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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Notes

October 27, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO FIRE TRAVEL TO NEW ENGLAND TO OPEN PLAYOFFS

The Chicago Fire will open 2008 MLS Cup playoffs against the New England Revolution this Thursday, Oct. 30, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes with coverage of the match beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Eastern Conference Semifinal series is a two-game, aggregate-goals series. Game two of the semifinal series will be played at TOYOTA PARK, on Thursday, Nov. 6 (ESPN2/ESPN Deportes, 7:30 p.m.). Tickets for the Fire's playoff game are on sale now through all Ticketmaster outlets, including ticketmaster.com, at the TOYOTA PARK box office, by calling 888-MLS-FIRE, or by visiting www.chicago-fire.com.

The Fire and Revolution meet in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and the sixth time in seven seasons. The Revolution have defeated Chicago four times in the playoffs and in each of the last three seasons, New England has topped the Fire to advance to MLS Cup.

ROLFE EARNS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

Chicago Fire forward Chris Rolfe was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 31, the final week of the 2008 regular season. Rolfe scored three goals and added two assists in the Chicago Fire's 5-2 dismantling of the New York Red Bulls. Rolfe's first-half hat trick was the fifth in team history. The win gave the Fire (13-10-7, 46 points) the second seed in the East and home field advantage for their Eastern Conference Semifinal series with the New England Revolution. Rolfe has also been nominated for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week for his goal in the 38th minute of play. Fans can vote for Rolfe's goal by visiting www.mlsnet.com/sights/goal_of_the_week/.

FIRE ANNOUNCE 2008 AWARDS RECIPIENTS

Chicago Fire Soccer is proud to announce the 2008 Chicago Fire year-end awards for Fire Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, Golden Boot, and the USSF Humanitarian of the Year. Goalkeeper Jon Busch earned 2008 Chicago Fire Most Valuable Player after starting and playing 90 min. in every MLS match this season. Busch posted the best saves percentage in the league (78.2) with 122 saves on 156 shots faced. His 10 shutouts, tied for most in the league also tie a Fire single season shutout record. He has the second lowest goals-against average (1.1) in the league, and in team history. With nine goals and seven assists, Chris Rolfe garnered Fire Golden Boot honors. Bakary Soumare played all but six minutes through 28 games this season, missing action only for yellow card accumulation. Soumare was named Fire Defender of the Year.

FIRE ACADEMY RESUMES NEXT TUESDAY

The Chicago Fire Academy will resume training next Tuesday, Nov. 4 at the TOYOTA PARK practice facility (6:30 p.m.). The Academy will be training on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays in advance of their first competitions on Nov. 15 and 16 at TOYOTA PARK against the Derby County Wolves and Vardar. For more information about the Chicago Fire Academy, visit http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/t100/youth/.

2009 NEW SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS

Chicago Fire 2009 Season Tickets are now on sale. With a deposit of $200 on new season tickets, individuals will receive one free Cuauhtémoc Blanco autographed picture and one free $50 Best Buy Gift Card. Call 1-888-MLS-Fire for more information.

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 27, 2008


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