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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update: St. Louis Doubleheader, Kei Reaches 400, Fire Legends Return to Chicago

May 8, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


For the third time in Chicago Fire FC history, it's Chicago vs. St. Louis in the U.S. Open Cup tournament.

Only this time, it's the first time against a St. Louis side that plays within Major League Soccer. A new rivalry is born this Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m. C.T., when Chicago Fire FC hosts St. Louis CITY SC in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament. The first matchup between Chicago and the League's newest expansion side will have plenty of importance as the Fire seek their fifth U.S. Open Cup title.

In the first-ever Chicago vs. St. Louis match, the Fire travelled to Missouri and took on Saint Louis FC of the USL Championship in the third round of the 2017 tournament. In their matchup, former Argentine forward Luis Soligno scored the lone goal of the match in the 27th minute to give Chicago a 1-0 victory on June 14, 2017 at Toyota Stadium in Fenton, Missouri. Two years later in their second matchup, Saint Louis FC would get the better of Chicago, defeating the Fire 2-1 in the 2019 edition of the tournament.

The Fire enter the match with the historic edge, boasting four championships in the tournament, tied for the most in competition history amongst MLS teams. They're tied with Sporting Kansas City and the Seattle Sounders for the most amongst MLS franchises.

Prior to the matches vs. St. Louis, 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).

TWO MATCHES IN ONE WEEK VS. ST. LOUIS!

Just four days after the two sides meet in Bridgeview, they'll face off at Soldier Field! For the first time in regular season history, Chicago Fire FC will play host to expansion side St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday, May 13 at 12 p.m. CT at Soldier Field.

So far this season, St. Louis is off to a very strong start to their inaugural season in MLS play. The Missouri side is currently (6-3-2, 20 points) and sitting tied at the top of the Western Conference. In their previous match, St. Louis drew a 0-0 stalemate against FC Dallas last Saturday, May 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. St. Louis is led by their dynamic duo of designated players, João Klauss and Eduard Löwen. Kluass currently leads the team in goals with five this season, while Löwen leads St. Louis with five assists of his own. The two have been instrumental to St. Louis CITY SC's success so far in their inaugural season.

Saturday's afternoon match will fall on the Club's annual Chicago Sports Day, which will feature special appearances from Fire alumni such as former Fire and U.S. Men's National Team star Brian McBride. Other Chicago teams will be represented as well, including current Bears cornerback Joshua Blackwell; former Bears linebacker and ESPN analyst Sam Acho, former Chicago Bulls shooting guard and NBC Sports Chicago analyst Kendall Gill, and many more!

Additionally, The National Anthem will be performed by longtime Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison, and fans will get to experience a Chicago-style game presentation, including the Bulls intro for the Starting XI, Blackhawks goal song "Chelsea Dagger," and Sound of Chicagoland storytelling "Go Cubs Go."

CHICAGO FIRE FC LOSES TO NASHVILLE SC ON THE ROAD

Chicago Fire FC travelled to the Music City and fell 3-0 to Nashville SC at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday night.

Highlighted by the 400th regular season appearance by veteran striker Kei Kamara, and a career high seven saves from Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady, the Fire dropped three points against a Nashville side that sits in third place in the Eastern Conference. Additionally, Saturday saw the first career start for U-22 signing Alonso Aceves and young forward Georgios Koutsias. Fabian Herbers also recorded his 100th career match in Chicago after appearing in Ezra Hendrickson's starting lineup.

A hat trick from Nashville midfielder Hany Mukhtar lifted Nashville over Chicago on the scoresheet in their first match of the season against the Tennessee side. The Fire will seek revenge later this season when they host Nashville on Saturday, July 8 at Soldier Field.

The Fire resume their busy start to May this Tuesday when the Club hosts newest expansion side, St. Louis CITY SC in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 9 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. The match will serve as Chicago's first match against St. Louis since their arrival to MLS earlier this season.

400 MLS REGULAR SEASON APPEARANCES FOR KEI KAMARA!

Chicago Fire FC striker and MLS legend Kei Kamara reached a very impressive milestone on Saturday night.

After coming in as a substitute in the 63rd minute of the match, Kamara recorded his 400th career Major League Soccer regular season appearance. With his appearance, he became the seventh player in league history to reach the historic mark.

Kamara, now in his 16th season, holds the third-most goals in MLS history, and currently has the most goals in League history among all active players. Additionally, he is one of 10 players in MLS history and the only active player to have scored more than 100 regular season goals in his career. On top of that, Kamara has played his 400 regular season games for an MLS-record 10 teams, the most for any one player in league history.

Congratulations on 400 matches, Kei!

CHICAGO FIRE FC LEGENDS RETURN TO THE WINDY CITY!

Club alumni Jesse Marsch and Chris Armas will be in attendance at the team's 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against St. Louis CITY SC this Tuesday!

The 2023 tournament marks the 20th Anniversary of the Club's 2003 Cup win, and members of the Fire's 2003 team, including Marsch and Armas, will be recognized at the match at halftime, along with the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Trophy. Additionally, Marsch and Armas will participate in a pre-match panel and meet-and-greet with Chicago Fire Season Ticket Members, who will also have the opportunity to be photographed with the 2003 U.S. Open Cup Trophy.

Marsch and Armas were both instrumental in the 2003 U.S. Open Cup run for the Fire - along with current Chicago Fire Assistant Coach C.J. Brown, Goalkeeper Coach Zach Thornton, and Vice President of Equity, Alumni Relations and Engagement Evan Whitfield - who defeated the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in the final.

Marsch spent eight seasons with the Chicago Fire from 1998-2005, helping the Club win the 1998 MLS Cup and three U.S. Open Cups in 1998, 2000 and 2003. He also played professionally for D.C. United and Chivas USA and received two caps with the United States Men's National Team. Following his playing career, Marsch served as head coach for the Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls, followed by stints as head coach with RB Leipzig of the Bundesliga and most recently with Leads United of the English Premier League.

Armas spent 10 seasons with the Chicago Fire, from 1998-2007, helping the club win the 1998 MLS Cup and four U.S. Open Cups in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. He played internationally for both Puerto Rico and the United States, earning 66 caps. Armas served as head coach for the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC and served as an assistant coach with both Manchester United and Leeds United of the English Premier League. Armas also played for the Los Angeles Galaxy, where he was drafted in the first round of the MLS Supplemental Draft in 1996.

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