CHICAGO FIRE WEEKLY UPDATE
FIRE COULD CLINCH A 2009 PLAYOFF SPOT THIS THURSDAY
Just one game remains in the Chicago Fire’s Major League Soccer regular season, and the team will be squarely focused on clinching a position in the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 seasons. Columbus, Chivas USA, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Houston have all clinched a place in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs but the Fire could be the next to earn that honor Thursday night as the team face Chivas USA at TOYOTA PARK (7 p.m., ESPN2/Deportes).
Chicago Fire will clinch a 2009 MLS Cup playoff spot and the second see in the Eastern Conference with a win or tie against Chivas USA.
CHICAGO FIRE TO FACE CHIVAS USA FOR REGULAR SEASON FINALE
The Chicago Fire and Chivas USA have lined up against each other nine times and have posted an all-time league record of 4-4-1. The Fire won their first match up against the LA based club with a 3-2 win at The Home Depot Center on May 28. The win was the Fire’s third consecutive road win during a three game road stand, and the extended their undefeated streak to team record 11 games. The Fire lost their next match against FC Dallas to end that undefeated streak.
On May 28, Chivas USA opened scoring with a goal courtesy of Paulo Nagamura in the 16th minute of play, but the Fire capitalized on a penalty kick opportunity in the 24th minute as Chivas defender Shavar Thomas dragged Wilman Conde down in the box on the six-yard line. Blanco lined up for the penalty kick and placed the ball in the left side netting past former Fire keeper Zach Thornton to bring the game to 1-1. Chivas again took the lead in the 32nd minute with penalty kick goal from Maykel Galindo, but the Fire again equalized late in the second half as Patrick Nyarko ran onto a loose ball in the box and finished on a shot to bring the score to 2-2. With just seconds left in the match, the Fire were awarded a penalty kick and Blanco finished on his second opportunity of the night for the game-winner.
5/28 at CHV 3-2 W (Nagamura, Blanco, Galindo, Nyarko, Blanco)
10/22 vs. CHV (7 p.m. CT) ESPN2/DEPORTES
FIRE TO INDUCT CHRIS ARMAS INTO “RING OF FIRE” HALL OF FAME AT THURSDAY’S GAME
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that former Fire midfielder Chris Armas will be inducted into the prestigious “Ring of Fire” Hall of Fame on October 22, 2009. The induction will take place during a halftime ceremony at the Fire’s final 2009 regular season contest against Chivas USA. Armas joins current “Ring of Fire” members: former Fire captain Peter Nowak, former Fire player and current Fire technical director Frank Klopas, former Fire defender Lubos Kubik, the Fire’s first General Manager Peter Wilt, and former Fire head coach and current U.S. Men’s National team head coach Bob Bradley.
In attendance for the induction will be current “Ring of Fire” members: Chicago Fire technical director Frank Klopas, U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley, Philadelphia Union head coach Peter Nowak, and Milwaukee Wave President/CEO Peter Wilt.
FIRE WINLESS IN LAST SIX MATCHES
The Fire are looking to find the win column and pick up three points for the first time since their Aug. 23rd match against the Colorado Rapids at home in TOYOTA PARK. The Fire are winless in their last six matches, posting three losses and three ties through that span.
Last season, the Fire finished out their regular season with a 2-2-2 in their last six matches before reaching the Eastern Conference Final in 2008 playoffs.
Chicago Fire Attack: 38 goals / 36 assists
Brian McBride – 7 goals / 2 assists
Chris Rolfe – 6 goals / 1 assists
Cuauhtémoc Blanco – 5 goals / 8 assists
Marco Pappa – 5 goals / 4 assists
CHICAGO FIRE WEEKLY AGENDA
Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6725 or 6726 to confirm training schedule.
Wednesday, Oct. 21 CLOSED**
Thursday, Oct. 22 CHICAGO FIRE VS. CHIVAS USA – TOYOTA PARK – ESPN2/DEPORTES- 7 p.m. CT
Friday, Oct. 23 Fire Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field – 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24 OFF
Sunday, Oct. 25 TBD
Monday, Oct. 26 TBD
**Media interested in attending training should contact the Chicago Fire Communications Department for player/coach availability.
CHICAGO FIRE/ATHLETIC “RECOVERY ROOM”
**as of Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009
OUT:
John Thorrington – Pubalgia [Sports Hernia]
DOUBTFUL:
Tim Ward – Fractured metatarsal
QUESTIONABLE:
Wilman Conde – Right Hip Contusion
Gonzalo Segares – Left Knee Sprain
PROBABLE:
None
FIRE TO PLAY LAST REGULAR SEASON MATCH AT HOME
After completing a successful season on the road this year, which included the lowest number of road losses in team history with three, the highest number of road goals across the league in 2009 (23 goals), and the best road goal differential across the league so far in 2009 (+2), the Fire return home for their final match of the 2009 regular season. Through the Fire’s previous 14 home games, the team has scored the fewest home goals in the league with just 15 and have won the fewest games at home as well with just four (tied with New York and Kansas City). Despite the team’s home struggles, the Fire have allowed half as many shots on goal (80 shots faced in away games, 53 shots faced in home games), forcing goalkeeper Jon Busch to make half as many saves in home games this season (37 home saves and 63 saves on the road). Through their last five home games, the team has posted a record of 1-2-2, scoring seven goals despite being shutout twice (by the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United).
