BRIDGEVIEW, IL - The Chicago Fire Premier (CFP) of the Premier Development League (PDL) is set to open its 2007 campaign Wednesday, May 16, at 4 p.m. CT on the TOYOTA PARK practice field as they take on the Indiana Invaders. The game will double as both a league match and the first of four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifying matches.
The Fire Premier and the Invaders, both of the Great Lakes Division of the PDL Eastern Conference, are scheduled to match up three times during the 2007 PDL season. The Fire Premier and the Invaders met twice in 2006 with the Premier capturing both victories.
Last season, the Fire Premier posted a record of 14-2-0 for 42 points and took the PDL Division title for a sixth consecutive year. This year, first-year CFP head coach Larry Sunderland will look to continue the success of previous years' teams while remaining committed to the development of the team's players. For the 2007 campaign the Fire Premier will return David Roth (Northwestern), Drew Ratner (Northwestern), and Neil Hlavaty (Boston College).
Over the Fire Premier's first six years, more than 59 former players have gone on to play professionally in the United States and in Europe. Among these players are Fire favorites: Chris Rolfe, Matt Pickens, Dasan Robinson, and Brian Plotkin.
The Fire Premier will play their 2007 home games at several different locations around the southwest suburban Chicagoland area, including two games at TOYOTA PARK in Bridgeview, Ill.
About the Premier Development League
The Premier Development League (PDL) is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) in the United States and Canada. The 2007 campaign features a 63-team format within four conferences, consisting of 16 regular season matches - eight home and eight away. The schedule is augmented by participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and various exhibitions. Players have the ability to compete in the PDL throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is a training ground for players that aspire to reach the highest levels of the game.
About the Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier is an amateur U-23 team competing in the Great Lakes Division of the United Soccer League's PDL. Since their inception in 2001, the Fire Premier has established a reputation for excellence, winning Division Championships in each of its six seasons. The Chicago Fire Premier is an independent organization owned and operated by Amadan Soccer LLC and is affiliated with Chicago Fire Soccer. The Premier is led by first-year head coach and technical director Larry Sunderland.
For more information about the Chicago Fire Premier, please visit www.chicagofirepremier.com.
Fire Premier Roster (As of May 15)
PLAYER HOMETOWN DATE OF BIRTH COLLEGE
Strider Elass Wheaton, IL 12/15/85 Wheaton College
Geoff Fallon St. Louis, MO 01/13/87 Northwestern
Iradj Faranmand Northbrook, IL 02/26/86 Loyola
Ryan Handbury Alsip, IL 05/27/87 Dayton
Neil Hlavaty Lombard, IL 12/27/86 Boston University
Nikola Katic East Peoria, IL 06/01/86 Illinois Central
Keum Sung Kim Arlington Heights, IL N/A Loyola
Kyle Knotek Geneva, IL 02/19/88 Northern Illinois
Ross LaBauex Chicago, IL 12/05/88 Virginia
Isaac Lee Lincolnwood, IL 09/09/85 North Park
Marcus McCarty DeKalb, IL 02/13/86 Northern Illinois
Rauwshan McKenzie Hoffman Estates, IL 11/19/86 Michigan State
Matt Pyzdrowski Hinsdale, IL 08/17/86 Marquette
Drew Ratner Dallas, TX 10/16/85 Northwestern
David Roth St. Louis, MO 12/04/85 Northwestern
Chris Rufa Downers Grove, IL 08/20/85 Northern Illinois
Chris Schular Aurora, IL N/A Creighton
Patrick Sperry Hinsdale, IL 12/13/86 Michigan
Matthew Stukenberg Aurora, IL 06/10/82 Northern Illinois
Matt Wieclaw Chicago, IL N/A Western Illinois
Matthew Witt Wheaton, IL 12/09/85 Northwestern
