CHICAGO FIRE BEGIN 2014 PRESEASON CAMP IN AVE MARIA, FLORIDA
After a day of medical exams in Chicago, the Fire headed south to begin training camp at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Fla. During the eight-day training camp from Jan. 25 – Feb. 2 the Fire will continue preparations for the 2014 season with a preseason match against Florida Gulf Coast University on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 10:00 a.m. CT.
The Fire then return to Chicago before returning to Florida to train at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. from Feb. 5-12 where they will twice face D.C. United and take on USL-PRO side Orlando City SC.
The Men in Red will close out preseason from Feb. 15 – March 2 in Tucson, Ariz. as part of the Desert Diamond Cup where they will face fellow MLS sides Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution, and USL PDL side FC Tucson.
The club’s full preseason schedule can be found here.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING SCHEDULE: Jan. 28 – Feb. 2
Tuesday, Jan. 28: Training 10:30 a.m. CT^
Wednesday, Jan. 29: Training 10:30 a.m. CT^
Thursday, Jan. 30: Training 10:30 a.m. CT^
Friday, Jan. 31: Training 10:30 a.m. CT^
Saturday, Feb. 1: Training 10:30 a.m. CT^
Sunday, Feb. 2: Chicago Fire vs. Florida Gulf Coast University – North Park – Ave Maria, Fla. – 10:00 a.m. CT – Available via live webcast on www.Chicago-Fire.com
Return to Chicago
Training will take place at the Ave Maria North Park
^Training is open to the media. Fire players and coaches will be made available immediately following training. Times are subject to change. Please contact Eunice Kim at ekim@chicago-fire.com for media requests.
FRANK YALLOP CONFERENCE CALL
Chicago Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop will be available for a media conference call on Thursday, Jan. 30 to recap the first week of preseason training and to preview the friendly match against Florida Gulf Coast University.
Media members interested in participating in the call are asked to RSVP by emailing ekim@chicago-fire.com.
FIRE ROSTER CONTINUES TO TAKE SHAPE
As the season draws near, the Fire roster continued to take shape as the Fire made three selections in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 21, acquiring midfielders Zach Bolden (61st overall), Kadeem Dacres (65th overall) and Bryan Ciesiulka (75th overall).
The Fire also acquired forward Giuseppe Gentile through the MLS Waiver Draft. Gentile relinquished his college eligibility after the MLS SuperDraft and subsequently signed a contract with MLS that made him available to all teams. A UNC Charlotte product, Gentile scored 27 goals and tallied 12 assists in 67 career matches.
In addition to the new players, the club announced Friday that veteran midfielder Logan Pause re-signed with the Fire and will return for his 12th season in Chicago, making him the longest-serving member of the current Fire first team. Pause, who was originally selected in the third round (24th overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by the Fire, has averaged 25 games per season throughout his career and accumulated only 22 yellow cards and was ejected just twice in MLS Regular Season play.
CHICAGO FIRE HOST OPENING DAY ON MARCH 23
The Fire will host 2013 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners New York Red Bulls for Opening Day at Toyota Park on Sunday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. CT. The Men in Red will begin their 17th season two weeks prior on the road when they visit Chivas USA at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. CT.
Single game tickets to the Fire’s 17 MLS Regular Season home matches and to the July 26 international friendly against Barclay’s Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur FC are now available via Ticketmaster and www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Throughout the season, Fire fans that enter Toyota Park early will have the first chance at exciting giveaways including a team poster on Opening Day, presented by Giordano’s Chicago Pizza, a Fire scarf on April 19 vs. the New England Revolution, a Fire flag on July 19 at the Fire vs. Philadelphia Union match presented by Cricket Wireless, and dog tags for Military Appreciation Night, presented by TrueCar, when the Fire host the Columbus Crew on Aug. 2.
Fire fans can take advantage of concession discounts on select nights including $2 hot dogs on April 19, July 2 and Oct. 5. Fire fans 21 years and older can enjoy $2 beer on March 23, May 3 and Oct. 5.
Additional promotions and giveaways will be announced on a later date.
The Fire’s full season schedule can be found here.
CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION TO HOLD 16TH ANNUAL SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON AND UNVEIL NEW PRIMARY KIT ON MARCH 4
The Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, will hold its 16th Annual Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon on Tuesday, March 4 at 11:00 a.m. CT at the Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601).
The annual event, benefitting the Chicago Fire Foundation, offers Fire supporters the first opportunity to meet the 2014 Chicago Fire team and raise funds in the name of charity. In addition to interacting with Fire players, coaches and technical staff, the event includes a reception, lunch and silent auction where attendees can bid on autographed Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates and much more. In 2013, the Season Kickoff Luncheon raised more than $70,000 benefiting soccer and education programs for underprivileged Chicagoland youths.
The Fire will also unveil its new 2014 primary kit at the luncheon as part of the second annual MLS Jersey week. All event attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to both see and purchase the kit before its public release.
Tickets are now on sale here or by calling (708) 496-6751. Through January 31, early bird tickets start at $80 a person, with full tables for 10 guests at $750. The first 20 tables purchased for $850 will be seated with a member of the Fire first team or coaching staff.
On Feb. 1 the ticket prices will go up to $90 a person, with full tables for 10 guests at $850. Remaining player tables will be $1,000.
