MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update

April 26, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


Weekend Win Sets Up Fight for First With MetroStars

It took more than seven halves of soccer, but the wait for the Chicago Fire's first goal of its 2004 MLS campaign was well worth it as forward Damani Ralph's 57th minute strike, combined with goalkeeper Henry Ring's third shutout in four League games, gave the Fire a 1-0 victory at D.C. United last Saturday. The result pushed the Fire's record to 1-1-2 (5 pts.) and set up a familiar situation from the first half of last season - a first-place battle with the MetroStars (2-0-1, 7 pts.), which will take place this Saturday, May 1 at New Solider Field at 7:30 p.m. CT.

The Fire continued its domination over the MetroStars in 2003, using its 3-0-1 record during the regular season to improve its overall mark against its Eastern Conference archrival to 11-4-1. The Fire went 1-0-1 in a pair of contests in Chicagoland last season, both of which were held at Naperville's Cardinal Stadium. Chicago used an Ante Razov golden goal to ruin former Head Coach Bob Bradley's return to Chicago and gain a 2-1 win on June 14, while the Metros' Steve Jolley tallied four minutes from time to earn a 1-1 draw on Aug. 9. The Fire also got the better of the MetroStars on Oct. 15, 2003 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, as Damani Ralph knocked home a second half tally to boost the "Men in Red" to a 1-0 victory at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. With the win, the Fire became the first team in the MLS-era to win the Dewar Trophy on the road and brought its third U.S. Open Cup title in just six seasons back to Chicago.

Fire to Host Third Annual Polish Heritage Day on Saturday

For the third consecutive year, the Fire will host its annual Polish Heritage Day this Saturday, May 1 in conjunction with Chicago's 2004 May 3rd Polish Constitution Day Parade and the Fire's home match at New Soldier Field against the MetroStars. Fans and participants are encouraged to arrive at Soldier Field immediately after the Parade (on Columbus Drive) to attend the official post-parade party beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT. The 2004 Polish Heritage Day event is steering towards more of a Polish Music Festival to truly celebrate the Polish Constitution Day. The musical stage for this event has been organized by SWS (Stowarzyszenie Wiecznych Studentów) and includes the following bands: Dizel, K.W.A., Mlynn, Vesolovsky and the headlining band Chlopcy z Placu Broni. The Polish Heritage Day event will culminate with festivities that will take place during the Fire-MetroStars match, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Participants are encouraged to arrive early and park at the Soldier Field North Parking lot (near the parade's route) and enjoy a short walk through Chicago's beautiful Museum Campus to Columbus Drive. Spectators who prefer not to walk or those who will be accompanying small children will be able to take advantage of free shuttles sponsored by the Chicago Fire. The shuttles will be running non-stop to the parade route and back to Soldier Field from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. For more information on the event, please call Greg Zaskowski in the Chicago Fire office at 312-705-7235.

Chicago Fire ACE/Tru-Fit Injury Report

Marsch, Jesse -- R ankle cartilage damage -- out
Perez, Orlando -- lower back pain -- out
Razov, Ante -- R groin strain -- questionable
Whitfield, Evan -- R lower leg contusion -- questionable

Armas and Beasley Join U.S. Squad for Renewal of Rivalry Against Mexico

The latest chapter of the most heated rivalry in the CONCACAF region will be written this Wednesday, Apr. 28 when the U.S. and Mexican National Teams square off in Dallas, TX, and two members of the Chicago Fire - midfielders Chris Armas and DaMarcus Beasley - figure to play a large role in the proceedings for the American side. Armas and Beasley departed Washington, D.C. on Sunday morning to join U.S. Head Coach Bruce Arena's 18-man squad in Dallas for Wednesday's match, which will take place at The Cotton Bowl at 7:30 p.m. CT (live on Fox Sports World, Telemundo, HDNet). Armas has earned 53 caps for the "Stars-and-Stripes," with his last appearance coming on Feb. 18 at the Netherlands in a 1-0 loss to the European powers. Beasley scored his fourth international goal and earned his second Chevrolet "Man of the Match" honor of 2004 in his last appearance for Arena's side, a 1-0 victory at Poland on Mar. 31. The 21-year-old left flank speedster has already earned 30 caps for the U.S. Senior Team since making his debut in January of 2001.

