MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update

Published on September 20, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


Blast from the Past: Fire Meets Wizards in Second Cup Battle this Wednesday

Almost four years after meeting in a Cup battle, the Chicago Fire and Kansas City Wizards are spellbound again, this time in the 2004 edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. CT from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. For the second consecutive year, the "Men in Red" will take to the road for the title game, as Dave Sarachan's squad will attempt to defend its crown after capturing its third U.S. Open Cup last October at Giants Stadium against the MetroStars. Wednesday's encounter will be broadcast live on GolTV (see below for more information), and an audio broadcast will be available on the club's official website, www.Chicago-Fire.com . The Fire and Wizards battled it out at MLS Cup 2000, with Kansas City winning the league title by a 1-0 margin at RFK Stadium in Washington DC. The three-time Open Cup champion Fire is looking to become the first repeat champion in the competition since the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms accomplished the feat in 1982-83.

Despite its short seven-year history in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament, the Fire has amassed a rich tradition in the country's oldest knockout soccer competition, and has a dominating 18-3-1 Cup record and three championship rings to prove it. The Fire is the only top-flight squad to lift the Dewar Cup trophy on multiple occasions. On Oct. 30, 1998, the team stunned the league and became the second team in MLS history to win "The Double" (both the Open Cup and MLS championships) with a 2-1 overtime win over the Columbus Crew. After losing in the third round of the tournament in 1999, the team reclaimed the championship with an exciting 2-1 victory over the Miami Fusion at Soldier Field on Oct. 20, 2000. The Fire made its return to the tournament's championship last fall, making history by becoming the first team in the MLS-era of the competition to win the Cup on the road by defeating the MetroStars 1-0 at Giants Stadium on Oct. 15, 2003.

U.S. Open Cup Final on GolTV

After reaching an agreement with U.S. Soccer, GolTV has announced that it will televise the 2004 and 2005 editions of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, and fans will be able to follow this Wednesday's Cup Final between the Fire and the Wizards, as the Fire looks to make history by becoming the first MLS team to capture back-to-back titles. GolTV will televise the U.S. Open Cup Final live at 7:30 p.m. CT in both English and Spanish via Dish Network (Channel 407 in English, and 853 in Spanish), including a 30-minute pre-game show which will air at 7:00 p.m. CT. Gol TV is also on Comcast cable in Chicago (Channel 268 in English and Channel 622 in Spanish). Fans are encouraged to check their local cable carrier for more information regarding the broadcast.

Chicago Fire AthletiCo Sports Medicine Injury Report
Armas, Chris - R arthroscopic knee surgery - questionable
Mapp, Justin - R knee Grade II LCL Sprain - out
Razov, Ante - R arthroscopic ankle surgery - out

Chris Armas: Testing the Waters

Fire captain Chris Armas can't sit still. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery just 19 days ago to remove scar tissue in his right knee, the 32-year-old midfield maestro is ahead of his rehab schedule and is "back to good level," according to Jason Mathews, the Fire's head athletic trainer. Armas began jogging last week and today participated in the majority of the team's practice session at Lake Forest College. "Each day has been a progression with Chris," says Mathews. "We've been working on regaining the strength that he lost due to the surgery, concentrating on his agility, foot and ball work, conditioning and lately on the soccer side of things." While Armas may be aching to step back onto the field Wednesday night in Kansas City, Mathews and his staff will continue to review Armas' progress report and determine his status the day of the game.

Playoff Positioning on the Line When Revolution Comes to Chicago

After falling to DC United 1-3 on the road last Saturday, the Fire (7-11-8, 29 pts.) will host the New England Revolution (6-11-9, 27 pts.) this Saturday, Sep. 25 in a match-up with major playoff implications in the Eastern Conference race. Kick-off from Soldier Field in will take place at 8:00 p.m. CT. Fans can follow the game live via radio stations WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish) and WNVR 1030 AM (Polish) or online worldwide via the Fire's official website, www.Chicago-Fire.com (English). With four regular season games remaining for both sides, the Fire - one of only two teams to make the MLS Cup Playoffs in each year of its existence - currently leads the Revolution by two points for the fourth and final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.

