Fire Announces 2003 MLS Schedule
January 7, 2003 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
CHICAGO (Tuesday, January 7, 2003) - The Chicago Fire today announced its 2003 Major League Soccer (MLS) schedule, kicking off its sixth campaign at home for the first time by facing the New England Revolution on Sunday, April 13 from Cardinal Stadium. The season opener will be the first under new Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan and will welcome the return of former Fire captain Peter Nowak, who was traded to New England last week. Game times and complete regional and national broadcast schedule will be announced at a later date.
Chicago has 87 percent of its total matches on weekends, while 12 of the 15 home games fall on a weekend.
Chicago will play a total of 30 games for the first time, with four games (two home, two away) against each opponent within the Eastern Conference. The schedule is highlighted by several other reunions including Saturday, June 28 and August 9 encounters with former Head Coach Bob Bradley's MetroStars at Cardinal Stadium. The Fire will take on another former member of the team twice when Dema Kovalenko leads D.C. United into Cardinal Stadium on Saturday, July 12 and August 16. Recently traded forward Josh Wolff will make his only appearance at Cardinal Stadium on Wednesday, July 30.
2003 Totals Saturday Sunday Wednesday
Season 30 21 5 4
Home 15 9 3 3
Road 15 12 2 1
The Fire has put season tickets on sale with a return to Cardinal Stadium at North Central College in 2003, while the renovation of Soldier Field continues. The Fire also announced that it is holding the line on individual ticket prices with the exception of a $2 increase on the south end reserved FireHouse seats. The range of ticket prices will continue to be $15 for the general admission Supporters Section to $35 for the VIP Gold. Discounts up to $3 per ticket are available for season and group purchase for the Fire's 15-game MLS regular season, plus any additional Open Cup, exhibition and playoff matches. Season ticket prices per game will range from $12 per game for the Fire's "Supporters Section" to $32 for the "VIP Gold" section.
The Chicago Fire was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer expansion team. The Fire captured the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in the team's inaugural season in 1998. The Fire also won the 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and 2000 and 2001 Central Division titles.
Full Chicago Fire 2002 MLS Schedule to follow.
CHICAGO FIRE 2003 MLS SCHEDULE
Date Day Opponent
4-13 Sun. New England Revolution
4-19 Sat. @ D.C. United
4-26 Sat. @ Kansas City Wizards
5-10 Sat. San Jose Earthquakes
5-17 Sat. @ New England Revolution
5-25 Sun. Colorado Rapids
5-31 Sat. @ San Jose Earthquakes
6-7 Sat. @ D.C. United
6-14 Sat. @ MetroStars
6-18 Wed. Dallas Burn
6-21 Sat. @ Kansas City Wizards
6-28 Sat. MetroStars
7-5 Sat. @ San Jose Earthquakes
7-12 Sat. D.C. United
7-19 Sat. New England Revolution
7-30 Wed. Kansas City Wizards
8-9 Sat. MetroStars
8-13 Wed. @ Columbus Crew
8-16 Sat. D.C. United
8-20 Wed. Los Angeles Galaxy
8-24 Sun. @ MetroStars
8-30 Sat. @ New England Revolution
9-7 Sun. Columbus Crew
9-13 Sat. @ Los Angeles Galaxy
9-20 Sat. @ Dallas Burn
9-27 Sat. @ Colorado Rapids
10-4 Sat. Los Angeles Galaxy
10-11 Sat. Columbus Crew
10-18 Sat. Colorado Rapids
10-26 Sun. @ Columbus Crew
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Major League Soccer Stories from January 7, 2003
- Crew Unveils 2003 Schedule - Columbus Crew SC
- Fire Announces 2003 MLS Schedule - Chicago Fire FC
- Wizards Announce 2003 Schedule, Host D.C. United on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- Galaxy Announces 2003 MLS Schedule - LA Galaxy
- Earthquakes Announce 2003 Schedule - San Jose Earthquakes
- United Announces 2003 MLS Schedule - D.C. United
- MetroStars Announce 2003 Schedule - New York Red Bulls
- MLS Announces 2003 Schedule - MLS
- Fire Trades Wolff to Kansas City - Chicago Fire FC
- Wizards Acquire World Cup and Chicago Fire Standout Josh Wolff - Sporting Kansas City
- MetroStars Place U-17 Team in Super Y-League - New York Red Bulls
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