Viewing Party for U.S.-Mexico to be Held at Ginger's Ale House

The Chicago Fire has announced that it will host a viewing party for Wednesday's U.S.-Mexico international friendly at Ginger's Ale House, located at 3801 N. Ashland in Chicago, beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT. Fans are invited to attend Gingers, which was named the "Best Soccer Bar in 2003" by voters at www.ussoccer.com, to root on Fire midfielders Chris Armas and DaMarcus Beasley in the latest chapter of what is growing to become one of the most heated rivalries in international soccer. Fire staff will be on hand to give away prizes and provide information on how fans can see both the "Men in Red" and the U.S. Men's National Team this upcoming summer at New Soldier Field.

Ralph and Williams Head Home to Jamaica for Friendly vs. Venezuela

Chris Armas and DaMarcus Beasley won't be the only "Men in Red" representing their country this week, as midfielder Andy Williams and forward Damani Ralph have arrived in their native Jamaica to prepare for the Reggae Boyz' friendly against Venezuela this Wednesday, Apr. 28 at the National Stadium in Kingston. Williams, a regular in the Jamaican line-up since 1998, has made 77 appearances for the Caribbean nation, while Ralph will be looking to make his fifth start for the Reggae Boyz on Wednesday.

Ralph Re-Signs With MLS, Fire

Forward Damani Ralph last week signed a new contract with Major League Soccer that will keep him as a member of the Fire for years to come. Per MLS policy, details of the agreement were not disclosed. During his rookie season, the University of Connecticut product scored an MLS rookie record 11 goals and added six assists - both good for second on the team - for 28 points, giving him the highest point total among MLS rookies in 2003 and the fifth highest single-season point total in Fire history. Ralph also found himself rewriting the MLS record books alongside forward Ante Razov, as the duo combined to set the League record for most consecutive games in which a pair of teammates tallied a goal after they each hit the back of the net in four straight games during a torrid stretch last June. The Kingston, Jamaica native's impressive play earned him more serious consideration as a regular on the Jamaican National Team, for whom he has earned four caps since making his debut against Grenada in August of 2002.

Monarcas Morelia Youth Development Players Blow Into Windy City

Four members of Youth Development Program of the Fire's Mexican League sister club, Monarcas Morelia, have arrived in Chicago for a weeklong training stint with the "Men in Red" and the A-League's Milwaukee Wave United. Defenders Alejandro Pliego and Hugo Magallon and midfielders Roberto Muñoz and Ignacio Carrasco will take part in Milwaukee Wave United's practice session today and return to Chicago tomorrow to train with the Fire on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Mexican contingent will head back to Milwaukee on Friday for Wave United's preseason exhibition game against UW-Milwaukee at 2:00 p.m. CT at Uihlein Soccer Park.

The training stint is part of the clubs' partnership, originally signed in October of 2002. During the past two seasons, the partnership has allowed the Fire and Monarcas an array of exchanges in the areas of youth player development, fan and community outreach, administrative support, cultural awareness and business opportunities. The teams have been particularly successful in the youth soccer sector, jointly developing and implementing innovative programs that have benefited Monarcas' "Fuerzas Basicas" (youth program) and the Chicago Fire Academy.

Training Table is Set as Fire Media Luncheons Return on Wednesday

The Chicago Fire will kick-off its weekly media luncheons, provided by Buona Beef, on Wednesday, Apr. 28 at 12:15 p.m., following the team's practice session at Lake Forest College. The media luncheons will be held every Wednesday - with the exception of the team's four Wednesday match-ups (July 14 @ New England, Aug. 18 vs. San Jose and Sept. 1 vs. DC) - for the remainder of the 2004 MLS regular season campaign. Players, coaches and team officials will be available to media at the weekly luncheons. For more information or for directions, please contact the Fire's Media Relations Department at 312-705-7200.

