Sports stats



MLS Chicago Fire FC

Gray and Capano to Battle the Germans

November 25, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team head coach Glenn "Mooch" Myernick announced his 23-player roster last week for the annual Nike Project-40 fall foreign tour, which started this weekend and will continue through Dec. 6, consisting of six matches against reserve teams from some of the top clubs in Germany and Holland. The roster features Fire defender/midfielder and 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year finalist-and U-23 captain-Kelly Gray, Fire midfielder and current Nike Pro-40 player Craig Capano, and Fire assistant coach Daryl Shore, who will serve as the squad's goalkeeper coach. An exclusive interview with Gray will be available on Tuesday, Nov. 26 by visiting www.chicago-fire.com.

The Pro-40s will face the reserve teams from a pair of German Bundesliga clubs this week - vs. Monchengladbach tomorrow (Nov. 26) and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (Nov. 27). The team will then travel to Holland for an exhibition against reserves from PSV Eindhoven of the Dutch Honor Division on Thursday (Nov. 28). The Pro-40 squad will have a four-day break from matches to train in Dusseldorf before relocating to Holland for a second string of three consecutive games against reserve teams next week: vs. FC Utrecht on Dec. 3, Volendam on Dec. 4 and conclude the tour with a second match with PSV on Dec. 5.

Fire Academy's "Talent Viewing" a Success

The Chicago Fire Youth Academy had over 100 boys try out for its "Talent Viewing" sessions for the city training group over the weekend at Carbajal Park in Cicero, IL. The sessions were separated into age groups with U-9 through U-16 being evaluated. Fifty of the boys who participated in the sessions will be invited to the Fire Academy and will begin training in January 2003...The Academy has had over 300 boys try out in a span of only two weeks (combined with the North and West training group sessions held on Nov. 9 and 10)...For more information on the Academy, contact Roland Hahn, Director of Fire Academy Administration at (312) 705-7212.

Coach Sarachan Opens Up

On Nov. 4 the Chicago Fire announced Dave Sarachan as the second head coach in the team's five-year history. The first full-time assistant to U.S. National Team Head Coach Bruce Arena, Sarachan helped orchestrate the U.S. Men's National Team qualification and historic quarterfinal run at this year's FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan. He recently opened up about his new challenges ahead, his thoughts on the Fire's current roster, and his new home.

What attracted you to your new head coaching position at the Fire?

Well, one was the opportunity to coach a team that has been one of the hallmarks of the league in terms of organization and competitiveness. Chicago is also an exciting market. Piecing that together just proved it was a great opportunity to take over the team. Having a talented roster is always an attraction, but there's a comfort level knowing these guys for a couple of years.

How comfortable are you with this roster having worked with many of the Fire players with the National Team?

It's a big help. Chicago has the most players that I have had contact with on the national team. It's a big help to me. Having a lot of familiar faces and people that I have begun relationships with. It is a big help.

Which young Fire players most stand out to you?

Clearly a guy like Carlos Bocanegra is coming off a great year in a difficult situation. Carlos is that next generation of good young players coming through the national program. I would put DaMarcus (Beasley) in that category as well. These are guys that are continually improving. The guy in my mind that is the heart and soul of the organization is Chris Armas. Whether he is with the National team or with the Fire, he gives anything he can give. He has that special leadership quality in him.

Will you be doing any scouting overseas?

Not at the moment, no.

What is your biggest project right now?

Our roster. What the shape and look of the roster will look like after the first of the year. As any coach in the league will do, you look at the past year, you look at the current roster, and you look at what you need.

What are you most looking forward to in Chicago?

I'm looking forward to being around one of the great cities in the U.S. There are so many opportunities with culture, arts, and it is a phenomenal sports town. Also, the prospects for my kids with those experiences. In my mind, it has always been one of the great soccer cities. It has a diverse makeup of people and clubs.

Hot Ticket

The Chicago Fire has put season tickets on sale with a return to Cardinal Stadium at North Central College in 2003, while the renovation of Soldier Field continues. The Fire also announced that it is holding the line on individual ticket prices with the exception of a $2 increase on the south end reserved FireHouse seats. The range of ticket prices will continue to be $15 for the general admission Supporters Section to $35 for the VIP Gold. Discounts up to $3 per ticket are available for season and group purchase for the Fire's 14-game MLS regular season, plus any additional Open Cup, exhibition and playoff matches. Season ticket prices per game will range from $12 per game for the Fire's "Supporters Section" to $32 for the "VIP Gold" section.

Etc.

* Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure late last week to remove damaged cartilage from his left knee. Beasley is expected to be out for 8-10 weeks.

* The Fire is sponsoring the 5th Annual Naperville Noon Lions' Turkey Trot, a 5K run through the streets of Naperville on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 28. The race, which starts at 8:00 a.m. (CT) at Cardinal Stadium, will serve as a fund-raiser to help support programs for local charity organizations.

* The FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK) - the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire - this year awarded over $46,805 in grants and contributions to several Chicagoland-based organizations, including Chicago Scores, Eugene Field Elementary School, Family Focus, Naperville Humane Society, National Safety Council, and STEP, Inc.

* The Fire's Mexican sister team, Monarcas Morelia, tied 2-2 with UNAM Pumas in the regular season finale last Sunday in Morelia. The Fire's friendly mascot Sparky helped lead cheers (see pictures at www.fuerzamonarcas.com /'La Fiesta ya dio incio') at a sold-out Morelos Stadium. Monarcas finished first in its division (Group 3) and fourth overall in the Mexican League standings with a 9-5-5 record and 32 points. They will face Tecos in the first leg of the quarterfinals, set for Dec. 4 at 4:00 p.m. (CT) at Tecos' UAG Stadium. The second leg of the series will be played on Dec. 7 at Morelos Stadium.

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from November 25, 2002


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