MLS Chicago Fire FC

Undefeated Fire and Earthquakes Prepare for Clash Saturday at Cardinal Stadium

Published on May 5, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


MLS's only two undefeated teams will put their spotless records on the line Saturday night when the Chicago Fire (1-0-2) hosts April's MLS Player of the Month Landon Donovan and the rest of the San Jose Earthquakes (3-0-1) at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium at 7:30 p.m. CT. All seats for the home contest have been sold, however a limited number of standing room only tickets are still available. The game will be broadcast live via Chicago's radio stations- WBIG 1280 AM (English), WNTD 950 AM Radio Unica (Spanish) and WNVR 1030 AM (Polish).

Chicago holds the lead in the all-time series between the two squads by a slim 6-5-3 margin. The last few seasons in the series have held the line, with the Fire and Earthquakes drawing three times in the last five match-ups, including a pair of 1-1 ties in the last two contests in Chicago (5/26/02 and 5/26/01). The home team has enjoyed the majority of success in the series, evidenced by the Fire's 4-1-2 record in the Windy City and San Jose's 4-2-1 record at Spartan Stadium.

Armas, Beasley and Bocanegra Vs. Mexico

Chicago Fire midfielders Chris Armas and DaMarcus Beasley and defender Carlos Bocanegra were named to the U.S. National Team's 18-man roster last week in preparation for Thursday's international friendly against archrival Mexico at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX at 7:00 p.m. CT. The match will mark the return to National Team duty for the 30-year-old Armas. The Fire's new captain missed the last year of contests for the U.S. after tearing his right ACL in a match against Uruguay on May 12, 2002. Bocanegra will look to anchor the U.S. backline and raise his 2003 team-high total of six points (two goals, two assists), while Beasley expects to match his age by earning his 20th appearance for the Red, White and Blue. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, Telemundo and the Radio Unica network.

Razov Ready to Roll

Chicago Fire forward Ante Razov has battled injuries, surgeries and suspensions during the last six months, but he now appears ready to reclaim his usual position at the top of the Fire attack. Razov shook off the rust on Saturday by playing the full 90 minutes and tallying a pair of goals in his first game action since the MLS preseason, a 6-1 Fire victory over the ISSA Latin All-Stars. Razov was a game-time decision before the contest after suffering a left calf bruise during training last week, but the Fire's all-time leading scorer proved to be ready after creating numerous chances on goal and playing the duration of the match. After serving a three-game suspension for an incident in last season's MLS Cup quarterfinals against New England, Razov will be available for selection by Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan for the first time in 2003 when Chicago returns home to face the San Jose Earthquakes this Saturday at Cardinal Stadium at 7:30 p.m. CT. Razov has fared well against the 'Quakes, scoring 14 points on five goals and four assists in his 12 career games versus San Jose.

Chicago Fire ACE/Tru-Fit Injury Report

Marsch, Jesse - right fibula stress fracture - out
Selolwane, Dipsy - left fibula fracture and left dislocated ankle - out

Successful Return to Chicago

The Chicago Fire used a first-half hat trick by midfielder DaMarcus Beasley and a pair of goals from forward Ante Razov to streak past the ISSA Latin All-Stars by a 6-1 margin in an exhibition contest last Saturday at Flames Field on the campus of the University of Illinois - Chicago. Beasley tallied his goals in the 5th, 21st and 43rd minutes, helping the Fire to a 4-0 lead going into the halftime break. Rookie forward Nate Jaqua registered the Fire's fifth goal nine minutes deep into the second stanza, while Razov closed out the Fire's scoring spree on a 25-yard free kick in the 75th minute. Midfielder Justin Mapp also showed well in the victory, tallying a pair of assists while playing 45 minutes at both wide midfield positions. To see pictures from Saturday's match, check out the "Photo Gallery" section of www.chicago-fire.com.

Fire and Budweiser Team Up to Host 2003 Futbolazo and Hispanic Heritage Night Heroes Reception

This Thursday, May 8, the Fire will host the 2003 Futbolazo and Hispanic Heritage Night Heroes Reception at Dionises Restaurant, located at 510 N. Western Avenue in Chicago. Media are encouraged to attend the invitation-only reception, which begins at 5:30 p.m. CT, and stay for a presentation that begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. The event will be held to celebrate a partnership between Budweiser and three Futbolazo-sponsored community organizations: Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), El Valor, and Mexican American Police Organization (MAPO). Dionises will then open its doors to the public at 7:00 p.m. when it hosts a Fire/Budweiser sponsored viewing party for the highly anticipated friendly between the United States and Mexico. For more information on the event, please call 312-705-7211.

