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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Ready for Eastern Conference Rival New York Red Bulls; Designated Players Prep for Toyota Park

August 2, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Fire return home to TOYOTA PARK fresh off a 3-2 victory over the league-leading LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. The Fire's offensive explosion saw the Men in Red tally three goals for the first time in their 2010 MLS campaign. The games don't get any easier when the Fire welcome the New York Red Bulls, their long-time Eastern Conference foe, to TOYOTA PARK this Sunday, August 8 at 8:00 PM CT (ESPN2/ESPN Deportes).

With two games in hand, the Fire (5-5-5, 20 points) will look to make up ground and close the seven point gap that stands between the fourth place Fire and the second place Red Bulls (8-6-3, 27 points). Sunday's tilt should serve as the TOYOTA PARK debut of Nery Castillo and Freddie Ljungberg, the Fire's two new Designated Players. Both attacking players will be available for selection by Fire Head Coach Carlos de los Cobos.

All-time, the Fire have a 20-11-6 record against New York, going 11-3-4 in matches played in the Land of Lincoln. The Fire are unbeaten in the last seven matches when hosting the New York side, going 5-0-2, with their last home defeat coming in a 3-0 loss May 14, 2005.

CHICAGO FIRE vs. New York Red Bulls

* The Men in Red are 20-11-6 all-time against the Red Bulls, including a 11-3-4 mark in matches played in Chicago. The Fire have outscored New York 33 to 17 in Windy City matches.

* The match pits former Arsenal greats, Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg against one another for the first time in MLS. Henry and Ljungberg were members of Arsenal during the club's undefeated English Premier League title run in 2003-04.

* Marco Pappa scored his club-high seventh goal in the Fire's 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy.

* With seven assists, Patrick Nyarko sits in a tie for third place with LA's Michael Stephens, four behind league leader Landon Donovan.

* The New York Red Bulls announced today that Rafael Marquez will join the club as its third Designated Player.

* Sunday's match will likely feature the most Designated Players on the same field in MLS history. Ljungberg, Castillo, Henry and Angel will all be available for selection. It is unclear whether newly signed Designated Player Rafael Marquez will be available for selection for the Red Bulls.

* The Fire were defeated 1-0 by the Red Bulls during First Kick Weekend in the inaugural MLS match at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.

* In 2009, the Fire defeated the Red Bulls twice, with both matches resulting in 1-0 Fire victories. Marco Pappa's 33rd minute goal proved the difference as the Fire won at TOYOTA PARK and Chris Rolfe's strike just ahead of halftime was enough for the Fire to leave the Meadowlands with a sweep of their Eastern Conference rivals.

CHICAGO FIRE ACQUIRE FREDDIE LJUNGBERG FROM SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club have acquired former Arsenal midfielder and Swedish international Freddie Ljungberg from Seattle Sounders FC for a conditional selection in the 2011 or 2012 SuperDraft. The move marks the first-ever trade of a Designated Player in the history of Major League Soccer.

Credited as one of the founding members of Seattle Sounders FC, Ljungberg helped lead the expansion side to the 2009 MLS Cup playoffs in their inaugural season. In 2009, Ljungberg tallied two goals and nine assists, including five game winning assists, as the former Arsenal great was named to the 2009 MLS Best XI.

Ljungberg is widely recognized for his prominent role in Arsenal's run of two EPL and three FA Cup championships between 1999-2005. The dynamic midfielder appeared in 328 matches for Arsenal from 1998-07, scoring 72 goals and was named 2002 MVP Barclaycard Premier League Player of the Year. In 2001-02 he scored a career high 17 goals in all competitions, including 12 in league play. During his tenure with Arsenal, the club never finished lower than fourth in the English Premier League and recently, Ljungberg was voted top 11 on the Gunners' all-time top 50 players.

Between his first appearance for Sweden in 1998 (against the United States) and his international retirement following UEFA Euro 2008, Ljungberg played in two World Cups (2002, 2006) and three UEFA Euros. He served as national team captain from 2006-2008 and, altogether, scored 14 goals.

CHICAGO FIRE TOPPLE LEAGUE LEADING GALAXY 3-2

The Chicago Fire jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as Marco Pappa, Collins John and Mike Banner all scored within the first 20 minutes to give the Fire a 3-2 victory over the LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

The Fire (5-5-5, 20 points) withstood two Landon Donovan penalties and stifled a late comeback attempt to hand the Galaxy (12-4-4, 40 points) their first home loss of the season and earn their third road victory of their 2010 campaign. The match marked the MLS debut for Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who had four saves, including an early block of an Edson Buddle break away that set the tone for the Fire's energized performance in Los Angeles. Newly signed Designated Player Freddie Ljungberg made his debut for the Men in Red when he entered the match in the 58th minute.

