MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update

Published on June 9, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


FIRE FACE CREW IN U.S. OPEN CUP PLAY TUESDAY

The Fire play Columbus in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in game on Tuesday, June 10 at Bradley University's Shea Stadium in Peoria, Ill. Kick-off for the game set for 7:00 p.m. CT. The winner of the game advances into the Round of 16.

CHICAGO FIRE AT FC DALLAS ON SUNDAY

The Fire (6-3-1, 19 pts.) look to remain the only unbeaten road team in MLS as they play at FC Dallas (3-5-4, 13 pts.) on Sunday, June 15. The game is the first of two regular season meetings between the teams. Kickoff for the match is set for 2 p.m. CT. The Fire are coming off a 2-1 home loss to D.C. United on Saturday, while FC Dallas dropped their last game 2-1 to the New England Revolution on the road. This Sunday's game will be televised by My50 Chicago and TeleFutura, and can be heard on Chicagoland radio stations WNVR 1030-AM (Polish) and WRTO 1200-AM (Spanish).

FC Dallas leads the all-time series 15-10-2 which includes a 10-2-1 mark in games played in Dallas. Last year the teams played to a 1-1 tie at Pizza Hut Park which broke a 9-game road losing streak for the Fire to FC Dallas. Chicago's last win in the Metroplex came on 7/4/99 (2-1). FC Dallas won 2-1 in Chicago and has gone 8-2-1 in the last 11 games vs. Chicago.

A THIRD OF THE SEASON IS OVER

After Saturday's loss to D.C. United, the Fire is now a third of the way through the 2008 MLS season. With a 6-3-1 record, the club has 19 points and is in a tie for second place in the Eastern Conference, four points behind New England. However, the Fire has two games in hand against the Revolution. This is the fourth time in MLS history the league has played a 30-game season and this season's record is the best after 10 games in franchise history. Here is a look at the other 10-game records in the seasons where the league played 30 games - 2003: (5-2-3, 18 pts.); 2004: (4-2-4, 16 pts.) and 2007 (4-4-2, 14 pts.). Every other season has been scheduled for either 28 or 32 games.

SEGARES GETS COSTA RICAN NATIONAL TEAM CALL

Fire defender Gonzalo Segares joined the Costa Rican National Team camp on Sunday. The 25-year-old San Jose, Costa Rica native will take a 2-week leave from Fire to join "Los Ticos" in 2 games at Grenada on 6/14 and vs. Grenada on 6/21.

FOR FIRE, U.S. OPEN CUP IS HISTORY

The Chicago Fire has enjoyed unparalleled success in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup since the team's inception in 1998, winning the Dewar Trophy 4 times - 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006 - while finishing as the runners-up in 2004. The Fire have dominated play in the nation's oldest soccer competition, as evidenced by Chicago's 24-6-2 record (.781 winning percentage), 7 semifinal appearances and 5 finals in just 10 years. The Fire is also one of only 7 clubs to win the U.S. Open Cup at least 3 times, and became the first to accomplish the feat since the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms won their third title in 1983. Chicago is also the last club to take home 4 titles since Maccabee SC of Los Angeles did so in 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1981. The Fire is not the only team from "The Windy City" to take home the Dewar Trophy, having brought home Chicago's 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th overall Open Cup titles. Other Chicago-based winners: Chicago Sparta (1938, 1940), Chicago Viking (1946), Chicago Falcons (1953), and Chicago A.A.C. Eagles (1990). The Fire and Crew have met twice in Open Cup play, with Chicago winning both contests. Chicago won 2-1 in the 4th Round on 7/20/04 at Crew Stadium in Columbus. Chicago captured its first Open Cup title on 10/30/98 with a 2-1 win at Soldier Field.

VERANO MLS AT TOYOTA PARK

In its second edition, the Chicago Fire will host Verano MLS presented by Tang, a free summer soccer program, at TOYOTA PARK. Verano MLS presented by Tang provides youth ages 8-12 a free opportunity to play pick-up-style soccer twice a week in a safe and controlled environment. Working closely with select MLS teams, the four to six week summer program will provide a weekly soccer playing destination, while creating a connection between youth soccer players and their favorite MLS stars.

Location: Toyota Park (7000 S. Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455

Dates: July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30

Time: 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. each clinic date

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