CHICAGO FIRE TO CELEBRATE FIRE FRIDAYS AT THE ATLANTIC BAR
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will celebrate Fire Fridays at The Atlantic Bar and Grill (5062 N. Lincoln Ave.) on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ahead of the Fire’s match against Eastern Conference opponent Toronto FC at Toyota Park on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The club launched the Fire Fridays campaign in an effort to engage soccer supporters, deepen relationships and build a stronger club culture throughout the Chicagoland area. The Fire have partnered with local bars, restaurants and establishments to wear Fire gear on Fridays and designated event days throughout the MLS season. The Fire will also bring together Fire players, partners, front office and supporters for a happy hour or event prior to each weekend Fire home match during the summer and fall of the 2013 season. Stay tuned to Chicago-Fire.com and the club’s social channels www.facebook.com/ChicagoFire and www.twitter.com/chicagofire for updates on each Fire Fridays event location. Supporters are encouraged to join the conversation by utilizing #cf97 and #firefridays on Twitter and Instagram.
MEN IN RED CLOSE OUT REGULAR SEASON HOME SCHEDULE AGAINST TORONTO FC
The Chicago Fire (13-12-7, 46 points) host the final regular season home match when they welcome Toronto FC (5-16-11, 26 points) in a match Presented by University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System for Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Toyota Park on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. CT (My50/TWCSC Wisconsin/La Ley 107.9).
Tickets for the match are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire, by visiting www.Chicago-Fire.com or Ticketmaster. The first 5,000 fans in the stadium will receive a limited edition pink rally towel.
This is the second match between the two sides this season. The Fire earned a hard-fought 1-1 road draw courtesy of a 20th minute Dilly Duka strike at BMO Field on Sept. 11.
Toronto FC enter the match after a bye weekend in MLS action. They most recently fell 1-0 against the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park on Oct. 5.
With the 3-2 road victory against FC Dallas Saturday evening, the Fire jumped back into the fifth and final playoff spot.
The Chicago Fire will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
-Chicago Fire win vs. Toronto FC on Saturday AND
-Montréal Impact win vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday AND
-New England Revolution tie or lose vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING SCHEDULE: October 16 – October 20
Wednesday, Oct. 16 Training 9:30 a.m.^ - Toyota Park Stadium Field
Thursday, Oct. 17 Training 9:30 a.m.^
Friday, Oct. 18 Training 9:30 a.m.^
Saturday, Oct. 19 Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC – Toyota Park – 7:30 p.m. CT – My50/TWCSC Wisconsin/La Ley 107.9
Sunday, Oct. 20 MLS Reserve League: Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC – Toyota Park Practice Field – 10:00 a.m. CT
Monday, Oct. 21 Off
*Training will take place on the Toyota Park Practice Field unless otherwise noted
^Times are approximate and subject to change. Fire players and coaches will be made available following training. If you plan on attending practice this week, please contact the Chicago Fire Communications Department for updated times and locations. Please contact Eunice Kim at ekim@chicago-fire.com for media requests.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. Toronto FC
-The Chicago Fire are 7-3-5 all-time against Toronto FC, including a 3-0-3 record in matches played at Toyota Park.
-Fire forward Quincy Amarikwa spent the second half of the 2012 season with Toronto FC. Amarikwa tallied one assist in 11 MLS appearances for the TFC. Amarikwa also scored a goal against Liverpool in the World Football Challenge and against Santos Laguna in CONCACAF Champions League play.
-Two members of the Fire coaching staff spent time with Toronto FC. Assistant coach Mike Matkovich served in the same capacity with Toronto FC in 2007, as did Leo Percovich in 2009.
-Returning to the Fire for this match will be midfielders Joel Lindpere (Estonia), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Uruguay) and goalkeeper Sean Johnson (USA) who are currently with their respective nations for FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
-Fire forward Mike Magee’s goal in the 42nd minute of the Fire’s 3-2 win over FC Dallas Oct. 12 was his 19th goal of the season, moving him into a tie with Montreal Impact forward Marco Di Vaio atop the MLS Golden Boot standings.
-With his appearance in Saturday’s match, Patrick Nyarko moved past Diego Gutierrez and into ninth on the club’s all-time MLS Regular Season appearance list at 158.
CHICAGO FIRE TO HOST YOUTH LAB FOR CHICAGO IDEAS WEEK
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will host a Youth Lab on Friday, Oct. 18 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. CT in conjunction with Chicago Ideas Week.
Students will discover the business side of professional soccer and what happens on and off the pitch. From game day to what it takes to be a good corporate citizen, students will learn how to give back to their communities. Including a behind-the-scenes tour of Toyota Park, students will explore the different professional roles associated with Chicago’s soccer team.
Additional information can be found here.
CHICAGO FIRE TO HOLD SIXTH ANNUAL OPEN TRYOUTS DECEMBER 6-7 AT BRIDGEVIEW SPORTS DOME
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will hold its Sixth Annual Open Tryouts on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Bridgeview Sports Dome at 8900 S. 77th Ave. in Bridgeview, IL 60455. A map to the Bridgeview Sports Dome can be found here. The tryout is open to male soccer players ages 18 and older who believe they can succeed at the Major League Soccer level. Members of the Fire Technical Staff will be on hand at the tryouts to observe and rank players, and the winner of the Open Tryout will be awarded the chance to train with the Fire first team during the club’s preseason camp.
At the Fire’s Third Annual Open Tryout in January 2011, Chicago Fire defender Pari Pantazopoulos emerged from a group of over 200 participants from 19 different countries to win the club’s Open Tryout and a spot on the first team’s preseason roster. The Mt. Prospect, IL product advanced through all three phases of the club’s preseason camp to sign on as a member of the Chicago Fire. Pantazopoulos made his first team debut on June 28, 2011 in a U.S. Open Cup match vs. the Rochester Rhinos and went on to appear in the club’s midseason friendly against English giants Manchester United at Soldier Field on July 23.
Tryout registration is $155 (non-refundable) before Nov. 15 and $180 (non-refundable) after Nov. 15 with each player guaranteed an hour of playing time. Space at the tryout is limited. All interested players must register online at www.chicago-fire.com/opentryout.
Applications must be submitted online and applicants must have a valid e-mail address as registration forms will not be accepted via fax or over the phone. The registration deadline is Monday, Dec. 2 at 5:00 p.m. CT. No registration forms will be accepted after that date. All registrants will be contacted with a schedule via e-mail on or before Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Questions can be answered by e-mailingopentryout@Chicago-Fire.com. For more information visit the club’s official website www.chicago-fire.com.
CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB JOINS GREAT CHICAGO FIRE HYDRANTS ART EXHIBITION
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club has joined the Great Chicago Fire Hydrants project, a public art exhibition celebrating the heroism of Chicago’s firefighters.
The citywide program will feature 101 hydrants, symbolically representing each Chicago firehouse, that will be placed in various locations throughout the city. Along with the Fire, local businesses, artists, architects, fashion and interior designers have sponsored the hydrants that will be auctioned on Dec. 4, 2013 to benefit the 100 Club of Chicago, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the families of fallen police and firefighters.
A 5-foot tall fiberglass fire hydrant, the Fire’s hydrant features two special features that appear on its rings. The top honors the seven members of the club’s Ring of Fire: Peter Nowak, Frank Klopas, Lubos Kubik, Peter Wilt, Bob Bradley, Chris Armas and C.J. Brown. While the club’s three tenets, Tradition. Honor. Passion, appear on the base ring
The Fire hydrant has been installed at the Hancock Plaza and will be on display through Nov. 11.
Additional information on the Great Chicago Fire Hydrants can be foundhere.
