MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update

Published on August 5, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


Back in Action

After a weekend that saw Chicago's Chris Armas, DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra, Dema Kovalenko, and Josh Wolff participate in the Pepsi MLS All-Star weekend, the Fire returns to MLS action as the featured "Soccer Saturday" match against bitter rival the Dallas Burn on Saturday, August 10 at 3:00 p.m., live on ESPN2 from the Cotton Bowl. The rivalry continues as the Fire looks to defend the Brimstone Cup, which it won last season after compiling a better head-to-head record against the Burn in all competitions with a 3-1-2 advantage. Dallas currently holds the advantage in the Brimstone Cup with a 3-1 win on June 15 at Cardinal Stadium.

Dallas and Chicago have been involved in one of the most intense rivalries in MLS history. The regular season series leans towards the Fire at 8-6-1 (6-1-1 at home, 2-5-1 at the Cotton Bowl). Overall the two teams have met 23 times with the Fire holding a 13-8-2 all-time mark over the Burn including the elimination of Dallas in the 2001 MLS Cup Playoffs. Burn All-Stars Jason Kreis and Ryan Suarez will lead the rejuvenated Burn (8-5-7, 31 points, second in the West) into battle this weekend. Kreis is the only player on both sides to play in all 23 contests between the rivals. The Fire (8-8-4, 28 points) sits in second-place in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind the MetroStars and tied with the Columbus Crew.

The Fire will return to Cardinal Stadium at North Central College on Wednesday, August 14 against the Kansas City Wizards, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets to the Fire's game vs. the Wizards or any other home game can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 312-559-1212 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also by purchased at the Cardinal Stadium Box Office, 455 S. Brainard in Naperville, Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For groups of 15 or more, please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE.

Carlos Bocanegra "On Fire" Tonight on CLTV

The Chicago Fire's call-in show, Chicagoland Television's (CLTV) "SportsPage" with its new host Lou Canellis has returned to its Monday night slot. The show will air from 9:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will feature interviews with Fire players/coaches and calls from fans. Tonight's guest will be Fire All-Star defender Carlos Bocanegra, who just played in the Pepsi MLS All-Star Game at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. The number to call and ask questions is 630-575-8255. CLTV is Chicago's 24-hour cable news station.

Fire All-Stars Shine

Fire defender Carlos Bocanegra, and midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Dema Kovalenko all played in the Pepsi MLS All-Star Game last weekend at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. Bocanegra and Kovalenko helped lead the MLS All-Stars to a 3-2 win over Beasley and the U.S. National Team in a game celebrating soccer in America. Beasley did record an assist on the first goal of the game with Colorado midfielder Chris Henderson on San Jose's Landon Donovan's goal. The teams splashed around the drenched field in front of an entertained 31,096 fans at the rain soaked stadium. Wolff did not see action in the game as he was nursing a left foot contusion. Injured Fire midfielder Chris Armas was named honorary captain for the U.S. and was seated on the bench next to head coach Bruce Arena and his assistant, Fire head coach Bob Bradley. Photos from the weekend's activities can bee seen by visiting http://www.chicgao-fire.com/pressbox/photogallery/photos.asp?id=18

Looking to Break a Record

The Chicago Fire and the FireWorks For Kids Foundation have teamed up with the National Safety Council and Edys Ice Cream to present the Juggling For Safety and Health World Record Breaking Attempt. Prior to the Chicago Fire game on August 24, 2002, at Cardinal Stadium against the New England Revolution, join more than 1,000 people in an attempt to break the world record for the most number of people consecutively juggling soccer balls for 10 seconds. The current record is 443 people. For more information, visit: http://www.chicago-fire.com/community/juggling.asp

Frank Klopas Celebrity Golf Outing Around the Corner

The FireWorks for Kids Foundation announces the second annual Frank Klopas Celebrity Pro AM Golf Outing scheduled for September 17 at Cinder Ridge Golf Course in Wilmington, Illinois. Participation is limited to 36 foursomes so sign up today! Proceeds will benefit the FireWorks for Kids Foundation. For more information, visit: http://www.chicago-fire.com/community/klopas.asp

Etc.

* Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton is currently riding a season-high 237-minute scoreless streak. Thornton has only allowed one goal in the last 380 minutes.

* Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley has suffered a team-high 48 fouls suffered in 11 games for an average of 4.4fouls a game. Ante Razov and Jesse Marsch are second on the team with 36.

* The Fire has earned a record of 7-2-3 against the Eastern Conference, best record within a conference in MLS. Chicago has a 1-6-1 mark against the West with its only win coming against the Colorado Rapids on July 7 in a 2-1 overtime contest.

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