CHICAGO FIRE’S MARCO PAPPA WINS MLS GOAL OF THE WEEK

CHICAGO, IL (July 8, 2009) – Marco Pappa has earned his first MLS Goal of the Week win and second MLS Goal of the Week nomination after scoring his fifth goal of the season this past Saturday against the Colorado Rapids.  Pappa’s goal helped Chicago to end a 10-year winless streak against Colorado on the road.  Brian McBride sent a chest pass from the middle of the box out to the left side of the area for midfielder Baggio Husidic, who slipped a pass to Pappa at the top of the box.  Pappa sent a left-footed shot past Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens into the upper left corner of the net in the 30th minute for the Fire’s first goal of the match.

 The Fire will return to MLS action this Saturday, July 11th, against the Columbus Crew at TOYOTA PARK (ESPN2/Desportes, 7:00 p.m. CT).  For tickets please visit www.Chicago-Fire.com or call 1-888-MLS-FIRE.

ABOUT CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER
Chicago Fire Soccer was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer expansion team. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and was crowned the champion of U.S. Soccer’s national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. In June 2006, the Fire moved into its world-class home of TOYOTA PARK, located in Bridgeview, IL. 

ABOUT TOYOTA PARK
Located 15 minutes from downtown Chicago and minutes from Midway airport off of I-55 on Harlem Avenue, TOYOTA PARK is the Midwest’s preeminent outdoor live entertainment and sporting facility. Opened in 2006, TOYOTA PARK not only serves as the home of the Chicago Fire, but also hosts a variety of sporting events, special events and concerts by national and international artists. In 2009, artists ranging from Jimmy Buffett to Phish will perform live at TOYOTA PARK.