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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update

March 5, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


One down, two to go... Fire wins first of three preseason games in California training stretch

The Chicago Fire began week two of its 12-day training camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. today, with the squad preparing for the final two of three preseason scrimmages during the Southern California camp. The "Men in Red" topped Chivas USA 2-1 last Saturday to start off the camp on a strong note and has two games left at The HDC against the Los Angeles Galaxy and collegiate power UCLA on Tuesday and Friday, respectively. The team will return to Chicago after Friday's scrimmage and enjoy nearly a week in the Windy City before departing for its next preseason trip that will take the squad to Oklahoma City, Okla. and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Fire has confirmed that the team will kick-off its Saturn Cup 2007 contest in Norman, Okla. on March 17 against FC Dallas at 7:30 p.m. CT, and will also take on USL First Division side Miami FC at Tropical Park Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on March 24 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Any additional scrimmages taking place during the third leg of the 2007 preseason will be announced at a later date.

2007 Chicago Fire Preseason Schedule

Date Opponent Site Score/Time Record

2-10 Univ. of South Florida IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. 4-0 W 1-0-0

2-10 U.S. U-17 Men's National Team IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. 2-0 W 2-0-0

2-13 Columbus Crew IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. 0-0 T 2-0-1

2-16 Real Salt Lake Disney's Wide World of Sports - Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 2-1 W 3-0-1

2-18 Houston Dynamo Disney's Wide World of Sports - Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 1-3 L 3-1-1

2-21 Kansas City Wizards IMG Academies - Bradenton, Fla. 0-4 L 3-2-1

3-03 Chivas USA The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif. 2-1 W 4-2-1

3-06 Los Angeles Galaxy The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif. 9:30 a.m. PT

3-09 UCLA The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif. 10:00 a.m. PT

3-17 FC Dallas Univ. of Oklahoma, John Crain Field - Norman, Okla. 7:30 p.m. CT

3-24 Miami FC Tropical Park Stadium - For Lauderdale, Fla. 5:00 p.m. ET

3-31 Chivas USA M&F Bank Stadium - Ridgeland, Miss. 7:30 p.m. CT

Singles nights at TOYOTA PARK... Individual Fire game tickets on sale now

Single game tickets for the 2007 Chicago Fire's regular season are now on sale. Fans can purchase tickets through any Ticketmaster outlet, by dialing 888-MLS-FIRE, or in person at the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office (7000 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview), Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT. Single game tickets for the much-anticipated Los Angeles Galaxy match on Oct. 21 will not be made available on a single-game basis, but seats to the big game are currently available through a number of Chicago Fire season ticket and group packages, which fans can get more information on by calling 888-MLS-FIRE and speaking to a Chicago Fire Customer Service representative.

Fire parts ways with six players for MLS roster compliance

In accordance with Major League Soccer's mandated roster and salary deadline of March 1, the Chicago Fire has officially waived four players - defenders Leonard Griffin and Jared Montz and midfielders Craig Capano and John Thorrington - while announcing defender Tony Sanneh and midfielder Ryan Johnson have been placed on the club's right of first refusal list in advance of the team's upcoming 2007 campaign. The Fire has 30 players taking part at its current preseason camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., with the coaching staff expected to make final roster cuts and settle on the final 28-man roster in the upcoming weeks.

U.S. Men's Coach Bob Bradley named Keynote Speaker for Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon

The FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK), the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire, is proud to announce that U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach and former Fire Head Coach Bob Bradley will serve as the Keynote Speaker for the charity's 2007 Season Kickoff Luncheon, sponsored by Ticketmaster, on Tuesday, April 3. The luncheon will be held at the Hilton Chicago, located at 720 S. Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago, beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT.

The Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon will provide Chicago soccer fans the first opportunity of the year to meet their favorite Fire players and coaches, and will be one of the few events of the season featuring the club's full roster. The event includes a reception followed by lunch and a short program and also features the popular silent auction, which will include Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates and much more. Tables of 10 cost $550 and individual tickets are $65 each, and the first 20 full paid tables will get to sit with a Chicago Fire player (individual player appearances are tentative and subject to change). This popular event will sell out, so act quickly and order your tickets today. For more information on the Ninth Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon or to purchase tickets for the event, please call the FWFK Foundation at 708-496-6740.

