The Chicago Fire (3-4-2, 11 pts.) meet Eastern Conference foe Columbus Crew (0-3-4, 4 pts.) in a first of three regular season meetings this Sunday night (6:00 p.m. CT) at TOYOTA PARK. The Fire are looking to snap a five-game winless streak after drawing 0-0 Real Salt Lake last Sunday in Bridgeview. The Crew are searching for their first road win of 2007, capping a winless month of May with a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC last Saturday. The Fire currently stand fourth in the East with 11 points, six points behind conference-leaders New England Revolution (5-2-2 17 pts.) and New York Red Bulls (5-1-2 17 pts.). Kick-off from 71st and Harlem starts at 6:00 p.m. CT and can be followed live on Chicagoland radio stations WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish) and WNVR-AM 1030 (Polish), and on television locally live on Comcast SportsNet and nationwide via the MLS Direct Kick Package.
Chicago Fire/AthletiCo "Recovery Room" :: May 29
Bedrossian, Pascal - L hamstring strain - PROBABLE
Brown, C.J. - R knee contusion - PROBABLE
Carr, Calen - R ankle sprain - PROBABLE
Gutierrez, Diego - L toe fracture - QUESTIONABLE
Mapp, Justin - R hamstring strain - QUESTIONABLE
Robinson, Dasan - R groin strain - PROBABLE
Rolfe, Chris - L ankle sprain - PROBABLE
Telesford, Osei - L groin strain - OUT
Thiago - R groin strain - OUT
Fire History vs. Crew
The Fire has enjoyed plenty of success against the Crew over its first nine seasons, compiling a 15-10-7 mark in regular season play against Columbus. The "Men in Red" have a leg up in games played at home as well, leading "America's Hardest Working Team" with an 8-5-3 mark in games contested in Chicagoland. The Fire split the 2006 season series 1-1-2, with unlikely scorer C.J. Brown's first goal in 201 regular season games proving to be the game-winner in a 2-1 win at Columbus (9/9). The Fire and Crew dueled to a pair of draws earlier in the 2006 season, a 1-1 stalemate in Ohio's capital city (4/15) and a 0-0 tie in Columbus' TOYOTA PARK debut (7/29). The lone Fire loss came in a heavy 4-1 defeat (10/07) at TOYOTA PARK in the 2006 regular season finale.
Columbus to Date
Coming off an emphatic 3-0 win over FC Dallas in the inaugural Pioneer Cup on March 11, Columbus looked like a much different team than the previous two seasons' Eastern Conference last-place finishers. What followed was a string of three-straight draws for the Crew, including crucial points at home against current conference-leaders New York Red Bulls (4/7) and New England Revolution (4/19). "America's Hardest Working Team" took a 1-0 win over D.C. United on April 28 at Crew Stadium, the side's lone victory for the 2007 campaign so far. With road losses against Conference foes Kansas City (5/5) and New York (5/19), the Crew are looking to pull away from its single point lead over last-place East dwellers Toronto FC. Columbus, like Chicago, has gone winless throughout the month of May, posting a 0-2-2 record in regular season competition during that time.
Changing the Curtins
Fans of the "Men in Red" may have done a double-take Sunday as veteran defender Jim Curtin, one of the few Chicago Fire players to play in every game leading up to this past Sunday, was sat by Head Coach Dave Sarachan in favor of his younger brother, sophomore defender Jeff Curtin, who subsequently earned his first MLS career start and first team minutes. Younger Curtin, a four-year Georgetown product, missed almost his entire 2006 rookie season due to a season-ending surgery to repair an athletic Pubalgia condition on 5/10/06. He and older brother Jim are the ninth set of brothers to make the ranks of MLS, and the second to do so as members of the Fire, joining Jamar and DaMarcus Beasley.
Soumare Sighting
Fire rookie defender Bakary Soumare, Chicago's first pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft (2nd overall) made his first appearance for the "Men in Red" during the final moments in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake. The 21-year-old University of Virginia product came on in the 79th minute to relieve midfielder Brian Plotkin. Soumare has worked his way towards first team minutes by proving himself in the Reserve Division, starting three games for a total of 270 minutes of reserve play.
