MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Take First Pre Season Match

Published on February 3, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire kicked off their 2009 campaign with a 5-0 win on Sunday, Feb. 1, in a preseason scrimmage against the University of Central Florida (UCF) at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. Goals scorers included Chicagoland native Brian McBride and trialist Stefan Dimitrov (two goals), Michel Mouncgue, and Idrissa Kone. The Fire squad will train at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida until Feb. 11 and will play three more preseason scrimmages against the Kansas City Wizards (Wednesday, Feb. 4), Puerto Rico Islanders (Saturday, Feb. 7), and Toronto FC (Tuesday, Feb. 10). Details about the Fire's second leg of preseason will be available soon. For more information about the Chicago Fire "On the Road to Opening Day" visit www.chicago-fire.com.

MARCO PAPPA JOINS CAMP

Fire midfielder Marco Pappa joined the Fire preseason training camp today after competing in the Copa de Naciones with the Guatemalan National Team. Guatemala competed for a position in this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup however; the team did not qualify, falling in all three matches. Pappa joined the Fire on loan from CSD Municipal on July 30, 2008 and appeared in six regular season games for the Fire during the 2008 MLS season.

CHICAGO FIRE PRESEASON SCHEDULE - BRADENTON, FLORIDA

** Subject to change. Please call 708.496.6725 to confirm. All times Eastern.

Jan. 26-11: IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Sunday, Feb. 1 Fire vs. University of Central Florida, W (5-0)

Wednesday, Feb. 4 Fire vs. Kansas City Wizards, 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, Feb. 7 Fire vs. Puerto Rico Islanders, 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 Fire vs. Toronto FC, 10:00 a.m.

BUSCH, ROLFE, AND THORRINGTON REMAIN WITH U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM

Fire players Jon Busch, Chris Rolfe and John Thorrington have been retained for the U.S. Men's National Team training camp in advance of a World Cup Qualifier against Mexico on Feb. 11 in Columbus, Ohio. Midfielder John Thorrington started and played 61 minutes for the USA in their 3-2 exhibition match win over Sweden on Jan. 24, while Chris Rolfe came off the bench in the 61st minute to replace Thorrington logging the remaining 29 minutes. Jon Busch was named to the 18-man roster for that match, but U.S. MNT head coach, and former Fire head coach, Bob Bradley chose to play Troy Perkins in the net for the match. The three players will rejoin the Fire for the second leg of preseason.

FIREWORKS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2009 SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON

The FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK) has announced that the 2009 Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon presented by Ticketmaster will be held on Tuesday, March 24 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel. Tickets for this year's Season Kickoff Luncheon are $65, with tables of 10 priced at $600, with all proceeds benefiting the FireWorks for Kids Foundation. As in the past, the first 20 full tables of 10 purchased will have the opportunity to sit with a Chicago Fire player. For more information about the 2009 Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon or to purchase tickets for the event, please call the FWFK Foundation at 708-496-6740.

FIRE TO FACE CLUB AMERICA

The Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer and Club America of the Mexican Primera Division announced that the two teams will compete for a Cup in a home-and-away series to be hosted at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and at TOYOTA PARK in Chicago. The matches will take place in 2009. More details about the upcoming matches will be announced in the coming weeks. Club America opened the 2009 Clausura tournament with a 2-1 win over Santos in Week One, and a 2-2 tie at home against Toluca in Week Two. In Week Three, Club America fell to Morelia 1-0, but the Eagles have a chance to regain ground on Sunday, Feb. 8 when they face Pachuca.

CHICAGO TO TAKE ON LOS ANGELES IN PHX SOCCER CLASICO

The Fire and Los Angeles Galaxy today announced that the teams will play their final preseason match, the PHX Soccer Clasico, on March 14, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. MT/8 p.m. CT. The Fire will travel to Arizona on March 11 for training on the Arizona State University campus prior to their game against the Galaxy. Tickets for the game will go on sale to the public on Feb. 4 and can be purchased online at www.phxsoccerclasico.com, by calling (480) 965-1000, or by visiting the Sun Devil Stadium Box Office during business hours. Individual tickets are $36 in advance or $40 at the gate.

American Airlines, the official airline of the Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer will extend fans a 5% savings off airfares to Phoenix, Arizona for travel between March 11 and March 17. Reservations can be made online at www.aa.com by entering A9439BD in the "promo code" box.

CHICAGO TO FACE NEW YORK IN HOME OPENER

The Chicago Fire begin their 12th season of play in Major League Soccer against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Fire will host the New York Red Bulls for their home opener at TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. CT. Season Ticket Packages, including a limited supply of full season packages starting at $99, are available now by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or clicking on the TICKETS link on the club's official website, www.chicago-fire.com.

BUFFETT RETURNS TO TOYOTA PARK

After the success of last summer's two TOYOTA PARK concerts, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band will return to the stadium again this summer for two more unforgettable concert experiences as part of the "Summerzcool" Tour 2009. The concert dates are set for Saturday, Aug. 8 and Saturday Aug. 15. The seating setup at the stadium will be similar to last year's concerts, as all seats will be reserved both on the field and in the stadium bowl. Tickets will go on sale for both dates on Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. CT through all Ticketmaster outlets including the TOYOTA PARK box office, Tickemaster.com, and by calling (800) 745-3000. For more information visit www.toyotapark.com.

BLANCO'S ‘DIRECTO AL BLANCO' RADIO PROGRAM TUESDAY

"Directo al Blanco" a full-hour live radio program hosted by Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco will air this and every Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. CT. Listeners are encouraged to call and talk to Blanco about the latest soccer-related news regarding the Chicago Fire, Major League Soccer, and the Mexican Primera Division. The show airs nationally on RadioCadena stations in Chicago (WRTO-AM), Las Vegas (KLSQ-AM), Los Angeles (KTNQ-AM), San Francisco (KLOK-AM), El Paso (KAMA-AM), San Antonio (KCOR-AM), Dallas (KFLC-AM), McAllen (KGBT-AM), Houston (KLAT-AM), New York (WADO-AM), and Miami (WQBA-AM).

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 3, 2009


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