The Fire came out blazing, scoring a goal four minutes into the match to give the Men in Red a 1-0 advantage. Fire midfielder Baggio Husidic sent a glancing through ball that beat the Galaxy's offside trap and sprung Marco Pappa into the open space. With only Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to beat, the MLS All-Star slotted the ball under Ricketts and into the back of the net to stun the Galaxy early.

Just a minute later, the Fire would double their lead as Collins John scored his second goal of the season. Fire midfielder Patrick Nyarko sent a lofted ball to John on the right side of the field. The imposing Dutchman charged toward goal from 35-yards out and blasted his shot past Ricketts to the near post to put the Fire up 2-0.

The Galaxy had opportunities from World Cup teammates Donovan and Buddle to close in on the Fire's two goal advantage, yet, it was the away side who would find goal to stretch the lead in the 19th minute. Husidic switched the point of attack, sending a lofted cross from right to left finding Pappa at the top of the 18-yard box. Pappa settled the cross and blasted a shot from 15 yards out. His well-struck attempt was blocked by Ricketts and the rebound fell to midfielder Mike Banner who in full-volley, smashed the ball into the back of the goal to give the Fire a 3-0 lead. The goal was Banner's first of the season and third of his career.

CHICAGO FIRE, MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER AND THE HOME DEPOT SEARCH FOR COMMUNITY MVPS

Fans throughout the League will have an opportunity to nominate individuals who are committed to going above and beyond in their communities. Winners will be selected based on their efforts in one of the following areas: general community service; youth programming; environmental sustainability; health and wellness; education; military or civic service.

The Community MVP contest is part of the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community Service Program - a collaborative effort to combine sport and service, promote goodwill within MLS markets and improve lives and communities at the grassroots level.

One (1) Community MVP will be chosen to represent each MLS club. Winners will receive a $500 gift card provided by The Home Depot, along with a trip to MLS Cup 2010 in Toronto (round-trip coach airfare provided by American Airlines). Official MLS merchandise will also be a part of the prize package. Nominations must be 500 words or less and can be submitted by visiting www.MLSsoccer.com/communitymvp. The contest will be open until September 17, 2010 at 7:59 PM ET. Winners will be announced on MLSsoccer.com and recognized during halftime of MLS Cup 2010 at BMO Field in Toronto.

FIRE TO HONOR HERO OF THE MATCH WHEN THEY WELCOME THE NAVY TO TOYOTA PARK

In honor of Chicago's official Navy Week, the Chicago Fire has invited Vice Admiral Peter Daley and the Navy Color Guard onto the field for the pregame presentation before the Fire vs. NY Red Bulls kickoff at 8:00 PM CT. During half-time, the Hero of the Match Chris Detje will be honored on the field at Toyota Park. Half-time presentations will also include the USS Chicago Sailors presenting the official USS Chicago Ball Cap to an honorary guest.

CHICAGO FIRE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH WINDY CITY WANDERERS FC

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced last Wednesday that Windy City Wanderers FC is now the Official Adult Recreational Soccer Club of the Chicago Fire.

The Chicago Fire and Windy City Wanderers partnership marks the first time that the Fire have directly partnered with an adult recreational soccer organization. The new partnership is an illustration of the two organizations' commitment to growing the sport of soccer in Chicago.

The Windy City Wanderers FC was founded in the summer of 2006. Starting as a small pickup club providing $1 games to the residents of Chicago, WCW has grown to be the largest adult soccer organization in Chicago. WCW provides Coed, Men's, Women's and Beach leagues, as well as weekly tournaments and pickup games. WCW also runs a successful luxury bus program from multiple city bars to Chicago Fire home games. It is WCW's mission to promote the sport of soccer throughout Chicago and helps adults of all skill levels and backgrounds play the beautiful game. For more information on WCW, please visit www.wcwfc.com.

FIRE IN THE NEWS

Early Surge Carries Fire Past Galaxy - Charlie Corr - ESPNChicago.com - August 1, 2010 http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire/post/_/id/484/early-surge-carries-f ire-past-galaxy

Ljungberg bolsters Fire attack -Len Ziehm - Chicago Sun-Times - July 31, 2010

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/soccer/fire/2552302,CST-SPT-fire31.articl e

Fire's Castillo tries to re-vitalize a once-hot career - Luis Arroyave - Chicago Tribune - July 28, 2010

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/ct-spt-0729-fire-castillo--2 0100728,0,6953662.story

CHICAGO FIRE TEAM WRITER, JEFF CRANDALL FEATURES ON CHICAGO-FIRE.COM

Winning Away in LA - August 2 http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/08/winning-away-la

LA's Familiar Face: Michael Stephens - August 1 http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/08/la%E2%80%99s-familiar-face

Super-20's Advance to North American Semifinal - July 30 http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2010/07/20%E2%80%99s-advance-semis

INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Individual game tickets for all 2010 MLS regular season Chicago Fire matches at TOYOTA PARK are now on sale. The Fire have individual tickets starting at just $22. For more information on any Chicago Fire ticket package please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or visit the club's official website at www.chicago-fire.com .

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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