Fire Preseason Update
February 24, 2003 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
The Chicago Fire won its second straight preseason match last Saturday by downing the MetroStars 2-1 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. The victory improves the Fire's preseason record to 2-2-0. Despite playing only 45 minutes, Fire veteran and U.S. National Team standout DaMarcus Beasley contributed to the win by tallying a goal and an assist in the first half.
The Fire, currently in Chicago on a four-day break, is scheduled to depart for Boca Raton, Florida on Thursday, February 27 to continue the MLS Preseason at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) until March 12. The "Men in Red" are scheduled to play against three MLS teams at FAU, including the just-added friendly against the Dallas Burn on Sunday, March 2 at 12:00 p.m. CT.
The Fire will partake in Miami's Copa Carnaval with a game against the San Jose Earthquakes on March 8 at 6:00 p.m. CT at the Orange Bowl as part of a MLS doubleheader -- one of two scheduled at the venue in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of Carnaval Miami's Calle Ocho, the largest celebration of Hispanic Culture in the United States. The Fire will conclude the preseason with an overseas trip to Portugal, where the team will train from Saturday, March 16 until Thursday, March 27. The Fire will return to Cardinal Stadium at North Central College on Sunday, April 13 at 6:00 p.m. CT, facing the New England Revolution in the 2003 MLS Home Opener.
Mapp Captains U.S. Under-20 National Team Fire midfielder Justin Mapp has been keeping busy in the off-season with the U.S. Under-20 National Team as the squad prepares for the FIFA World Youth Championship, to be held in the United Arab Emirates from March 27-April 2, 2003. Mapp captained the U-20's today against Colombia, tallying an assist on the U.S.'s first goal, but bowed to the world championship-bound rival 6-3. Prior to departing for Portugal this week to participate in the Seventh Annual Madeira International Tournament on Madeira Island, the U-20's are scheduled to face the Colombians in another friendly on Thursday, February 26 at 12:30 p.m. CT at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In Madeira, the U.S. will face host country Portugal on Monday, March 3, and then battles Norway on Wednesday, March 5, and finally a Maderia Regional Select team on Friday, March 7.
Nowak Returns to the Fire
The Chicago Fire will hold a press conference on Wednesday, February 26 at 3:00 p.m. CT at the Chicago Athletic Association, 12 S. Michigan Avenue (between Monroe and Madison) in Chicago, to announce the new role for the recently retired Peter Nowak, who captained the Fire since the team's inception. Fire General Manager Peter Wilt, Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan, Fire players and Nowak will be at hand.
Monarcas Youth Development Director Begins Chicago Residency
Monarcas Director of Youth Development Andres Lillini begins his Chicago residency this week as part of the Fire's agreement with Mexican First Division team Monarcas Morelia. Lillini will partake in various community and soccer-related activities and serve as a guest director for the Fire Academy. The Argentine-born Lillini will conclude his week-long tour with a clinic on Saturday, March 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CT at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, located at 1011 W. Adams in Chicago. All events are open to the media. To view photos of Lillini's visit to Little Village Academy earlier today, please visit http://www.chicago-fire.com/pressbox/photogallery/photos.asp?id=28.
Season Kickoff Luncheon to Feature MLS Commissioner Don Garber
The FireWorks for Kids Foundation has announced that the 2003 Season Kickoff Luncheon, sponsored by Athletico, is set for Thursday, April 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. This year's keynote speaker will be MLS Commissioner Don Garber. The luncheon will also feature Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates, and much more in a silent auction.
The first twenty, full paid tables will sit with a Chicago Fire player or coach. Tickets to the event are $60 each and tables of 10 are $500. For more information or to order tickets, please call the FireWorks for Kids Foundation at 312-705-7218 or visit http://www.chicago-fire.com/community/index.asp
Hot Ticket
The Fire has put season tickets on sale for the team's 2003 season at Cardinal Stadium in Naperville. The Fire 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.
Etc.
* After coming back from behind, the Fire's sister team Monarcas Morelia, bowed to Club America 2-1 last Saturday in Week 7 of Mexico's 2003 Clausura season. The loss drops Morelia's record to 3-3-1, 10 points. The Monarchs will face Jaguares on Saturday, March 1 at 3:00 p.m. CT from Manuel Reyna Stadium. The game will be televised live on Telemundo (locally Ch. 44).
* The Fire recently announced a partnership with the nationally syndicated radio network Radio Unica, the only 24-hour-nationwide Spanish language radio network. Radio Unica (WNTD AM 950 in Chicago) will serve as the team's official Spanish-language broadcast partner in 2003, carrying all 30 MLS matches.
* Former Fire goalkeeper Chris Snitko has joined the Fire Academy as a goalkeeper coach. Snitko will be rotating shifts between the Academy's three training groups (North, City and West).
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Major League Soccer Stories from February 24, 2003
- Fire Preseason Update - Chicago Fire FC
- Rapids Weekly - Colorado Rapids
- Kohl's Department Stores Kicks off Partnership with L.A. Galaxy - LA Galaxy
- MetroStars Weekly Report - New York Red Bulls
- Earthquakes Lose 3-1 to Viking in La Manga Cup - San Jose Earthquakes
- Clint Mathis to Undergo Hernia Procedure - New York Red Bulls
- Galaxy Fall to Odd Grenland, 1-0 - LA Galaxy
- Team Departs for Florida Today - FC Dallas
- D.C. United and Washington Freedom Announce Doubleheaders - D.C. United
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