MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update

Published on August 1, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


New England First of Four Crucial Opponents for Fire in Two-week Span

After a hot month of soccer in Chicago which saw international powerhouse clubs Real Madrid, Club Deportivo Guadalajara and A.C. Milan dazzle almost 90,000 spectators at Soldier Field in July, the Chicago Fire will return to action this Wednesday when it travels to Ludlow, MA to take on the New England Revolution in a fourth round U.S. Open Cup match. The match, which will be broadcast live via Chicago-Fire.com, will mark the first of four games in 12 days for the Fire. Following the Open Cup match, the "Men in Red" will host DC United (Aug. 6), Kansas City Wizards (Aug. 10) and Los Angeles Galaxy (Aug. 13).

Fans can purchase tickets for the Fire's three sizzling games in August by visiting the Fire's official website, www.Chicago-Fire.com . Fans can also secure individual or group tickets through the Fire office by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or by visiting the Fire's headquarters at 980 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1998, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Fire and Revolution in the U.S. Open Cup

Though the Chicago Fire (11-7-3, 36 pts.) has clashed for first place in the Eastern Conference at least three times this season with the New England Revolution (10-3-6, 36 pts.), this Wednesday's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round match will mark the first time the teams will meet in Open Cup play. The "Men in Red" and the Revolution are currently tied for first place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, with the Chicagoans emerging on top during the clubs' last encounter on July 9, a 1-0 win at Soldier Field.

The Fire, 1-2-0 in 2005 and 8-10-5 all-time (MLS) against the Revolution, will count on the leadership of veterans Chris Armas, Tony Sanneh, Ivan Guerrero and Samuel Caballero, who have all returned from Gold Cup duty, to help the "Men in Red" make another run for the Open Cup Championship. The Fire, considered the most successful team in Open Cup competition, captured the Dewar Cup in 1998, 2000 and 2003. The Revolution, which reached the Open Cup Finals in 2001 but lost to the Los Angeles Galaxy, has yet to win an Open Cup title.

Wednesday's match will not be the last time the clubs meet this season. Like they did in 2004, the Fire and Revolution will close out their respective 2005 regular season campaigns in a head-to-head showdown on Oct. 15 at Gillette Stadium.

AthletiCo Injury Report

Capano, Craig - L torn ACL surgery - Out

Griffin, Leonard - abdominal strain - Out

Jaqua, Nate - L ankle bone bruise - Questionable

Pickens, Matt - R groin strain - Out

Segares, Gonzalo - L ankle sprain - Questionable

Thorrington, John - L hamstring strain - Questionable

Fire Agenda

**Training sessions are held at Lake Forest College (LFC) and are open to media only. Sites/times subject to change. Please call the Fire Media Relations Department (312-705-7272) for an updated practice schedule. All times Central.

Tuesday, Aug. 2 Training at LFC - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; Travel to Boston, MA.

Wednesday, Aug. 3 Fire @ New England Revolution -4th Round/U.S. Open Cup - Lusitano Stadium - 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 4 Return to Chicago; Training at LFC - 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 5 Training at LFC - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 6 Fire vs. DC United - 7:30 p.m. - Soldier Field

Fire Returns to MLS Action Saturday During Polish Night with the Fire

The Fire will host former Chicago captain Peter Nowak and his defending MLS Cup Champion D.C. United for the last time during regular season play this Saturday, Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Soldier Field. The Fire is 10-9-4 all-time against United, but the "Men in Red" have controlled the proceedings in Chicago, posting a 7-2-2 mark against United in 11 Chicagoland contests entering Saturday's clash. The Fire took one point out of two contests in the Nation's Capital this season, with the Fire earning a 1-1 draw on Apr. 9 before dropping a 4-3 heartbreaker on June 15. The Fire bounced back in its next meeting with United, banking three points in a 4-3 victory at Soldier Field.