Chicago Fire Juniors to Hold Tryouts May 1-3

The Chicago Fire Youth Development Department has announced that tryouts for the Chicago Fire Juniors youth teams will be held at a pair of sites in Wheaton, IL - Hubble Middle School and Seven Gables Park - from Saturday, May 1 through Monday, May 3. After a successful start in 2003, the Chicago Fire Juniors are inviting young soccer players from throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana to be a part of the area's fastest growing club program. Tryouts will be held for boys from the U-8 to U-14 range and for girls ranging from the U-8 to U-19. Players and parents are asked to register at least 30 minutes in advance of their age group's tryout session. Should any of the dates be cancelled due to weather, the tryout will be held on the corresponding date the following weekend (May 8, 9 or 10). For more information and directions to the CFJ tryouts, please visit www.chicagofirejuniors.com or call the Chicago Fire Offices at 312-705-7200.

Saturday, May 1 at Hubble Middle School in Wheaton, IL (Rain-out date - May 8)
Boys U-13 @ 9:00 a.m. CT
Girls U-13 @ 10:30 a.m. CT
Boys U-14 @ 12:30 p.m. CT
Girls U-14 @ 2:00 p.m. CT

Sunday, May 2 at Hubble Middle School in Wheaton, IL (Rain-out date - May 9)
Girls U-15 & U-16 @ 5:00 p.m. CT
Girls U-17, U-18 & U-19 @ 7:00 p.m. CT

Monday, May 3 at Seven Gables Park in Wheaton, IL (Rain-out date - May 10)
Boys and Girls U-8, U-9 & U-10 @ 5:00 p.m. CT
Boys and Girls U-11 & U-12 @ 6:30 p.m. CT

Etc.

· The Fire's Mexican League sister team Monarcas Morelia suffered the worst loss of its 2004 Comex Clausura season by falling 6-0 at Santos Laguna yesterday at Corona Stadium in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. With the result, the "Monarchs" are now tied with Tigres for second place in Group Three, as both clubs share identical 5-7-4 records and currently sit on 19 points with just three games remaining in the spring season. Cruz Azul sits just one point behind both clubs in the group with a 5-8-3 record and 18 points. Morelia will return home this Saturday, May 1, when it hosts Atlante (4-6-6, 18 pts.) at Morelos Stadium in Morelia, Mexico at 6:00 p.m. CT (5:00 p.m. local).

· The Chicago Fire Reserves of the United Soccer League's Premier Development League is holding a second round of tryouts for its 2004 season this Saturday, May 1 at Moraine Valley Community College (10900 S. 88th Ave.) in Palos Hills, IL from 5:00-8:00 p.m. CT. There is a tryout fee of $50 per player. For more information on the tryouts, please contact the Fire Reserves by phone at 703-238-7060 or via email at tryouts@firereserves.com. More information is also available at the club's website, www.firereserves.com. The Reserves, who finished as the runner-up during the 2003 PDL season, will kick off their 2004 campaign at home against the Wisconsin Rebels on Saturday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. CT. The match will be played at St. Rita High School, located at 7740 S. Western Ave. in Chicago. The match between the two Heartland Division rivals will also serve as a qualifying match for the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament.

· The National Soccer Hall of Fame will host a press conference on Wednesday, May 5 at 2:30 p.m. CT at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA to announce the Hall of Fame's Class of 2004. Will Lunn, President/CEO of the Hall of Fame, will be among the soccer dignitaries in attendance for the announcement along with the 2004 Inductees. The 2004 Hall of Fame elections are historic because, it is anticipated, it will represent the first election to the Hall of Fame of an MLS player. Past Chicago Fire players Frank Klopas, Francis Okaroh, Mike Sorber and Eric Wynalda and former Chicago Sting legend Pato Margetic are candidates for the three eligible spots in this year's elections.

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