CHICAGO FIRE HOST D.C. UNITED IN LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP ACTION, WELCOME MONTREAL IMPACT
The Chicago Fire (8-9-4, 28 points) shift their focus to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal match against fellow MLS side D.C. United at Toyota Park on Wednesday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m. CT with the match streaming live on www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Advance tickets for the match are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire, by visiting www.Chicago-Fire.com or Ticketmaster.
Parking will be free to all Fire fans who attend. The Fire will also be discounting hot dogs to just two dollars.
Since 1998 the Fire have racked up an impressive 33-10-4 record all-time in Open Cup play, which has helped the squad reach the semi final round nine out of 16 times and the final six times. The Fire have previously hoisted the coveted Dewar Trophy four times, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. The 2006 title marked the ninth time a team from Chicago won the Open Cup and made the Fire one of six teams to capture the crown at least four times in the tournament's 100-year-long history.
Determined by a coin flip, the winner of the Fire vs. D.C. United semifinal match will hit the road for the final. If the Portland Timbers defeat Real Salt Lake in its semifinal match on Aug. 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, the Open Cup Final will be played on Sept. 24 at JELD-WEN Field. If Salt Lake wins the semifinal, the championship will be played on Oct. 1 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Following the Open Cup semifinal match, the Fire quickly return to MLS action on August 10, as the Chicago Fire will host its first-ever “Dog Days of Soccer” presented by Beneful® event when the Fire host the Montreal Impact (10-6-5, 35 points) at Toyota Park at 7:30 p.m. CT (My50/La Ley 107.9 FM). On this night, Chicago Fire fans are invited to bring their canine friends to enjoy the match. In the specially designated Fire Dog Zone, Beneful® will distribute goody bags to dog owners featuring Beneful® Healthy Smile dog food samples. Additional information on the “Dog Days of Soccer” can be found here.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING SCHEDULE: August 6 – August 12
Tuesday, Aug. 6 Training 9:30 a.m.^ - Toyota Park Stadium Field
Wednesday, Aug. 7 Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United – Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal Match – Toyota Park – 7:30 p.m. CT – live stream available at www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Thursday, Aug. 8 Training 11:00 a.m.^
Friday, Aug. 9 Training 9:30 a.m.^
Saturday, Aug. 10 Chicago Fire vs. Montreal Impact – Toyota Park – 7:30 p.m. CT – My50/La Ley 107.9
Sunday, Aug. 11 MLS Reserve League – Chicago Fire vs. Montreal Impact – Toyota Park Practice Field – 10:00 a.m. CT
Monday, Aug. 12 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. Please contact the Chicago Fire Communications Department for updated times and locations. Please contact Eunice Kim for media requests.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. D.C. United
-The Men in Red are 21-0-1 all-time in Open Cup matches played in the state of Illinois
-The Fire have reached the semifinal round nine out of 16 times
-The Fire are 1-1-0 all-time against D.C. United in Open Cup play. The Fire defeated D.C. United 3-0 in the 2006 semifinal round and fell 2-1 in the 2008 quarterfinals.
-This is the third meeting across all competitions between the two sides this year. The Fire defeated D.C. United 2-0 on June 2 and 4-1 on July 20 in MLS play at Toyota Park.
-The Fire advanced to the semifinals of the storied tournament with a 5-1 victory over the Orlando City SC June 26 at Toyota Park. A Chris Rolfe brace and goals from Patrick Nyarko, Mike Magee and Joel Lindpere led the Men in Red to their 33rd all-time victory of the 100-year old tournament.
-D.C. United advanced after a 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution at the SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. Montreal Impact
-The Fire are 1-1-1 all-time in regular season matches against the Montreal Impact including a 1-0-0 record in matches played at Toyota Park.
-This is the second match between the two sides this season. The Fire fell 2-0 at Stade Saputo on April 27, 2013.
-Impact midfielder Justin Mapp spent seven seasons with the Fire. Acquired in a trade from D.C. United on Dec. 26, 2002, Mapp made 174 regular season appearances from 2003 to 2010, winning the Supporters Shield in 2003 and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2003 and 2006. Mapp was also a MLS All-Star in 2005 and was named to the MLS Best XI in 2006.
-Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush and midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic are products of the Chicago Fire PDL system. Both players were part of the 2006 Chicago Fire PDL side that took the Great Lakes Division crown with a 14-2-0 regular season record.
CHICAGO FIRE OFFER DISCOUNT TO MESSI & FRIENDS ATTENDEES
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club is offering anyone with proof of purchase to the July 6 Messi & Friends event at Soldier Field a 50 percent discount on a ticket to the Aug. 7 Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal match.
All discounted ticket offers must be redeemed at the Toyota Park Box Office only. Inquiries regarding the discount can be directed to 1-888-MLS-FIRE.
CHICAGO FIRE LAUNCH THIRD KIT DESIGN CONTEST
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club has partnered with iconic jersey sponsor The Quaker Oats Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc., to launch the #cf97ThirdKit design contest, asking Fire supporters to submit designs for the jersey the Fire plans to unveil at the club’s Anniversary game in 2014.
The five best designs will be chosen by the Chicago Fire and Quaker Oats. Once the final designs are selected, each winner will work directly with the club’s creative team to place the design into an adidas-approved jersey template. The final designs will then be put to a fan vote on www.Chicago-Fire.com.
The winning design will become a part of Fire history and will be scheduled to make its debut for the Anniversary game in 2014, in addition to other future matchday opportunities. The winner will also receive round trip airfare and accommodations for two to attend the Fire’s match against the Portland Timbers in 2014, including a private tour of the adidas campus in Portland, an opportunity to meet with adidas jersey designers and $500.00 to spend at the adidas employee store. All five selected designers will receive two tickets to sit in the Chicago Fire’s Second Star Club for a Fire match.
To be considered, entrants must download a template form for the design from www.Chicago-Fire.com. This template form will include blank outlines for entrant’s design. Using the template form, entrants must design the new team third jersey (front/sleeves/back). Submissionsmay be sent tocf97thirdkit@chicago-fire.com, delivered in-person or via mail per the official rules. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, August 14.
Full #cf97ThirdKit rules and regulations can be found here.
CHICAGO FIRE HOLD THIRD ANNUAL PRACTICE IN THE COMMUNITY
For the third consecutive year the club will hold a Practice in the Community, presented by University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Stuart Field (31st and South Federal) on Saturday, August 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CT. Chicago Fire First Team training is scheduled to take place at 11:00 a.m. CT and is subject to change.
The Fire will venture away from their soccer-specific home of Toyota Park to the Practice in the Community event,bringing the entire Fire team to Chicago’s South Side for a full training session that is open to the general public. Following the practice, the Fire will interact with the fans and members of the local community by signing autographs and talking soccer.
Fans who attend Practice in the Community will also have the opportunity to win a VIP Gameday Experience for the Sept. 1 match against the Houston Dynamo at Toyota Park. This package will include four field-side seats, the opportunity to watch warm ups from the field, access to a post-game autograph session in the Stadium Club and a Fire fan gift pack, including a team autographed Fire jersey.
The Practice in the Community eventispresented by University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UIH), the leaders in the delivery of patient care, education and research. UIH has the vision to create, nurture and sustain long-term relationships with the communities they serve.
Additional information on the Practice in the Community can be foundhere.
THIRD ANNUAL CHICAGO FIRE WHITE PARTY SOLD OUT
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that the Third Annual White Party presented by Swissôtel Chicago at the MCA Warehouse (1747 W. Hubbard) on Thursday, August 8, 2013 from 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. CT is now sold out.
This unique, stylish event provides guests with an opportunity to sip cocktails while getting to know the Fire and the Chicago Fire Foundation. The White Party will feature a premium open bar, live DJ, hors d’oeuvres and a gift bag for each guest to top off the night. Guests are strongly encouraged to don their most stylish white attire.
Proceeds from the White Party will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation. In 2012, the White Party sold out with 700 urban professionals in attendance and raised more than $40,000 for the Foundation.
For additional information, please visit www.Chicago-Fire.com.