Monteiro Signs, Makes MLS Debut
Chicago Fire Soccer announced May 23 the signing of rookie forward Jerson Monteiro, a Chicago first round selection (8th overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. In the Fire's 0-0 tie with Real Salt Lake on Sunday at TOYOTA PARK, Monteiro came off the bench to spell Justin Mapp in the 61st minute for his first MLS career minutes. A native of Luanda, Angola, Monteiro previously resided in the United States by way of political asylum status. He has since been cleared for permanent residency and will receive his green card as a result. Monteiro has been with the club since the preseason, while awaiting for final residency approval before playing an official Fire match. A four-year starter at UAB, Monteiro was a three-time All-Conference USA player with the Blazers, named to the First Team in 2006 and Third Team in 2003 and 2005. Monteiro notched 34 goals and 16 assists in 77 collegiate appearances, 74 of which were starts. He shined his brightest during his Senior season, when he scored a career-best 14 goals and seven assists in 20 contests.
Familiar Faces
Members of the "Men in Red" will find a few familiar faces in a counterpart role this Sunday as former Fire forward Andy Herron suits for the Black & Gold of Columbus. The Fire's Technical Staff traded Herron to the Columbus Crew in exchange for now-departed forward Ryan Coiner and the Crew's second overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft. Fire backup goalkeeper Job Busch is no stranger to the Crew, as the 30-year-old was let go by Columbus in the 2007 preseason. In four years in Columbus, Busch appeared in 84 regular season Crew matches (83 starts), and holds Crew goalkeeper records in minutes played (7,520), wins (35), saves (367), and shutouts (25). Fire second-year midfielder Brian Plotkin will recognize two faces especially, as Crew midfielders Ned Grabavoy and Danny O'Rourke both played with Plotkin in Indiana University's title run in the 2003 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.
Winless Streak Reaches Five Games
With Sunday's 0-0 scoreless result against Real Salt Lake at TOYOTA PARK, the Chicago Fire are now riding a fifth-straight winless game streak. The last time the "Men in Red" went winless in five successive regular season games came during the 2004 campaign, when the Fire lost at home versus Los Angeles (6/27) and at Columbus (7/3) before tying and losing to New England in a home-and-away series (7/11, 7/14) and then tying the MetroStars (7/17) en route to a nine-game MLS winless streak. Fire fans can be comforted though, as Chicago lost five-straight MLS regular season games in the club's inaugural 1998 season, a stretch from April 8 to May 2 that saw the expansion side slip from first in the Western Conference to fourth place at the time before eventually taking home MLS Cup title.
Willian Oliveira Signs, Notches First Career Minutes/Start
The latest signing for the Chicago Fire, Willian Oliveira, made his first MLS career start and registered 90 minutes of action last Sunday against Real Salt Lake. On Thursday, May 24, Oliveira came off the bench to mark his first ten minutes MLS play, following an announcement that same day that the club had signed the young Brazilian midfielder, acquired from W Connection of Trinidad and Tobago. The Fire used one of its six Discovery player slots to bring in Oliveira. Oliveira will be classified as a Youth International player (24 years and under) alongside Fire defender Osei Telesford of Trinidad and Tobago, and per MLS guidelines, he will count towards the Fire's 18-man senior roster. The 22-year-old has trained with the "Men in Red" since the month of March, joining the club late in preseason training. Oliveira joins the Fire having spent four years in the W Connection program, playing for both the U20 and senior W Connection squads. In January of 2007, he helped the "Savonetta Boys" to a Caribbean Club Championship after downing rival club San Juan Jabloteh 1-0. Oliveira has also played with Uniao Bandeirante Futebol Club and Esporte Clube Vitoria of Brazil.
