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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Set Sights On Superliga 2009 Final Against Tigres UANL Wednesday

August 4, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Aug. 4, 2009) - The Chicago Fire are ready to battle Tigres UANL of the Mexican Primera Division in the SuperLiga 2009 Final this Wednesday, Aug. 5th at TOYOTA PARK. (7 p.m. CT, TeleFutura) The Fire are just one win away from hoisting the SuperLiga trophy and winning one of the biggest purses in the region. After posting a 3-1-0 record through the SuperLiga 2009 tournament's group play and semifinals, the Fire have set their sights on the SuperLiga 2009 Final. The Fire will have their work cut out for them in this championship match as Tigres is the only team that defeated the Fire throughout the tournament. The two teams previously met in the final game of group play on June 26 when the Fire fell 2-1 to their opponent at TOYOTA PARK.

The Fire secured a position in the SuperLiga semifinals with a record of 2-1-0 and a goal differential of +1 in Group A. With their win over the Fire, Tigres UANL took the top spot in Group A and advanced to the semifinals of the tournament as well. The Fire defeated the defending SuperLiga champion and 2009 Group B top seed, New England Revolution 2-1 in their semifinal match to earn a spot in the Final. Tigres UANL advanced to the Final of the tournament in their first year as well with a 3-2 win over Santos Laguna.

The winner of Wednesday night's match will be presented with the SuperLiga trophy following the match at TOYOTA PARK in a formal trophy presentation ceremony. Should the Fire win, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber and President Mark Abbott will present the trophy on the field following the match.

The Fire are competing for the first time in the third annual competition, which pits top soccer teams from Mexico and MLS against each other for local bragging rights and one of the biggest purses in the region. For more information about the SuperLiga tournament, visit www.superliga2009.com.

SUPERLIGA 2009 SCHEDULE

**Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6725 or 6726 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.

Tuesday, Aug. 4 Fire Training at TOYOTA PARK stadium field - 9 a.m.*

Tigres UANL Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field - 8:30 a.m.*

Wednesday, Aug. 5 CHICAGO FIRE vs. TIGRES UANL - SUPERLIGA FINAL - TOYOTA PARK - 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug 6 Fire Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field - 10 a.m.

*Training will be closed to the media with the exception of the last 15 minutes. Players and coaches will be available for interviews at the end of practice. Please contact the Fire Communications for further information or to schedule interviews.

TIGRES UANL COMING OFF 3-1 WIN OVER CHIVAS de GUADALAJARA IN WEEK TWO

Tigres UANL is coming off a big 3-1 win over Chivas de Guadalajara week two of league play. Tigres scored the first goal of the match early with a goal in the fifth minute by "Kikin" Fonseca and then doubled their lead in the 34th minute with a goal courtesy of Itamar Batista. Chivas got on the board with a header goal from Javier Hernandez in the 50th minute, but in the 61st minute, Batista scored an insurance goal for Tigres with his second goal of the match. Tigres is undefeated in the Apertura 2009 tournament with a record of 1-0-1. Tigres tied Puebla at home in week one with a free kick goal from Lucas Lobos and Puebla getting a goal from a penalty kick by Carlos Ruiz.

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

Tickets for the SuperLiga 2009 Final in Chicago, are on sale now starting at just $22. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.chicago-fire.com, through the TOYOTA PARK box office, or by calling 888-MLS-FIRE. Groups of 15 or more can receive group rates by contacting the Chicago Fire at 888-MLS-FIRE or emailing tickets@chicago-fire.com.

TIGRES UANL SUPERLIGA 2009 FINAL ROSTER

Below are the 30 Tigres players that are available for selection on Wednesday -

1 Cirilo Saucedo GK 27

3 José Antonio Castro DF 28

4 Jesús Molina FW 21

5 José Alfredo Gonzalez Tahuilan DF 29

6 Jonatan De León FW 22

8 Lucas Emmanuel Ayala MF 30

9 Emmanuel Cerda FW 22

10 Nicolas Fernandez FW 25

11 Itamar Batista FW 28

13 Antonio Sancho MF 33

14 Manuel Viniegra FW 21

15 Edgar Castillo DF 22

16 Lucas Lobos MD 28

17 David Toledo MD 27

18 Francisco Acuña MD 21

19 Fernando Ortiz DF 31

21 Enrique Palos GK 23

23 Javier Saavedra MD 36

24 José Rivas DF 24

25 Mario Ruiz DF 32

26 José Francisco Fonseca FW 29

27 Alejandro Villalobos MD 25

28 Juan Pablo García MD 27

30 Áaron Fernández GK 21

31 Armando Pulido FW 20

32 Israel Jiménez DF 26

33 José Cabrera FW 19

34 Alan Pulido FW 18

35 Jorge Valencia DF 18

45 Jesús Dueñas MD 20

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 4, 2009


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