Thornton Already a Hall of Famer

While acknowledgement for his professional achievements will have to wait until retirement, Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton was recognized for his collegiate athletic performances over the weekend when he was inducted into the Loyola (Maryland) College Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday evening in Baltimore. Thornton, one of five members inducted in the "Class of 2003," is the only Loyola male student-athlete to earn All-American honors in two sports, garnering the honors twice in both soccer and lacrosse. Thornton was named a first-team All-American in soccer in 1993 after leading the NCAA in goals against average (0.42) and was a third-team All-American member in 1994. The MLS's all-time leader in wins (77), who also earned third-team and second-team All-American honors in 1994 and 1995 respectively as a midfielder on the Greyhounds' lacrosse team, is one of only 100 student-athletes inducted into the Loyola College Hall of Fame since it was established in 1978.

Greek Club Olympiakos to Face Fire in International Exhibition

The Chicago Fire announced last week that the team will host its first international friendly since the 2000 season by facing Greek First Division team Olympiakos Piraeus FC on Wednesday, June 4 at 8:00 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium at North Central College in Naperville, IL. Olympiakos is widely recognized as Greece's most popular side and is the country's most decorated squad, having won 31 Greek First Division titles, including the last six League crowns. The Fire's last international friendly took place against Chivas of Mexico on July 13, 2000.

Fire season ticket holders can use the "Bonus Game A" vouchers in their season ticket packages and tickets for the friendly are now available via Ticketmaster outlets by calling 312-559-1212 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or by visiting the Chicago Fire Box Office, located at 455 S. Brainard in Naperville, IL, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. CT.

Hot Ticket

Although one game has passed, it's not too late to order season ticket packages to see the Chicago Fire at home during the 2003 season. To order season tickets please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE or visit the Chicago Fire offices at 980 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1998, Chicago, IL 60611. Individual game tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets by calling 312-559-1212 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Chicago Fire Box Office, located at 455 S. Brainard in Naperville, IL, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. CT.

Etc.

* Chicago Fire defender/midfielder Orlando Perez continued to reap the rewards of his impressive effort in Chicago's 3-2 win over the Kansas City Wizards on April 26, this time from soccer fans visiting MLSnet.com. Perez's left-footed laser from 25 yards that started the Fire's second half comeback was voted the "Pepsi Goal of the Week" last Thursday after garnering 43% of the vote, narrowly edging defending MLS Budweiser Scoring Champion Taylor Twellman for the award. The heavy blast from "Flaco" is already garnering mention as a possible candidate for the 2003 Nickelodeon GaS MLS Play of the Year.

* With Chicago's 3-2 comeback victory at Kansas City on Saturday, April 26, Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan became seventh coach in MLS history to go undefeated in his first three contests. With his club's 1-0-2 start, Sarachan joined current MLS coaches Ray Hudson (D.C. United) and Steve Nicol (New England) and former coaches Bora Milutinovic and John Kolalski in a group of managers that have carried points out of their first three games at the helm.

* Cover Boy: Fire midfielder and U.S. international DaMarcus Beasley is featured in the May/June edition of Soccer Jr. Magazine, now available on newsstands.

* When he's not rising above the opposition to win headers, Fire defender Jim Curtin is using his head (and his hand) to pen a monthly article for www.chicago-fire.com. The first installment of Jim's "Curtin Call" series debuted last Friday and can be seen by clicking on the "Features" section of www.chicago-fire.com. The third-year Villanova product will release a new version of "Curtin Call" on the last Friday of every month, when he'll share his version of what it's like to be a player in MLS... and the sometimes strange tales that go hand-in-hand with it.

* The Chicago Fire Reserves kick off their third season on Saturday, May 10, when the defending PDL Great Lakes Division Champions travel to Des Moines to face the Menace. This is a USOC qualifying match and the first game for the Reserves in the Heartland Division. The Reserve's first home match is against the St. Louis Strikers on Friday, May 23 at St. Laurence H.S. in Burbank, IL at 7:30 p.m. CT. Visit www.firereserves.com or call 773-238-7060 for more information.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 5, 2003


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