MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Looks to Rebound at Home vs. Columbus Saturday

Published on September 2, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


After splitting a pair of road contests in Major League Soccer play over the last two weekends, the Eastern Conference leading Chicago Fire (11-5-6, 39 points) will return home to take on archrival Columbus Crew (7-9-6, 27 pts.) this Saturday, September 6 at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium at 8:00 p.m. CT. The match will be telecast live on HDNet and can be heard live via Chicagoland radio stations WBIG 1280 AM (English), WNTD 950 AM Radio Unica (Spanish) and WNVR 1030 AM (Polish). The first 5,000 fans arriving to Cardinal Stadium will receive a free mini-poster of the 2003 Chicago Fire squad, courtesy of the Chicago Fire, LaSalle Bank and Fox Sports Net.

Saturday's meeting will be the second match between the Eastern Conference archrivals in 2003, and the first in Chicagoland. The first meeting between the two sides on August 13 produced an exciting 2-2 draw at Crew Stadium in a match that saw Fire forward Damani Ralph break the MLS rookie goal-scoring record with a spectacular volley that drew the match even in the 90th minute. Chicago now leads the all-time regular season series 11-4-2 and holds a commanding 7-1-0 record at home against Columbus. Since suffering its only home loss to the Crew 2-1 at Soldier Field on September 23, 1999, the "Men in Red" have gone 10-2-2 against Columbus and 4-1-1 in their last six matches.

Exhausting August Ends With Tough Loss

After gaining at least a point in each of its first seven games in a hectic month of August, the Chicago Fire ran out of gas and suffered a 5-1 loss - its most lopsided loss in team history -- to the New England Revolution in Foxboro, MA last Saturday. Prior to Saturday's defeat, the worst loss suffered by Chicago was a 3-0 blanking by the Revolution on the Fire's previous trip to Foxboro on May 17 of this year. Despite the loss, the Fire ended one of the most successful months in club history with a 5-1-2 record in all competitions. Chicago's lengthy stretch of flawless soccer contributed to a seven-game unbeaten streak in League play that tied the longest such streak in MLS this season and equaled the club's third-longest unbeaten streak in its six-year history.

Chicago to Host Los Angeles Galaxy in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced today that Chicago Fire has been named the host for its Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal contest against the Los Angeles Galaxy to be played on Tuesday, September 23 at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium in Naperville, IL at 7:00 p.m. CT. Television broadcast information for the match will be announced in the near future. Chicago will be squaring off against the Galaxy in the semifinals of America's oldest soccer tournament for the third time in four seasons, with the clubs splitting a pair of overtime thrillers at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, CA in 2000 (a 2-1 Chicago victory) and 2001 (a 1-0 Fire loss).

Tickets for the Fire-Galaxy U.S. Open Cup match will go on sale on Wednesday, September 3 beginning at 10:00 a.m. CT and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by visiting any Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212. Tickets are also available at the Cardinal Stadium Box Office, located at 455 S. Brainard Street in Naperville, IL Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or by visiting the Chicago Fire offices, located at 980 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1998, Monday-Friday during regular business hours. Season ticket holders should use the ticket marked "Bonus Game A" from their season ticket packages. Note to media: MLS and Chicago Fire media credentials will be honored at the match. Media are asked to use their parking pass marked "Bonus Game A" from their 2003 Chicago Fire Season Parking Booklet.

Fire Extends Stadium Financial Proposal Deadline to Sept. 15

The Chicago Fire and its parent company, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), announced last week that the club has extended the stadium financial proposal deadline for the Chicago Fire stadium to Monday, September 15. The original deadline to select the permanent site for the Major League Soccer club had been previously set for late August. The communities of Bridgeview, Chicago, Hanover Park and Hoffman Estates all remain as finalists to house a 20,000 to 25,000 seat stadium to be used as the permanent home of the Chicago Fire.

MLS ¡Futbolito! 4v4 Tournament Coming to Chicagoland Saturday

MLS ¡Futbolito!, the official 4v4 soccer tournament of Major League Soccer, will make its stop in Chicagoland this Saturday, September 6 at Proviso East High School, located at 807 S. First Avenue in Maywood, IL. The event will begin with registration at 8:00 a.m., with matches kicking off one hour later at 9:00 a.m. MLS ¡Futbolito! is on a ten-city tour of the U.S. and is open to players of all ages and abilities. Former MLS legend Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama will be on hand to greet fans and contestants, and all players will have the chance to win prizes from Radio Shack and Panasonic, as well as prizes for the winners in each division (men's, women's, youth and co-ed). In addition, teams in the tournament's elite division will play for the opportunity to move to the MLS ¡Futbolito! national championship to be played at The Home Depot in Carson, CA during 2003 MLS Cup weekend in November. For more information on MLS ¡Futbolito! in Chicago, visit www.mlsfutbolito.com or call the Chicago Fire offices at 312.705.7234.

Return to Soldier Field is Official, Tickets for Last Two Regular Season Games Now Available

The Chicago Fire announced last week that the team will conclude the 2003 MLS regular season at Soldier Field with two games in October. The dates are Friday, October 10 at 8:00 p.m. CT against the Columbus Crew and Saturday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. CT against the Colorado Rapids.

Single-game tickets are now on sale at the Chicago Fire Box Office at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium, located at 455 S. Brainard in Naperville, IL. Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster.com or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet or calling 312-559-1212. Tickets will also be available by visiting the Fire offices at 980 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1998, Monday-Friday during regular business hours. Individual ticket prices for the games at Soldier Field will range from $15 (Firehouse) to $75 (Gold), and group discounts are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE.

Catch Jesse Marsch in the Christopher House 5K Run/Walk for Literacy on Sept. 18

The Chicago Fire and FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK) are proud to sponsor the 7th Annual Christopher House 5K Run/Walk for Literacy, taking place Thursday, September 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT at Diversey Harbor in Lincoln Park in Chicago. Soccer fans and fitness buffs alike are invited to join Honorary Chairman Jesse Marsch and other members of the Fire on a relaxing jog along the beautiful lakefront to benefit this great cause. For more information on the event, please call the FWFK offices at 312.705.7218 or visit the "Community" section of www.chicago-fire.com.

Etc.

· The Fire's Mexican sister team, Monarcas Morelia, jumped back in the win column during week five of Comex Apetura play last Saturday by picking up a 1-0 victory on the road over Chivas de Guadalajara. With the three points, Monarcas (2-2-1, 7 pts.) jumped to third place in the Group 3 table and are once again within three points of group-leading Tigres. The "Monarchs" will return home in week six of Mexico's fall season to host undefeated Necaxa (1-0-4, 7 pts.) this Saturday, September 6 at 5:00 p.m. CT at Morelos Stadium in Morelia.

· Chicago Fire fans looking for a unique and memorable way to see a Major League Soccer match have one last opportunity to visit eBay to bid on "Summer of Soccer" game experience packages. A variety of experiences - including the chance to "Bid to be a Ball Kid, " and special family packages - are still available for the Fire's home contest versus the Columbus Crew at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium this Saturday, September 6 at 8:00 p.m. CT. To purchase or bid on "Summer of Soccer" packages, individuals can visit www.ebay.com, click on the "Tickets" icon and review the package listings available on the site.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 2, 2003


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