MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update

Published on February 17, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


Fire to Wrap Up Bradenton Camp Tomorrow

After one final practice this Wednesday morning, the Chicago Fire will end the first portion of its 2004 Spring Training, which kicked off Feb. 4 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. The Fire ended the competitive portion of the Bradenton camp this morning by losing 2-1 to the Kansas City Wizards, with the result bringing the club's preseason record to 1-3-2. The "Men in Red" will return to Chicago tomorrow evening for a brief respite in the Windy City before departing this Sunday, Feb. 22 for the second leg of the preseason, taking place in Rio Maior, Portugal. The trip will be the club's second visit to the host country of the Euro 2004 Championships in three years.

Fire Drops Final Preseason Match 2-1 to Kansas City

The Chicago Fire closed the competition portion of its first spring training camp with a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Wizards this morning at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Despite holding the better of the offensive chances in the 80-minute affair, Chicago was unable to achieve a favorable result and saw its preseason record fall to 1-3-2. The Wizards started the scoring in the 18th minute when forward Justin Detter gathered an Alex Zotinca cross near the top of the penalty area and took two touches before rifling a shot from 15 yards past Chicago goalkeeper Leo Zamaro to give the Wizards a 1-0 lead. Chicago would knot up the match at 1-1 in the 71st minute when forward Dipsy Selolwane scored his team-high third goal of the 2004 preseason. The play was created when midfielder Craig Capano, who received his first playing time of the exhibition season as a second-half substitute, sent in a corner kick that found the head of forward Nate Jaqua. Jaqua's header found the post, but the Botswanan international Selolwane pounced on the rebound from eight yards to even the match. The Fire would fail to hold on to the result though, as Kansas City would take the lead in the 78th minute when forward Matt Taylor beat the Fire defensive corps to a Francisco Gomez through ball and chipped Fire 'keeper Matt Pickens to finish the scoring.

Scoring Summary:
KC - Justin Detter (Alex Zotinca, Preki) 18
CHI - Dipsy Selolwane 3 (unassisted) 71
KC - Matt Taylor (Francisco Gomez) 78

Fire Lineup (4-4-2): GK-Leo Zamaro (Matt Pickens 41), D- Kelly Gray, D-C.J. Brown (Denny Clanton 41), D-Jim Curtin (Leonard Griffin 53), D-Evan Whitfield (Marco Velez 53), M-Ryan Futagaki (Craig Capano 53), M-Scott Buete, M-Sumed Ibrahim (Tony McManus 29), M-Ryan McGowan, F-Dipsy Selolwane, F-Nate Jaqua.

Wizards Lineup (3-5-2): GK-Tony Meola (Bo Oshoniyi 41), D-Jimmy Conrad (Taylor Graham 41), D-Diego Gutierrez (Jimmy Conrad 56), D-Nick Garcia (Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. 55), M-Alex Zotinca (Ryan Barber 41), M-Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. (Shavar Thomas 41), M-Jack Jewsbury (Sahfet Kovasevich 41), M-Jay Alberts (Chris Brunt 41), M-Preki (Francisco Gomez 41), F-Davy Arnaud (Wolde Harris 41), F-Justin Detter (Matt Taylor 41).

2004 Chicago Fire Preseason Schedule (Dates/Times subject to change)
Wednesday, Feb. 18: Training camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL ends; team returns to Chicago
Feb. 22 - Mar. 3: Overseas training in Rio Maior, Portugal (Exhibition matches TBD)
Mar. 7 - Mar. 15: Training Camp at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL (Exhibition matches TBD)
Wednesday, Mar. 17 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal at CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in Trinidad (Time TBD)
Mar. 18 - Mar. 23 Training in Chicago
Wednesday, Mar. 24 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal vs. CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh at Soldier Field (Time TBD)
Saturday, Mar. 27 Exhibition match vs. Dallas Burn in Jackson, MS (Time TBD)

Bridgeview Housewarming

In conjunction with the Village of Bridgeview, the Chicago Fire will be hosting a reception for the general public on Friday, Feb. 20 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Bridgeview's Sports Dome, located at 8900 S. 77th Avenue. Fire GM Peter Wilt, Head Coach Dave Sarachan, Fire players and other officials are expected to attend, as well as Village of Bridgeview Mayor Steve Landek and other Bridgeview and Chicago Southland dignitaries. The event will feature interactive games, food, music, an autograph session and a chance to win two season tickets for the Fire's upcoming season. In addition, the Fire will be selling tickets for the team's first home match on Wednesday, March 24 against Trinidad's San Juan Jabloteh, in the return leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals at New Soldier Field.

The event will be the first chance for the general public to welcome the Fire since the club, its parent company AEG and the Village of Bridgeview announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding last month to build a 20,000-25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in the Chicago Southland community.

Four "Men in Red" Get Friendly Tomorrow on FIFA International Match Day

Four members of the Chicago Fire will be busy representing their respective countries tomorrow in a pair of international friendlies taking place across the Atlantic from each other. Fire captain Chris Armas and midfielder DaMarcus Beasley were named last week by U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach Bruce Arena to the 22-man squad that has traveled to The Netherlands for the side's first-ever match at fourth-ranked Holland. The match, which marks the first road contest of the year for the U.S. Senior side, will kick off tomorrow from the Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam at 1:30 p.m. CT (live on ESPN2). In addition, midfielder Andy Williams and forward Damani Ralph have been training in Jamaica in preparation for the Reggae Boyz' match against Uruguay, which will kick off tomorrow at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica at 5:30 p.m. CT.

ESPN Zone to Host Viewing Party for Wednesday's U.S.-Holland Match

The Chicago Fire encourages all Chicagoland fans of U.S. Soccer to watch tomorrow's U.S.-Holland international friendly at the ESPN Zone, located at 43 E. Ohio St (corner of Ohio and Wabash) in downtown Chicago. The ESPN Zone will be featuring the international friendly, featuring the Fire's Chris Armas and DaMarcus Beasley and former Fire defender Carlos Bocanegra, on the biggest and best screen in town - a 16-foot, High Definition television located on the second level of the popular downtown destination. In addition, soccer fans will have the opportunity to win Fire merchandise and receive ticket information on the Fire's upcoming 2004 season at the new Soldier Field.

Chicago Fire Injury Report
Mapp, Justin - strained quadriceps - week-to-week
Marsch, Jesse - R ankle cartilage damage - out 12-16 weeks
Perez, Orlando - lower back pain - week-to-week
Ring, Henry - L labrum tear -week-to-week

Etc.

· The Fire's Mexican sister team, Monarcas Morelia, saw its losing streak reach three games last Saturday after dropping a hard-fought 1-0 affair to Group 4 leader CD Guadalajara (Chivas) at Morelos Stadium in Monarcas. After a slow start in Comex Clausura play, Morelia (0-3-2, 2 pts.) will attempt to capture its first victory of the spring season this Saturday, Feb. 21 on the road against Necaxa (1-2-2, 5 pts.) at Victoria Stadium in Mexico City at 8:30 p.m. CT.

· Fire General Manager Peter Wilt will take part in the Conrady Junior High Career Fair in Hickory Hills, IL next Tuesday, Feb. 24. Wilt will educate sixth-to-eighth grade students in the Chicago Southland community on what it takes to become a professional in the sports business and tell his own success story of how he rose through the ranks to lead Chicago's Major League Soccer club.

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from February 17, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central