Warm up for soccer season at this Saturday's 2007 Illinois Youth Soccer Expo/Winter FireFest in Schaumburg

The Chicago Fire and Illinois Youth Soccer Association are teaming up to present the 2007 Illinois Youth Soccer Expo/Winter FireFest this Saturday, March 10 at The Sport Center in Schaumburg, Ill. from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT. This year's edition of the largest annual gathering of soccer supporters in Chicagoland will be bigger and better than ever, with the club hosting its popular F.I.R.E. Express inflatables, a "soccer tennis" challenge court, a trio of 3v3 courts, chances to win Fire merchandise, several new-look giveaways and much more. Fans of the "Men in Red" will also get an up-close-and-personal opportunity to mingle with midfielders Diego Gutierrez and Brian Plotkin at the event, as the duo will be available for autographs and pictures from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the FireFest booth, marking the first chance Fire followers can chat with players from the upcoming 2007 squad. For more information on the 2007 Illinois Youth Soccer Expo/Winter FireFest, click here or visit www.illinoisyouthsoccer.org.

Media credentials for 2007 Fire season available online

The Chicago Fire Soccer Media Relations Department has announced that applications for season credentials for the Fire's 2007 campaign at TOYOTA PARK are now available online. Media members interested in covering the Fire's tenth season in MLS must complete the online form, which is available in both English and Spanish by following the links below. Any media members with questions regarding the application process are asked to contact Fire M.R. Director Daniel Jankowski (djankowski@chicago-fire.com; 708-496-6726) or M.R. Coordinator Chris Bailey (cbailey@chicago-fire.com; 708-496-6724) during regular business hours.

Chicago Fire 2007 Season Credential Application - English

http://chicagofiresoccer.iwebreg.com/apply/2007_Chicago_Fire_Soccer/MEDIA/en

Chicago Fire 2007 Season Credential Application - Spanish

http://chicagofiresoccer.iwebreg.com/apply/2007_Chicago_Fire_Soccer/MEDIA/es

Fire to host annual Media Night on April 5 at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

Credential applications that are submitted and approved by the Fire's Media Relations Department by Monday, April 2 will be available for pick-up at the Fire's annual Media Night, to be held on Thursday, April 5 at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant in downtown Chicago (1401 S. Michigan Ave.) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. CT. Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan and select players will be made available for one-on-one interviews and photo opportunities at the event, at which media members will also be able to pick up copies of the team's official 2007 Media Guide. To RSVP for this year's Chicago Fire Media Night, please contact the Fire Media Relations Department at 708-496-6726 by Wednesday, April 4 at 5:00 p.m.

"Chicago Fire 5-Pack" - including Oct. 21 home finale vs. L.A. Galaxy - on sale now

Fans have yet another option when it comes to catching games at TOYOTA PARK in 2007, as a special "Chicago Fire 5-Pack" ticket package is now available. The "Chicago Fire 5-Pack" includes seats for four Chicago Fire regular season contests - April 7 vs. New England (season opener); May 27 vs. Real Salt Lake; July 12 vs. Houston Dynamo; and the much-anticipated Oct. 21 season finale against the Los Angeles Galaxy, featuring David Beckham - and a home contest during the MLS Cup Playoffs. "Chicago Fire 5-Packs" start for as low as $100 and can be purchased over the phone by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE, online by clicking here or visiting in person at the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT, Monday-Friday. All other Chicago Fire season ticket packages for the team's 2007 season in Bridgeview are on sale and remain at 2006 prices. People wanting more information, including all the benefits that go along with being a Fire Season Ticket Holder, are encouraged to call the Fire Ticket Hotline at 708-496-6800 or click on the "TICKETS" link at www.chicago-fire.com for more details.

Need 2007 Fire gear? The Chicago Fire Store has it

Get your Chicago Fire gear before the regular season opener on April 7 vs. New England Revolution. Visit the new Chicago Fire store, located in the downstairs lobby of TOYOTA PARK and open from Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The store is now open for business and is fully stocked with the latest, officially-licensed adidas Fire merchandise. Don't be the only one not wearing red on Opening Day... come check out the newest line of Chicago Fire gear today.

Etc...

* Chicago Fire Soccer would like to thank those who participated in the Chicago Fire Business Alliance 2007 Corporate Reception on Thursday, March 1. The event witnessed a packed TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club, with guests receiving behind-the-scenes tours of the new stadium and exclusive Chicago Fire and MLS memorabilia, while one lucky winner walked away with a soccer ball autographed by future Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham. For more information on how your business and the Chicago Fire Business Alliance can form a winning partnership, please visit the CFBA's website by clicking here.

* The Fire made no selections in MLS waiver draft that was conducted earlier this afternoon, and none of the four players waived by the Fire last Friday were selected by the remaining 12 MLS teams. Only former Columbus goalkeeper Jon Busch was taken in today's draft, as the veteran netminder was snatched up by expansion club Toronto FC.

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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.

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