MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update: Leagues Cup 2023 Preview, ASG Recap & More

July 24, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


IT'S LEAGUES CUP WEEK!

For the second time in franchise history, Chicago Fire FC will be participating in the highly anticipated Leagues Cup 2023 tournament. Comprising 47 teams, three countries, and two leagues, the Leagues Cup is set to be one of the most exciting competitions of the 2023 season. Featuring all 29 MLS teams and Liga MX's 18, it'll be a tournament of bragging rights to see who is the best of the best in North America.

The Fire are starting Leagues Cup play on Thursday, July 27 when they head to the Land of 10,000 Lakes and face Eastern Conference foe Minnesota United FC in their tournament opener. The match is set to take place at Allianz Field at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Just four days later, the Fire will host Liga MX side Club Puebla in the second leg of group stage play. The contest will be hosted at SeatGeek Stadium on Monday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m. CT. There is a fun tie between these two sides - with both Chicago Fire FC and Club Puebla sharing a star alumnus - DaMarcus Beasley. Beasley played with the Fire from 2000-2004, with the American legend making appearances for Puebla from 2011-2014.

This week, the Fire will train at SeatGeek Stadium and the first 15 minutes of each session will be open to the media, with interviews with coaches and players occurring directly afterward. Media members interested in attending must RSVP and share any interview requests with Elizabeth Sánchez at esanchez@chicagofirefc.com at least 24 hours in advance of the training session they plan to attend. (Full schedule below).

KEI AT THE ASG!

Fire forward and team-leading goal scorer Kei Kamara recently represented Chicago Fire FC at the 2023 MLS All-Star Game - where he was selected by Commissioner Don Garber as the Commissioner's Pick. It was the second MLS All-Star inclusion for Kamara, who was a member of the 2015 MLS All-Star Game.

Coming into the match in 65th minute of play, the striker logged 25 minutes of action in the loss against Premier League side, Arsenal. He was the first Fire player to be named to an All-Star roster since Bastian Schweinsteiger's selection to the 2019 MLS All-Star Team.

During his time in the nation's capital, Kamara sat down with Digital Host Megan O'Keefe to discuss what it meant to him to represent Chicago at the All-Star Game. Additionally, Kamara was able to spend time at the White House when he took part in a soccer clinic on the West Lawn, hosted by First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden and the President of the United States, Joe Biden.

MICHAEL NESCI ALSO REPS FIRE AT THE ASG!

Chicago Fire FC II also had a representative at the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, with academy standout Michael Nesci being selected to represent the Fire in Washington D.C.

The young Chicago product has been a fixture as a member of the Chicago Fire Academy, making multiple starts for the U-17 roster, and even earning himself a spot on Chicago Fire FC II. As a member of the MLS NEXT Pro side, the rising star has even scored his first professional goal for CFII.

Nesci, 17, was a starter for the Eastern Conference MLS NEXT All-Stars, and impressed many at the event which took place at the Naval Academy's Glenn Warner Soccer Facility in Annapolis, Md., on Wednesday, July 19.

Congratulations to Michael on his extraordinary experience representing the Fire!

SPECIAL OLYMPIANS REPRESENT FIRE IN WASHINGTON D.C.!

Chicago Fire FC had two representatives at the 2023 Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Game!

Last week, members of the Chicago Fire FC Special Olympics roster, Jakob Bakowski and Landon Kirksey were two of the 52 Unified team members who competed in a competitive match that took place Naval Academy's Glenn Warner Soccer Facility in Annapolis, Md. The teams were built of players with intellectual disabilities (Special Olympics athletes) and without intellectual disabilities (Unified partners).

The Western Conference side, which featured the two Chicago representatives, captured a 4-2 victory to win the event!

Congratulations to Jakob and Landon on their All-Star bid and victory!

THE NEWEST INTERCONTINENTAL FOOTBALL SHOW

EPISODE is here!

Tyler Terens is back with another episode of your favorite Chicago Fire FC podcast!

In the latest episode, Tyler breaks down the recent run for Chicago Fire FC, including the three home victories in a single week that catapulted the Fire to a playoff position. On top of that, Tyler previews the exciting summer ahead for the Fire, as well as a Leagues Cup preview, and more from around Major League Soccer!

The Intercontinental Football Show is presented by Chicago's own Revolution Brewing, maker of Chicago Fire FC craft beer Hazy Pitch. Click the links below to listen now on your favorite platform!

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from July 24, 2023


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