For the Record:

"I felt humbled to be included with this class of inductees -- all of the other inductees have volunteered their service to soccer in this state for decades. Illinois has a great tradition of individuals giving their own time to grow the sport of soccer. I was honored and proud to be included in that group. The Illinois State Soccer Association did a marvelous job hosting a first class event. My thanks go out to George Chazarro, Judith McLean, Branko Ilic and everyone at the Illinois State Soccer Association." - Fire GM Peter Wilt after being inducted into the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame last Saturday

"I don't even want to talk about the first half. The important part is that we did come out and do a better job in the second half. The guys came out and trusted that we could do better...I have to work more, but this was only my first week with the team in Chicago. I hope that if I keep on working I'll get used to playing with the team." - Fire forward and Costa Rican international Andy Herron on his MLS-Fire debut Saturday night at RFK Stadium, in the Fire's 1-3 loss.

"I am so proud of everything we accomplished in seven years at the Chicago Fire. My heartfelt thanks go out to Mr. Anschutz, Peter Wilt and everyone who helped make the Fire the great organization it is today. We will have comparable ambitions in Salt Lake City, where I am excited to get to work." - Former Fire Assistant GM Steve Pastorino on his appointment as Salt Lake City's new GM

Fire Invites Media to 2004 Hispanic Heroes Reception on Sept. 29 at Luna Mexicana Restaurant

The Chicago Fire would like to extend an invitation to Chicagoland media outlets to attend this year's Fire Hispanic Heroes reception, which will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Luna Mexicana Restaurant, located at 3565 W. Fullerton in Chicago. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. CT, with a program beginning at 6:30 p.m., and dinner being served at 7:00 p.m. This year's event will honor the collection of 50 Chicagoland Hispanic citizens recognized for their contributions to the Latin community, a group that was first announced at the Fire's Budweiser Hispanic Heritage Night celebration at Soldier Field on Sept. 4. To learn more information on the Hispanic Heroes Reception or to RSVP for the event, please contact Everett Gutierrez in the Chicago Fire office at 312-705-7219 by Friday, Sept. 24th.

Etc.

* Due to its Open Cup Final against the Kansas City Wizards this Wednesday, the Fire's media luncheon series will be put on hold until Sept. 29, following the Fire's practice session at Lake Forest College at 12:00 p.m.

* Fire captain Chris Armas will be featured on ABC-7's (WLS-TV Chicago) "The ñ Beat," this Saturday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The show will feature successful Latino professional athletes in Chicago, and Armas joins an elite lineup including White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen and slugger Carlos Lee and the Cubs' Aramis Ramirez.

* The Bridgeview Village Board approved plans last Wednesday to move the proposed site for the Chicago Fire's new stadium in Bridgeview from 79th and Harlem to 71st Street. Ground-breaking for the Fire's world-class stadium is expected for this fall, while the targeted move-in date is Spring of 2006.

* The Chicago Fire, the FireWorks for Kids Foundation and Honorary Race Chairman Jesse Marsch would like to thank the nearly 300 runners, joggers and walkers who took part in the Christopher House 5K Run/Walk for Literacy last Thursday in Lincoln Park. The Fire family would also like to congratulate Andrew Medendord and Lori Schafer, who won the men's and women's races at the event.

* They couldn't pick up a victory, but the Fire's Mexican League sister club Monarcas Morelia did pick up their first two points of the 2004 COMEX Apertura season last week courtesy of a pair of draws. After dueling Cruz Azul to a 1-1 draw at Morelos Stadium in Morelia last Wednesday, the "Monarchs" traveled to Guadalajara on Saturday to face Atlas, with both teams taking away a point from a wild 3-3 tie. Monarcas (0-4-2, 2 pts.) will once again set out to collect its first win of the fall season this Saturday, Sep. 25 when it plays host to first division newcomers Dorados (2-2-2, 8 pts.) at Morelos Stadium at 5:00 p.m. CT.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 20, 2004


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