MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Teams Up with Hispanic Businesses

Published on May 14, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Wednesday, May 14, 2003) - The Chicago Fire has announced partnerships with several organizations in an effort to reach out to the growing number of Hispanics in the Chicagoland area. Budweiser Futbolazo, Chicagoland & Northwestern Indiana Chevy Dealers Association, El Grafico-USA and several Hispanic soccer leagues are all forming an alliance with the city's Major League Soccer team through the 2003 season.

"The Fire is proud to partner with such distinguished entities like Budweiser Futbolazo, the Chicagoland & NW Indiana Chevy Dealers Association, El Grafico, and the Hispanic soccer leagues and organizations," said Chicago Fire Senior Hispanic Marketing Manager Carlo Castilla. "The programs we manage jointly are an integral part of our plans to have a positive impact in the community and to help develop soccer in the underserved Hispanic community."

This season the Fire enters its third year of supporting Budweiser Futbolazo, an initiative that donates $500 to non-profit organizations each time the Fire scores a goal at a specific game. The 2003 recipients of Budweiser Futbolazo are: Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement- HACE, Mexican-American Police Organization- MAPO, and El Valor. Each organization will be recognized at a Fire home game in 2003.

The Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers Association will be supporting Chicago Fire grassroots initiatives in the Hispanic community and taking advantage of hospitality opportunities at Cardinal Stadium at North Central College. In addition, the Chevy Dealers Association will promote its vehicles via the Fire's media partners, including WNTD Radio Unica AM 950 and Fox Sports Net Chicago.

El Grafico-USA has become a promotional partner with the Fire this season. A sister publication of El Grafico-Argentina, the number one sports magazine in South America, El Grafico-USA is based in Miami with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles. The bimonthly, glossy publication covers all professional sports with an emphasis in soccer.

"El Grafico- USA is proud to become the first official Spanish-language magazine of the Chicago Fire," said Nelson Da Silva, Midwest Regional Manager for El Grafico-USA. "This is an important development as we seek to promote and develop the sport of soccer in the United States."

The Fire would like to acknowledge the following soccer organizations for their continued support in the development of soccer throughout Chicagoland: Atlas Soccer Club, CLASA (Chicago Latin American Soccer Association), Melrose Park Proviso Youth Soccer League, Fox Valley Suburban Soccer League, Fox Valley/Aurora Park District Soccer League, Inter-American Soccer League, HISPANO Soccer League, Waukegan Soccer League, Lake County Soccer League, CASA (Central American Soccer Association), Glenview Park District Soccer League, Escuela Filial Pachuca, and SAY Chicago.

Also in 2003, the following organizations will work with the Chicago Fire to benefit the Hispanic community of Illinois: Federación de Clubes Michoacanos en Illinois- FEDECMI, Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement- HACE, Aurora East Public Schools- District 131, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Gift of Hope- Tissue and Organ Donation, Waubonsee Community College and Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois- HLAI.

Currently in its sixth Major League Soccer (MLS) season, the Chicago Fire was founded on October 8, 1997 as an expansion team. The Fire captured the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in the team's inaugural season in 1998. The Fire also won the 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and 2000 and 2001 MLS Central Division titles.

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from May 14, 2003


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.

OurSports Central