Mapp Goes Gold
Fire midfielder Justin Mapp has been selected to the U.S. Men's National Team by head coach Bob Bradley to join the 23-man roster that will seek to defend their 2005 Gold Cup title. Mapp begin the 2007 campaign training with the U.S. squad and registered the game-winning assist in a 2-0 win against the national team of Denmark on Jan. 20, 2007. The 22-year-old Brandon, Miss. native has made four overall appearances with the senior national team, dating back to his first ever appearance for the Red, White, and Blue against Panama on Oct. 12, 2005. He will report to U.S. training camp in Carson, Calif. following the Fire game Sunday against Columbus.
Guerrero Goes Gold
Fire midfielder Ivan Guerrero has been tabbed to represent Honduras in the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup from June 6-24. Guerrero has been a constant fixture in the Honduras National Team starting line-up over the past eight years and was last called up for friendlies in late March of 2007. Guerrero has competed in the tournament before, starting in all five of Honduras' games in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, leading the country on a surprising run to the tournament's Semifinal round, scoring lone goal for the Blue and White on 7/21/05 versus the U.S. in a 2-1 loss.
Telesford Goes Gold Too
The "Soca Warriors" of Trinidad & Tobago have requested the services of Fire rookie defender Osei Telesford for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup from June 6-24.Telesford played the full 90 minutes in his first four caps for the Trinidad & Tobago Senior National Team in the Caribbean Digicel Cup in January of 2007. He was also capped for Soca Warriors' friendly against Costa Rica on 2/04/07 and has represented Trinidad & Tobago regularly at the U-20 and U-23 levels. His availability for T&T will hinge on his health status, as the native of San Juan, Trinidad recently picked up a left adductor strain with the Fire.
Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan
Now in his fifth season, head coach Dave Sarachan owns a career record of 54-48-31 (.523). Among MLS coaches, Sarachan ranks ninth all-time in winning percentage and 12th in overall wins. He has led Chicago to the postseason in three of the last four years, including an appearance in MLS Cup 2003. Under Sarachan's direction, the Fire have captured two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles (2003, 2006). Sarachan was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2003 after leading the Fire to the league's best record (Supporters Shield).
Spot Time for Bedrossian
Senior International Pascal Bedrossian re-aggravated the hamstring injury that hampered the attacking midfielder throughout parts of the 2006 season and this year's preseason. Last Sunday, the 32-year-old made his second start of the 2007 campaign, notching 36 minutes of play before being pulled out of the game due to the hamstring injury. The Marseille, France native has seen 165 minutes across six games played for the "Men in Red", logging his first career start in an MLS regular season game on 5-17 against FC Dallas for 63 minutes of play. Bedrossian came off the bench Thursday, May 24, at New York to provide an offensive spark in Chicago's 3-0 loss to the Red Bulls.
Marcelo Salas in Fire Camp
Chilean international José Marcelo Salas Melinao has accepted an invitation from the Chicago Fire to train with the Major League Soccer club later this week. Salas is expected to join the "Men in Red" for Thursday's training session and will work out with the Fire for an indefinite period. A left-footed striker, Salas brings a wealth of international experience. He has spent 11 years with the Chilean National Team, scoring a record 35-goals while earning 65 caps. In the 1998 World Cup, he scored four goals in four games. The 32-year-old Salas split time between Universidad de Chile (1993-96, 2005-06) and River Plate (1996-98), an Argentine First Division club. Nicknamed the El Matador, Salas also spent five years in Italy's Serie A, going to S.S. Lazio (1998-01) for an $18 million transfer fee before landing with Juventus (2001-03).
"We pleased to have someone of Marcelo's caliber in camp with us and we hope to make a decision regarding his possible signing in the near future," said Fire President/CEO John Guppy.
Sunday is Western Suburbs Night at TOYOTA PARK
In an effort to help the Naperville Area Humane Society (NAHS), the FireWorks for Kids Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire, and 95.9 FM "The River" are partnering in a ticket sales promotion for Western Suburbs Night this Sunday, June 3. For each Premier Seat ticket sold, Chicago Fire Soccer will donate $5 to the Naperville Area Humane Society. Additionally, 10-cents on every dollar of all ticket sales from the "The River" listening area - DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties - will also be donated. The night's events will include a special pre-game FireFest featuring two local bands, Firstreet from Naperville and Painkiller Hotel from Aurora, with "The River" broadcasting live from TOYOTA PARK. Also, a half-time recognition will highlight several of the many individuals who were instrumental in bringing the Fire to Cardinal Stadium and the Naperville community.