FAMILIAR FACES AGAINST CHIVAS USA
Former Fire Striker Ante Razov: Signed as a discovery 3/2098 as a marquee replacement for an injured Josh Wolff. Posted a club leading 76 goals in 155 regular season games played and a club leading 10 goals through Fire playoff games. Razov still leads the Fire regular season records in goals (76), game-winning goals (23), game-winning assists (15), shots (617), shots on goal (312), hat tricks (2), multi goal games (16), and PK goals (12). Razov was traded to Columbus for Tony Sanneh in 2005 and later traded to New York (2005) before joining Chivas USA in 2006.
Former Fire Defender Jesse Marsch: Joined Chicago in January of 1998 in a trade with D.C. United. Appeared in 200 games for the Fire scoring 19 goals and supplying 29 assists through that time. Marsch was traded to Chivas in January of 2006.
Former Fire keeper Zach Thornton: Joined the Fire via the 1997 MLS Expansion draft from New York. The sizable goalkeeper appeared in 215 matches for the Fire – posting an all-time regular season GAA of 1.24 through his 8 seasons (did not play for the Fire in 2004). Thornton was traded to Colorado in 2007, joined NY in 2008 and Chivas in late 2008.
Former Fire defender Jim Curtin: The Fire picked up Curtin in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft and the Pennsylvania native played in 151 games through his seven seasons. Curtin was traded to Chivas USA in January of 2008 for a conditional 2010 SuperDraft pick.
Fire Assistant Coach Mike Matkovich: Matkovich joined the Fire as an assistant coach in January of 2009, but served as an assistant coach under Preki last season at Chivas.
BLANCO HELPS MEXICO QUALIFY FOR 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA
Chicago Fire Designated Player Cuauhtémoc Blanco helped Mexico qualify for the 2010 World Cup with one of Mexico‘s four goals against El Salvador today at Estadio Azteca. After an own goal by El Salvador‘s Marvin Gonzalez gave “El Tri” a one goal advantage in the 26th minute, Blanco scored an insurance goal in the 71st minute of play. Blanco received an pass on the right side of the box and placed a shot around El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes coming off his line for a one-on-one situation. After Blanco exited the match just minutes later his replacement Juan Francisco Palencia scored the third goal of the match. Carlos Vela finished off scoring for Mexico as the team posted a 4-1 win, earning a spot at the 2010 World Cup. Mexico will face Trinidad & Tobago on the road tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 14 in their final World Cup Qualifying match at 7 p.m. CT.
Blanco has played in nine of Mexico’s Qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup, scoring four goals for “El Tri”.
FIRE ANNOUNCE FIRST THREE MATCHES OF 2010 SEASON
The Fire have announced that the club will begin its 13th season of play on Saturday, March 27, 2010 against the New York Red Bulls in the first-ever MLS match at the new Red Bull Arena. The game will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN2/Deportes with kickoff set for 6 p.m. CT. After the Fire travel to Colorado in MLS Week Two for a match against the Rapids on Saturday, April 3 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (time TBD), the Fire will host the San Jose Earthquakes for Opening Night at TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, April 10. Kickoff for the Fire’s first home game of the season will be at 7:30 p.m. CT. The full schedule for the 2010 MLS regular season, including the Fire’s remaining 28 games and broadcast schedule, will be announced early next year.
The Fire will announce individual game ticket information in the coming months, but fans can secure their seats for Opening Night at TOYOTA PARK against the Earthquakes by purchasing a 2010 Full Season Ticket Package, starting at just $179. For more information or to purchase 2010 Season Tickets, call 888-MLS–FIRE.
“I FUEL THE FIRE”: FIRE ROLL OUT SEASON TICKET RENEWAL PLANS
The Fire have announced their 2010 season ticket renewal prices for Full Season, Ten Game Plans and Club Seats along with special new benefits for season ticket holders. These plans offer a range of exclusive benefits and access provided only to season tickets holders, such as an enhanced season ticket exchange program, season ticket holder only events, a dedicated Fan Relations Coordinator, insider access to fan tunnel and player escort programs for their kids and behind the scenes VIP access to the stadium. Season tickets start as low as $179. Club Seats have been reduced on average by 25% and all Club Seats are now offered at one price, $999. Additionally, Club Seat Season Ticket Holders will no longer be subject to a multi-year contract as in past years. Also new for 2010 are significant upgrades to the sold-out Safeway Insurance Skyway area at TOYOTA PARK. In 2010, Safeway Insurance Skyway season tickets holders will now be provided with a 20 game package including all 15 regular season MLS home games, four bonus games, and a Fire first home playoff match, assigned seating, all benefits provided to season tickets holders and access to all exclusive season ticket holder events. The renewal deadline for 2010 Season Tickets is Friday, October 23rd. By paying in full on or before this date Season Ticket Holders will realize a 5% savings on their 2010 Season Tickets. For more information, visit www.chicago-fire.com, or contact your Season Ticket Representative.
TOYOTA PARK TO HOST BRIDGEVIEW’S HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOLLOW
Bridgeview’s Haunted Hollow is pleased to announce that the 2009 Haunted House will be located at Bridgeview’s TOYOTA PARK Stadium. Bridgeview’s Haunted Hollow will be open Friday through Sunday October 16-18 and October 23-25, and Thursday through Saturday, October 29,30 and 31. Doors open at Haunted Hollow from 7:00pm to 10:00pm on Sundays and Thursdays, and 7:00-11:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission to Haunted Hollow is $10.00 per person ages 7 and up. 6 and under are free. And, this year, you can avoid long lines by purchasing our RIP Tickets. The Right In Pass allows you access to a special fast pass line so you can enjoy Haunted Hollow right away! RIP Passes are available for an additional $3.00 per ticket. You can get your tickets at the box office or at Ticketmaster.com. More information about Haunted Hollow is available at www.bridgeviewhauntedhouse.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).