FIRE BEGIN FIRST LEG OF PRESEASON
The Chicago Fire players and staff reported to TOYOTA PARK last week for team physicals on Jan. 24 and 25, before departing for their first leg of preseason in Bradenton, Fla. today, Monday, Jan. 26. The Fire squad will train at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, the home of the U.S. U-17 Residency program, from Jan. 26-Feb. 11. While in Florida, head coach Denis Hamlett's squad will face the University of Central Florida (Sunday, Feb. 1), the Kansas City Wizards (Wednesday, Feb. 4), Puerto Rico Islanders (Saturday, Feb. 7), and Toronto FC (Tuesday, Feb. 10) during the club's first leg of training.
CHICAGO FIRE PRESEASON SCHEDULE - BRADENTON, FLORIDA
** Subject to change. Please call 708.496.6725 to confirm. All times Eastern.
• Jan. 26-11: IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
•Sunday, Feb. 1: Fire vs. University of Central Florida, 10:30 a.m.
•Wednesday, Feb. 4: Fire vs. Kansas City Wizards, 10:00 a.m.
•Saturday, Feb. 7: Fire vs. Puerto Rico Islanders, 11:00 a.m.
•Tuesday, Feb. 10: Fire vs. Toronto FC, 10:00 a.m.
THORRINGTON AND ROLFE COMBINE FOR 90 MINUTES WITH U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM
Fire midfielder John Thorrington started and played 61 minutes for the U.S. Men's National Team in their 3-2 exhibition match win over Sweden yesterday, Sunday, Jan. 25. Chris Rolfe came off the bench in the 61st minute to replace Thorrington and logged the remaining 29 minutes. Jon Busch was named to the 18-man roster, but U.S. Men's National Team head coach, and former Fire head coach, Bob Bradley chose to play Troy Perkins in the net for the match. The three Fire teammates will remain in camp with the national team as the group prepares for a World Cup Qualifier against Mexico on Feb. 11, in Columbus, Ohio.
FIREWORKS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2009 SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON
The FireWorks for Kids Foundation (FWFK) has announced that the 2009 Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon presented by Ticketmaster will be held on Tuesday, March 24 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel. Tickets for this year's Season Kickoff Luncheon are $65, with tables of 10 priced at $600, with all proceeds benefiting the FireWorks for Kids Foundation. As in the past, the first 20 full tables of 10 purchased will have the opportunity to sit with a Chicago Fire player. For more information about the 2009 Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon or to purchase tickets for the event, please call the FWFK Foundation at 708-496-6740.
FIRE TO FACE CLUB AMERICA
The Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer and Club America of the Mexican Primera Division announced that the two teams will compete for a Cup in a home-and-away series to be hosted at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and at TOYOTA PARK in Chicago. The matches will take place in 2009. More details about the upcoming matches will be announced in the coming weeks. Club America opened the 2009 Clausura tournament with a 2-1 win over Santos in Week One, and a 2-2 tie at home against Toluca in Week Two. The Eagles will next face Morelia on Friday, Jan. 30.
CHICAGO TO TAKE ON LOS ANGELES IN PHX SOCCER CLASICO
The Fire and Los Angeles Galaxy today announced that the teams will play their final preseason match, the PHX Soccer Clasico, on March 14, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. MT/8 p.m. CT. The Fire will travel to Arizona on March 11 for training on the Arizona State University campus prior to their game against the Galaxy. Tickets for the game will go on sale to the public on Feb. 4 and can be purchased online at
www.phxsoccerclasico.com
, by calling (480) 965-1000, or by visiting the Sun Devil Stadium Box Office during business hours. Individual tickets are $36 in advance or $40 at the gate.
American Airlines, the official airline of the Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer will extend fans a 5% savings off airfares to Phoenix, Arizona for travel between March 11 and March 17. Reservations can be made online at www.aa.com by entering A9439BD in the "promo code" box.
CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY WEEKLY AGENDA
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6725 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Date |
Location |
Time |
|---|---|---|
Tuesday, Jan. 27 |
Village of Bridgeview Golf Dome |
7:00pm - 9:00pm |
Thursday, Jan. 29 |
Village of Bridgeview Golf Dome |
7:00pm - 9:00pm |
Sunday, Feb. 1 |
Village of Bridgeview Golf Dome |
10:00am - 12:00pm |
The Academy will continue to train through the winter and returns to action in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy League in March.
CHICAGO TO FACE NEW YORK IN HOME OPENER
The Chicago Fire begin their 12th season of play in Major League Soccer against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Fire will host the New York Red Bulls for their home opener at TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. CT. Season Ticket Packages, including a limited supply of full season packages starting at $99, are available now by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or clicking on the TICKETS link on the club's official website,
www.chicago-fire.com
.
BLANCO'S 'DIRECTO AL BLANCO' RADIO PROGRAM TUESDAY
"Directo al Blanco" a full-hour live radio program hosted by Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco will air this and every Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. CT. Listeners are encouraged to call and talk to Blanco about the latest soccer-related news regarding the Chicago Fire, Major League Soccer, and the Mexican Primera Division. The show airs nationally on RadioCadena stations in Chicago (WRTO-AM), Las Vegas (KLSQ-AM), Los Angeles (KTNQ-AM), San Francisco (KLOK-AM), El Paso (KAMA-AM), San Antonio (KCOR-AM), Dallas (KFLC-AM), McAllen (KGBT-AM), Houston (KLAT-AM), New York (WADO-AM), and Miami (WQBA-AM).