Sunday Night Promotions at TOYOTA PARK
Sunday night at TOYOTA PARK is packed with action both inside and outside the stadium grounds as Chicago Fire Soccer presents Western Suburbs Night. Gates open for FireFest at 4:30 p.m. CT, located just inside Gate B on the north side of TOYOTA PARK. The first 5,000 fans who enter will receive a complimentary Chicago Fire rally towel, courtesy of Comcast SportsNet - Chicago. Fans of the "Men in Red" should also be on the look out for the game's radio partner, 95.9 FM "The River" as the station broadcasts live from TOYOTA PARK throughout the evening.
Fire Premier Finish Three-Straight Road Contests
The Chicago Fire Premier of the Premier of the Premier Development League (PDL) recently wrapped up a three-game road stint, going 1-1-1 for the away stretch. The Premier suffered its worst defeat of the 2007 campaign last Saturday, May 26, falling 4-0 to the defending national champion Michigan Bucks. The PDL side drew 2-2 with the Toronto Lynx on Friday, May 25, led by goals from Neil Hlavaty (37') and Strider Elass (71'). With a 1-0 road victory over the West Michigan Edge on Wednesday, May 23, the Fire Premier notched the club's 100th win overall through regular season, playoff, and U.S. Open Cup contests. The Premier (2-1-2 8 pts.) currently sit third in the Great Lakes Division, just two points below first-place West Michigan Edge (3-0-1 10 pts.). The Fire's PDL side will take to the road this Friday, June 1, against the Cleveland Internationals at 7:00 p.m. CT for the first of three regular season meetings. The Fire Premier practice in Burr Ridge, near 74th and Wolf Road. For more information on the Chicago Fire Premier, please visit www.chicagofirepremier.com.
Fire Super-20's Grab First Win
The Chicago Fire Super-20 squad earned a 1-0 win over the Indiana Invaders in the team's first official match in TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, May 27 following the Chicago Fire first team match against Real Salt Lake. The Super-20s travel to Grand Rapids, Mich. on Thursday, May 31 to play the West Michigan Edge (5:00 p.m. CT). The Chicago Fire Super-20 squad practice at the two soccer fields in Burr Ridge near 74th and Wolf Road. For more information about the Fire Super-20, visit www.chicagofirepremier.com.
"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly" Radio Show - Brian Plotkin
"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly", a half-hour weekly soccer talk show, will air its next broadcast via WXAV 88.3 FM from the campus of Saint Xavier University (SXU) this Tuesday, May 29 at 6:00 p.m. CT, and each week throughout the rest of the Fire's 2007 MLS campaign. The show's host, Angelo Bonadonna and guest co-host Kevin Kellam will talk about the Fire's current form and the all things "Men in Red". This week's special guest will be Fire midfielder and Naperville native Brian Plotkin. Fans are encouraged to call in at 708.429.0463 to talk all things Fire-related - all live over the airwaves and the internet, with podcasts available through the Chicago Fire or WXAV subscriptions on iTunes. For more information visit www.wxav.com or www.chicago-fire.com.
FireWorks For Kids 2007 Golf Retreat Set for July 19-21
Join other loyal Fire fans for the all-inclusive FireWorks For Kids Foundation (FWFK) 2007 Golf Retreat at the spectacular Eagles Nest Ranch in Denver, Colorado this July 19-21. The ninth annual FWFK trip includes airfare, transportation, meals, accommodations for two nights, a new set of golf clubs, a ticket to the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star game at the new Dick's Sporting Goods Park, fishing, hiking, golfing and more. All proceeds from the annual Golf Retreat benefit the FireWorks For Kids Foundation. For more information or to request an invitation to attend the 2007 Golf Retreat, please contact the Foundation office at 708-496-6740 or e-mail at jyavitz@chicago-fire.com.
