Fire Ready to Order Its "Philly Stake" During Friday's MLS SuperDraft
With the adidas MLS Player Combine finishing up in California over the weekend, the focus of American soccer now shifts to Philadelphia, where the 2006 MLS SuperDraft will take place in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center this Friday, Jan. 20. The 2006 MLS SuperDraft will begin at 11:00 a.m. CT, with the draft's first round to be broadcast live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel. The Chicago Fire will enter the 2006 MLS SuperDraft with five of the draft's 48 selections, including one first round pick, the 10th overall selection. The Fire currently holds three slots in the draft's second round - the 14th, 20th and 22nd overall selections - but will be forced to hand over one of those picks to FC Dallas to complete last year's draft day deal that sent goalkeeper Henry Ring to Dallas in exchange for last year's 29th overall pick. Chicago will round out the draft with its natural third round (34th overall) and fourth round (46th overall) selections.
An Original Returns as Fire Acquires Diego Gutierrez in Trade With Wizards
The Fire brought a familiar face back to its roster by acquiring the rights to veteran midfielder and "Fire Original" Diego Gutierrez in a trade with the Kansas City Wizards last Wednesday. In return, the Fire sent midfielder Will John and one of its three second round 2006 MLS SuperDraft selections (19th overall pick) to the Wizards. The trade brings the 33-year-old Gutierrez back to the Windy City, where he enjoyed a successful stint during the Fire's first four seasons from 1998-2001, helping the squad capture its first three domestic titles - MLS Cup '98 and the 1998 and 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup crowns. In all, Gutierrez has earned four championship rings, having also helped the Wizards to the 2004 U.S. Open Cup title, and played in six championships, having appeared in the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup Finals in 1998, 2000 and 2004.
Gutierrez left Chicago in 2001 near the top of the team's charts in several categories and still ranks in fifth on the Fire in career assists (26) and game-winning assists (7), in addition to tenth place in games started (80), corner kicks (60) and fouls suffered (134). The versatile left-sided player has registered 10 goals and 39 assists across his nine MLS seasons, during which he has appeared in 208 regular season contests, placing him tied with Real Salt Lake striker Jeff Cunningham for 17th on the League's all-time list in the category.
Forward Andy Herron Suspended for First Six Games of 2006 MLS Regular Season
The Major League Soccer Disciplinary Committee has announced that it has suspended Fire forward Andy Herron without pay for the first six games of the 2006 MLS regular season for actions that led to his red card in Chicago's 1-0 Eastern Conference Championship loss to New England Revolution on Nov. 6, 2005. The MLS Players Union has the right to appeal the suspension. Herron's suspension was imposed for unacceptable physical contact with the Referee Terry Vaughn and Assistant Referee George Gansner that led to his being sent off in stoppage time of the second half. Herron's actions in returning to the field of play after the end of the game also factored into the suspension. Under the terms of the CBA, the Players Union may submit an appeal to the Commissioner for any discipline imposed as a result of an on-field incident resulting in a fine $750 or higher and/or a suspension of two or more games. A suspension shall not be stayed pending appeal.
They Said It ...
"I'm truly honored to be back with the team. I think I'm stepping into a situation that I'm very blessed to be in. This a very competitive, very talented group of players that have certainly good leadership with Dave [Sarachan] and John [Guppy], and we have an unbelievable opportunity to bring silverware back to Chicago."
- Newly re-acquired midfielder and "Fire Original" Diego Gutierrez on his return to the "Men in Red"
Jaqua and Rolfe Hope Hard Work in Camp Pays Off With "Caps" Against Canucks
Fire forwards Nate Jaqua and Chris Rolfe continue to train with their fellow World Cup hopefuls under the direction of U.S. Manger Bruce Arena, as his U.S. Men's National Team camp heads into its third week at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. The hard work for Jaqua, Rolfe and other members of the predominately MLS-based 29-man camp will pay off for some this Sunday, Jan. 22 when the U.S. begins its 2006 campaign in earnest with a friendly against Canada at Torero Stadium in San Diego, CA (7:00 p.m. CT). Jaqua, Rolfe and the rest of the campers are preparing for a series of friendlies that will take place in January and February, but the ultimate goal of the players is to earn one of the few available spots on U.S. Manager Bruce Arena's 23-man roster that will represent the United States at the FIFA World Cup Finals in Germany this summer. The 24-year-old Jaqua will be looking to make his first career appearance for the senior Men's National Team on Sunday, while the 22-year-old Rolfe hopes to build upon his first "cap," which he earned in a substitute role in the U.S.'s last match, a 1-1 draw at Scotland on Nov. 12, 2005.
Will Johnson Strikes, Then Strikes Out for Canadian U-20s in Chivas Cup Play
Fire forward Will Johnson hit the back of the net before hitting the showers early during play for the Canadian U-20 National Team in a 3-1 loss to Chivas last Tuesday, the team's fourth of five games in the 2006 Chivas Cup youth tournament. In the starting line-up for the third time in four days, Johnson would provide the lone goal for the "Maple Leafs" in the contest in the 57th minute, when he hit paydirt on a 40-yard free kick that brought the Canadians back to within two goals. Any chances for more magic from Johnson would be eliminated in the 70th minute when he was sent off for a reckless challenge that forced him from the match and forced him to sit out of Canada's cup-ending 2-1 loss to Inter Milan the following day. Johnson ended the tournament with one goal and one assist in helping the Canadian U-20s to one win against four losses in the 24-team competition.
The 18-year-old Johnson stayed busy following the Chivas Cup by joining Canada's full senior side at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, where the "Maple Leafs" are conducting a two-week camp through this Friday, Jan. 20. After being named to the 19-man roster for the camp, the native of suburban Woodridge, IL, will be in line to make his second "cap" for Head Coach Frank Yallop's side when Canada takes on the United States in both teams' 2006 debuts this Sunday, Jan. 22 at Torero Stadium in San Diego, CA (7:00 p.m. CT).
Season Tickets for Inaugural Season at Bridgeview Stadium on Sale
The Fire has kicked off its public on-sale for 2006 Season Tickets at Bridgeview Stadium, giving fans the opportunity to choose their seats for the club's inaugural season at the new, world-class facility, located on the corner of 71st Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. Fans can pick out their seats by checking out the Bridgeview seating chart in the Ticket section at www.Chicago-Fire.com. For more information on the public on-sale and the Bridgeview Stadium project, please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE or visit www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Get Them While They're Hot! Club Seat Selection Process at Bridgeview Stadium Underway
Club seat selection for the Fire's inaugural season at Bridgeview Stadium for all current season ticket holders is now underway and the process is off to a flying start, with more than 70% of the three club sections already sold. Located at mid-field on the stadium's East side, the Fire's club seats offer the unique combination of the best sightlines for exciting Fire soccer and other special events and are perfect for entertaining clients, closing business deals, recognizing employees, or simply relaxing and enjoying the game. For a full list of all the benefits Bridgeview Stadium Club Seating has to offer, please contact the Fire's Premium Seating Department at 312-705-7230 or visit www.Chicago-Fire.com for more details.
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