The Fire's rendering of Polish Night includes pre-game and post-game activities, including an autograph session with DC United head coach Peter Nowak. The day's events will begin with pre-games from 4:30-5:00 p.m. at Soldier Field, as well as live music provided by Club UN's DJ Hortex from 6:30-7:30 p.m. To cap off the night, Nowak, will hold a post-game autograph session for the Polish group supporters. For more information on how to be a part of this group, please call Maria Uribe at 312-705-7211 or via email at muribe@chicago-fire.com .

Kubik to "Ring of Fire" This Weekend

Former Fire great Lubos Kubik will join Peter Nowak and Frank Klopas as the third member of the club's Hall of Fame, the "Ring of Fire" during a formal ceremony prior to the Fire's Eastern Conference showdown against Nowak's DC United on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Soldier Field at 7:30 p.m. After enjoying success in some of Europe's top leagues and internationally for his native Czechoslovakia, Kubik brought his skills to Major League Soccer when he signed with the League on Feb. 19, 1998. The Czech's steady presence on the ball, lethal left foot and world-class marking ability made him an instant leader on the squad and one of the League's top players - as well as a fan favorite to the Chicago faithful.

Kubik was an integral part of the Fire's "Double" winning side in 1998, as he finished the year with seven goals and eight assists while starting in all but one of the squad's 32 regular season contests. He also added a team-high two goals in the post-season en route to the Fire's lone MLS Cup championship and tallied two goals in helping the squad capture the first of its three U.S. Open Cup crowns. Kubik's remarkable season ended with him receiving several accolades, including the 1998 Fire Defender of the Year and 1998 BIC MLS Tough Defender of the Year awards and a spot on the 1998 MLS Best XI Team.

Kubik would play three seasons with the Fire from 1998-2000 before being traded to the then Dallas Burn on January 4, 2001. In his 71 games (70 starts) in a Fire uniform, Kubik tallied 15 goals and registered 22 assists, numbers that rank him in 7th and 6th places respectively on the club's all-time charts. Kubik finished his four-year MLS career with 16 goals and 24 assists in 82 League matches, while also adding two goals and three assists in nine MLS Cup Playoff games with Chicago.

Fire D/M Ivan Guerrero Joins MLS All-Stars in Victory Over Fulham F.C.

Fire D/M Ivan Guerrero, a late addition to the MLS All-Star roster, joined in the MLS All-Stars in defeating English Premiership club Fulham F.C. in the 2005 MLS All-Star match at Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH. Guerrero joined the game as a second-half sub, helping the MLS All-Stars down Fulham 4-1 before 23, 309 fans. Guerrero joined the squad just days after finishing national team duty for Honduras in the CONCACAF Gold Cup series, where he scored one goal against the U.S. squad and his Fire teammate and captain Chris Armas.

Fire Reserves to Face D.C. United Reserves on Sunday August 7

The Chicago Fire Reserve squad (4-4-2, 14 pts.) will battle for first place against top ranked D.C. United Reserves (5-4-0, 15 pts.) on Sunday, Aug. 7. This match will mark the first time the Fire Reserves will play host to United. In their only match-up of the season, D.C., on their own turf, was able to overcome the Fire Reserves 4-1 on Apr. 10. In their last game on July 10, the Fire Reserves walked away with a 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution Reserves. Meanwhile, United Reserves lost to the Kansas City Wizards Reserves 4-2 in their last match.

Etc.

* The FireWorks for Kids Foundation, the Fire's charitable arm, will host its annual Cruise with the Fire outing on Sunday, Aug. 7 from 3:30-6:00 p.m. Enjoy an evening with Chicago Fire players and coaches and see the amazing Chicago skyline while supporting FWFK. Tickets for the event are $70 and include: buffet dinner, three drink tickets, live DJ, silent auction and an autograph/photo session with Fire players. For more information or to make a donation, please call 312-703-7253.

* The FWFK is proud to announce that more than $7,000 was raised from the organization's jersey auction following the Fire's historic match against Italian giant A.C. Milan. The money raised from the event will be used to help the Foundation in its efforts to donate grants and scholarships to disadvantaged children in and around Chicago.

* The roof structure for the Fire's future permanent home in Bridgeview has started. To view images of this exciting process, please visit .

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 1, 2005


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