CHICAGO - The Chicago Fire (8-6-2, 26 pts.) will be looking to extend its unbeaten streak to three games tomorrow evening when it hosts defending MLS Cup winners D.C. United (5-4-4, 19 pts.) for the first time at Solider Field this season at 7:30 p.m. CT. The "Men in Red" will hope to give their former captain and second-year United Head Coach Peter Nowak a rude welcome back to the Windy City, while D.C. is expected to once again have the services of teenage star Freddy Adu, as he has returned to the club after finishing his stint with the U.S. Under-20 National Team at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Holland.
Fans that can't make it to the lakefront stadium can follow the action by tuning into WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish) or by visiting the Fire's official website, www.Chicago-Fire.com (English), where links for the Spanish and Polish language radio broadcasts can also be found. For ticket information on tomorrow's contest, please visit www.Chicago-Fire.com. Discount tickets are available for groups of 15 or more and can be secured by calling the Fire office at 1-888-MLS-FIRE.
Fans and Media Reminded to Use Ticket and Parking Pass #15 for Wednesday's Fire-United Match
With the few changes to the Fire's schedule over the second half of the season, fans and media members are reminded to pay close attention to the match numbers in regards to tickets and parking passes over the remaining eight home games this season. For season ticket holders, Wednesday's Fire-United match, originally scheduled for Sep. 24, will be Fire Match #15. Season ticket holders and media members are also reminded to use Parking Pass #15 for Wednesday's contest.
Chicago Fire vs. D.C United
Wednesday, June 29 @ 7:30 p.m. CT: Soldier Field - Chicago, IL
TV: None
Audio: WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish), WNVR 1030 AM (Polish), www.Chicago-Fire.com (English)
MLS Game Guide
Chicago Fire AthletiCo Injury Report
Capano, Craig - L torn ACL - Out
Pickens, Matt - R groin strain - Out
Thorrington - L hamstring strain - Out
Series History vs. D.C. United
The regular season series between Chicago and D.C. is as even as it gets, with both sides laying claim to a 9-9-4 record in League matches since 1998. However, the Fire has controlled the proceedings in the Windy City, as the "Men in Red" have posted a 6-2-2 mark against United in 10 Chicagoland contests entering Wednesday's clash. The Fire took one point out of two contests in the Nation's Capital this season, with the Fire earning a 1-1 draw on Apr. 9 before dropping a 4-3 heartbreaker less than two weeks ago on June 15. The Fire and United will round out their four-game season series on Aug. 6 at Soldier Field.
Armas and Sanneh Join U.S. National Team for Gold Cup Duty
Fire captain Chris Armas and D/M Tony Sanneh have departed Chicago for Portland, OR, where the duo has joined the rest of the U.S. National Team's 23-man roster for a week of training in preparation for the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will take place at seven venues across the United States from July 6-24. Both players will miss at least three League matches for the Fire beginning with tomorrow's match against D.C. United, but that number could reach five games should the U.S. qualify for the tournament's final.
Fire Getting the First Goal
The Fire set a club record last Sunday against Real Salt Lake by scoring the first goal of the match in its eighth straight contest, breaking a seven-game mark the team compiled from 9/6/00 - 5/5/01. The "Men in Red" have been able to hold on to most of those leads, going 5-2-1 during the eight-game stretch. The Fire has scored first in a League-high 11 contests this season (8-2-1). Only Colorado (10 games in 1998) and Los Angeles (1997-98) have had longer streaks.
Quick Kicks vs. D.C. United
