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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire to Kick Off Team's Community Soccer Series May 21

May 15, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (May 15, 2009) - The Chicago Fire will launch its 2009 Chicago Fire Community Soccer Series on Thursday, May 21 at North Central College in Naperville, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The series will feature four free clinics throughout the summer that will be held in neighborhoods around Chicagoland. The clinics are open to athletes from around the community, ages 7-13. The series is designed to instruct young athletes on the technical elements of soccer, while educating them on physical fitness, health, and wellness.

The clinics, which will be instructed by Chicago Fire player development coaches, will be separated into groups by age with sessions tailored to the varying skills levels. Each athlete will receive a free goody-bag courtesy of UnitedHealthcare, Best Buy, Walgreens, V & V Supremo and Adidas. Also included will be a ticket voucher to a Fire game and a free clinic Chicago Fire t-shirt.

Each clinic will feature:

- A skills clinic featuring soccer drills, technique instruction, and mini-games

- A question and answer opportunity with two Chicago Fire players

- An exclusive autograph session with the two Chicago Fire players

The first clinic will be held on Thursday, May 21, from 5:30 - 7:30 at North Central College, located on 455 S. Brainard St., in Naperville and will feature a special appearance by Fire players Stefan Dimitrov and Baggio Husidic. The clinics are free, but space is limited to the first 200 registrants. Participants must register in advance by contacting the Chicago Fire Community Relations Department at (708) 496-6754.

"The clinics are a great way for the Fire to give back to the community by working one on one with kids from throughout the Chicagoland area," said Husidic, the Fire's top selection in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. "They'll provide kids with all sorts of tools and tips to improve their soccer skills, stay focused on their goals, and make the right kind of healthy lifestyle choices."

The remaining three clinics will follow in June, July, and August.

"This is a great opportunity for the Chicago Fire and the players to have direct contact with our young fans and to share the same kinds of advice and guidance that many of us were given growing up," said first-year forward Dimitrov.

On Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m. CT, the Fire will host Brimstone Cup rival FC Dallas for their final meeting this season. The Fire have a one game advantage in 2009 series, defeating Dallas 3-1 at Pizza Hut Park in the season opener on March 28. To purchase tickets please visit www.chicago-fire.com or call 1-888-MLS-FIRE.

ABOUT CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER

Chicago Fire Soccer was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer expansion team. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and was crowned the champion of U.S. Soccer's national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2006. In June 2006, the Fire moved into its world-class home of TOYOTA PARK, located in Bridgeview, IL.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 15, 2009


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