancellation of the May 31 international friendly versus Jagiellonia, will not have a game this week. Chicago will return to action on Saturday, June 7, hosting D.C. United at TOYOTA PARK (7:30 p.m. CT, Fox Soccer Channel).

BLANCO PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Chicago Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco was voted the MLS Player of the Week for Week 9 for his 1 goal, 3 assist effort in a 5-1 win over the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium on Sunday. This is the first Player of the Week award for Blanco. Blanco helped Chicago get on the board early by sending a ball over the top to Chad Barrett for the game's first goal in the 8th minute, and assisted on a Chris Rolfe header to go up 2-0 in the 48th minute. Blanco then converted a 55th minute penalty kick and assisted on Barrett's second goal in the 60th minute to lead the team.

CHICAGO FIRE WEEKLY AGENDA

** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6726 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.

Tuesday, May 27 OFF

Wednesday, May 28 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:00 a.m

Thursday, May 39 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:00 a.m

Friday, May 30 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:00 a.m

Saturday, May 31 OFF

Sunday, June 1 OFF

Monday, June 2 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:00 a.m.

CHICAGO FIRE/ATHLETICO "RECOVERY ROOM" :: MAY 27

PROBABLE

John Thorrington - Back Spasms

QUESTIONABLE - none

DOUBTFUL - none

OUT

Patrick Nyarko - R Hip Strain

LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP OPPONENT TO BE DECIDED TUESDAY

The Fire will know their opponent for their June 10 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in game tonight, as they will face the winner of the Real Salt Lake - Columbus Crew play-in game this evening at Crew Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT. Chicago will play the winner on Tuesday, June 10, at Bradley University's Shea Stadium in Peoria, Ill., with kick-off for the game set for 7:00 p.m. CT. The winner of the June 10 game advances into the round of 16.

NEXT UP: CHICAGO FIRE VS. D.C. UNITED

The Chicago Fire will face D.C. United for the second of three regular season meetings on Saturday, June 7, at TOYOTA PARK. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel, and will be on Chicagoland radio station WRTO 1200-AM (Spanish).

The clubs will meet for the 33rd time in the regular season, with the Fire holding a slight lead over United in all-time series with a 13-12-7 mark. Chicago is 3-2-3 in their last 8 regular season games against United, with D.C. taking the 2007 series 1-0-2 (1-3 L @ DC 6/16/07, 1-1 T vs. DC 9/23/07, 0-0 T @ DC 10/13/07)

CHICAGO FIRE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY PROGRAM CONTINUES

The Chicago Fire School Assembly program, sponsored by Walgreens, continues for a final week as Brian Plotkin visits Owen Elementary, located at 1560 Westglen, in Naperville, Ill., on Tuesday, May 27, from 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. CT. On Thursday, May 29, Chris Rolfe and Stephen King will attend the final school assembly of the season at John F. Eberhart, located at 3400 W. 65th Place, in Chicago, from 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. CT.




Major League Soccer Stories from May 27, 2008


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