MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire to Finish First Leg of Pre-Season Against Toronto FC

February 9, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire will play their final preseason scrimmage this Tuesday, Feb. 10 against Toronto FC at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m. CT. The Fire are 2-1-0 in preseason play, falling only to the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 on Feb. 4. The Fire squad will train at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida until Wednesday, Feb. 11 before returning to Chicago. 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.

THREE FIRE PLAYERS TRAVEL FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS

Marco Pappa (Guatemala), Gonzalo Segares (Costa Rica), and Bakary Soumare (Mali) have joined their respective national teams in advance of World Cup Qualifiers and friendlies to be played this week. Bakary Soumare joined Mali for his first training camp with the senior national team in advance of a friendly against Angola on Tuesday, Feb. 10 (1 p.m. CT). If the Fire defender receives playing time in the match it will be his first senior national team "cap". Pappa has joined Guatemala for a friendly against Venezuela on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Gonzalo Segares has joined the Costa Rica for a World Cup Qualifier against Honduras in San Jose, Costa Rica (8:30 CT).

Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch and field players Chris Rolfe and John Thorrington were a part of the U.S. Men's National Team training camp preparing for the World Cup Qualifier against Mexico on Wednesday, Feb. 11 in Columbus, Ohio. The three Fire players were not named to the game day roster and will join the Fire for the second leg of preseason on Sunday, Feb. 15.

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, L (3-2)

Saturday, Feb. 7 Fire vs. Puerto Rico Islanders, W (1-0)

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

McBRIDE TO BE HONORED TONIGHT AT 21st ANNUAL COMCAST SPORTSNET AWARDS

Fire forward Brian McBride has been selected as an honoree for the 21st Annual Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards. The event honors one member from the Chicago Fire, Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox, as well as a Lifetime Achievement recipient and an Inspirational Athlete-an individual who has overcome his or her birth defect by excelling athletically. The awards dinner that benefits the March of Dimes will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet live, beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT. Since 1987, the event has raised more than 6 million dollars to support the March of Dimes' mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Past honorees have included Ed Belfour, Bobby Hull, Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Scottie Pippen, Mark Prior, Mike Singletary, Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, and many more.

CONDE JOINS CAMP

Fire defender Wilman Conde has joined the Chicago Fire preseason training camp in Bradenton, Fla. Conde's arrival was delayed as he awaited visa approval in Colombia. Last season, the Colombian defender appeared in 22 games for the Fire, scoring one goal and adding an assist.

U.S.A. WORLD CUP QUALIFIER VIEWING PARTY

The Fire are excited to host a viewing party for the U.S. Men's National Team World Cup Qualifier against Mexico at Fado Irish Pub (100 W Grand) on Wednesday, Feb. 11, beginning at 5:00 p.m. CT. Kickoff for the match is 6:00 p.m. CT. The Fire will provide free food, a free raffle with Fire prizes, giveaways, and much more.

Fire players Jon Busch, Chris Rolfe and John Thorrington were part of the U.S. Men's National Team training camp preparing for the match but were not named to the roster of players available for selection.

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.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 9, 2009


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