MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Weekly Update

Published on February 17, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire will spend the second leg of 2009 preseason training in Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. The team arrived on Sunday and will train in Querétaro until Feb. 26 when the team returns to Chicago. On Wed. Feb. 18, the Fire will face their host, Querétaro FC, at their home stadium, "La Corregidora". Kickoff for the game is 8 p.m. CT.

U.S. NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS JOIN FIRE SQUAD FOR PRESEASON TRAINING

Fire players Jon Busch, Chris Rolfe, and John Thorrington joined the team this week for preseason training in Querétaro, Mexico. The trio had been training with the U.S. Men's National Team since January 4 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Thorrington and Rolfe appeared in the U.S.A.'s friendly against Sweden on Jan. 24 playing for 60 minutes and 30 minutes respectively. Busch was named to the 18-man roster, but did not play. After the Sweden friendly, the players were retained for a training camp in advance of a World Cup Qualifier against Mexico, but were not named to the 20-man game day roster. All three are available for the Fire's exhibition match against Querétaro FC on Wednesday.

FIREWORKS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2009 SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON

The FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK) has announced that the 2009 Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon presented by Ticketmaster will be held on Tuesday, March 24 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel. Tickets for this year's Season Kickoff Luncheon are $65, with tables of 10 priced at $600, with all proceeds benefiting the FireWorks for Kids Foundation. As in the past, the first 20 full tables of 10 purchased will have the opportunity to sit with a Chicago Fire player. For more information about the 2009 Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon or to purchase tickets for the event, please call the FWFK Foundation at 708-496-6740.

FIRE TO FACE CLUB AMERICA

The Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer and Club America of the Mexican Primera Division announced that the two teams will compete for a Cup in a home-and-away series to be hosted at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and at TOYOTA PARK in Chicago. The matches will take place in 2009. More details about the upcoming matches will be announced in the coming weeks. After five games, Club America is 1-2-2 in the 2009 Clausura tournament. The Eagles have a chance to regain ground on Wednesday, Feb. 18 when they face Atlas at Azteca Stadium.

CHICAGO TO TAKE ON LOS ANGELES IN PHX SOCCER CLASICO

The Fire and Los Angeles Galaxy today announced that the teams will play their final preseason match, the PHX Soccer Clasico, on March 14, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. MT/8 p.m. CT. The Fire will travel to Arizona on March 11 for training on the Arizona State University campus prior to their game against the Galaxy. Tickets for the game will go on sale to the public on Feb. 4 and can be purchased online at www.phxsoccerclasico.com, by calling (480) 965-1000, or by visiting the Sun Devil Stadium Box Office during business hours. Individual tickets are $36 in advance or $40 at the gate.

American Airlines, the official airline of the Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer will extend fans a 5% savings off airfares to Phoenix, Arizona for travel between March 11 and March 17. Reservations can be made online at www.aa.com by entering A9439BD in the "promo code" box.

CHICAGO TO FACE NEW YORK IN HOME OPENER

The Chicago Fire begin their 12th season of play in Major League Soccer against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Fire will host the New York Red Bulls for their home opener at TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. CT. Season Ticket Packages, including a limited supply of full season packages starting at $99, are available now by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or clicking on the TICKETS link on the club's official website, www.chicago-fire.com.

BUFFETT RETURNS TO TOYOTA PARK

After the success of last summer's two TOYOTA PARK concerts, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band will return to the stadium again this summer for two more unforgettable concert experiences as part of the "Summerzcool" Tour 2009. The concert dates are set for Saturday, Aug. 8 and Saturday Aug. 15. The seating setup at the stadium will be similar to last year's concerts, as all seats will be reserved both on the field and in the stadium bowl. Tickets will go on sale for both dates on Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. CT through all Ticketmaster outlets including the TOYOTA PARK box office, Tickemaster.com, and by calling (800) 745-3000. For more information visit www.toyotapark.com.

BLANCO'S ‘DIRECTO AL BLANCO' RADIO PROGRAM TUESDAY

"Directo al Blanco" a full-hour live radio program hosted by Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco will air this and every Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. CT. Listeners are encouraged to call and talk to Blanco about the latest soccer-related news regarding the Chicago Fire, Major League Soccer, and the Mexican Primera Division. The show airs nationally on RadioCadena stations in Chicago (WRTO-AM), Las Vegas (KLSQ-AM), Los Angeles (KTNQ-AM), San Francisco (KLOK-AM), El Paso (KAMA-AM), San Antonio (KCOR-AM), Dallas (KFLC-AM), McAllen (KGBT-AM), Houston (KLAT-AM), New York (WADO-AM), and Miami (WQBA-AM).

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 17, 2009


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