Join the Fire's Fight Against Malaria
Join Chicago Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez in the battle against malaria. Major League Soccer joined the effort against malaria through its community outreach initiative - MLS W.O.R.K.S. - collaborating with the Nothing But Nets and Malaria No More campaigns. For more information on malaria awareness and how to donate, log on to www.NothingButNets.net or www.malariaNOMORE.org.
Blanco Watch
Forward Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the Chicago Fire's Designated Player signing, finished his playing career with Mexican First Division side Club América in fine form, scoring a goal apiece in the two-game Final series of the Clausura campaign. On Friday, Blanco scored América's lone goal with an 82nd minute penalty kick in a 2-1 loss at home against Pachuca. In Sunday's return leg, Blanco struck again off a long-distance freekick in the 68th minute that knotted the aggregate goal tally at 2-2, before Pachuca tied the game at 1-1 with a series-winner in the 82nd minute for a 3-2 Pachuca Final victory. América took 1-0 semifinal wins over Chivas de Guadalajara on May 17 and May 20, with Blanco playing the full 90 minutes of each match. In the first game of a quarterfinal series on May 10, the "Aguilas" tied 3-3 at Atlas' Estadio Jalisco. Blanco notched two goals and an assist in the return leg on May 13 at Estadio Azteca, helping his club hand Atlas a heavy 4-1 defeat for a 7-4 aggregate victory. Overall, the native of Mexico City, Mexico tallied 9 goals and 6 assists through 1,710 minutes of action throughout 2007 Clausura season. Blanco will become an official member of the "Men in Red" on July 1 and will be eligible to play that day in Chicago's match-up with the Colorado Rapids at TOYOTA PARK (6:00 p.m. CT, Comcast SportsNet).
Quick Kicks vs. Crew
• Fire defender Jeff Curtin and midfielder Willian Oliveira made their first MLS career starts Sunday against Real Salt Lake, both playing 90 minutes.
• Chicago has allowed 11 total goals across the club's last five games.
• Former Fire forward Andy Herron tallied two goals in 38 minutes for the Crew in a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC last Saturday.
• The "Men in Red" lead the overall regular season series over Columbus with a sturdy 15-10-7 mark.
• Former Fire head athletic trainer Jason Mathews (2002-05) and assistant equipment manager Rusty Wummel (2006, 1999-02) are in their first season with the Columbus Crew.
• The Fire has two players with connections to Ohio - forward Chris Rolfe and defender Dasan Robinson. Besides being teammates for the Dayton Flyers during their collegiate days, the duo also hails from the Buckeye State - Rolfe growing up in Kettering, about 70 miles west of Columbus, and Robinson coming from the Cleveland suburb of Elyria. The Crew has two players on its roster that calls Chicagoland home, midfielder Ned Grabavoy (New Lenox, Ill.) and defender Jed Zayner (Orland Park, Ill).
• Current Fire backup and former Columbus Crew goalkeeper Jon Busch holds his former team's records against Chicago for wins (5), shutouts (3), and saves (49).
• The Fire's active leaders against Columbus are: Games Played & Started - C.J. Brown (28), Goals - Chris Rolfe (5), Assists - Chris Armas (6), Fouls Committed - Chris Armas (42), Fouls Suffered - C.J. Brown (28), Minutes Played - C.J. Brown (2,510), Shots - Justin Mapp (22), Shots On Goal - Chris Rolfe (14).
• Former Chicago goalkeeper Curtis Spiteri let in a club-record six goals in 45 minutes of second half play to the Crew on 10/3/06.
• A 0-0 stalemate between the Fire and Crew on July 29, 2006 at TOYOTA PARK remained Chicago's lone scoreless affair during the 2006 campaign. Factoring last Sunday's 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake into the Fire's 284 regular season matches, only 11 "Men in Red" matches have ended in a 0-0 tie.
• Caution Watch - Chad Barrett (2c), C.J. Brown (2c), Calen Carr (3c), Diego Gutierrez (2c, 1e), Jim Curtin (2c), Logan Pause (1c), Dasan Robinson (1c), Gonzalo Segares (3c), Thiago (1c).
