CHICAGO FIRE PLAYERS REPORT FOR 2014 MLS SEASON ON JANUARY 25
The Chicago Fire begin 2014 preseason training on Saturday, Jan. 25 with entrance physicals and medical exams before departing for the first leg of the club’s preseason camp on Sunday, Jan. 26 in Ave Maria, Fla.
Prior to Saturday, Major League Soccer will hold the final two rounds of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday, Jan. 21 via conference call at 1:00 p.m. CT. The Fire hold three picks in the fourth round: fourth (61st overall), eighth (65th overall) and 18th (75th overall).
This year, the MLS SuperDraft was expanded from two rounds to four, eliminating the Supplemental Draft. Two players on the current Fire roster got their professional starts through the Supplemental Draft. Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz was selected in the fourth round (45th overall) by the New England Revolution in 2005 and goalkeeper Kyle Reynish was selected in the fourth round (43rd overall) in the 2007 edition by Real Salt Lake.
Additionally, five players were selected in the later rounds of the SuperDraft. Quincy Amarikwa, Steven Kinney, Chris Rolfe and Gonzalo Segares were drafted in the third round while U.S. International Sean Johnson was selected in the fourth round (51st overall) of the 2010 edition.
The full SuperDraft order can be found here.
CHICAGO FIRE SELECT MARCO FRANCO IN 2014 MLS SUPERDRAFT
The Chicago Fire selected 2013 Big West Defender of the Year Marco Franco 13th overall in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 16 in Philadelphia, Pa. In his senior season at the University of California Irving, Franco started all 23 matches and captained his side to the Big West Championship and a Sweet 16 finish in the NCAA Tournament.
A native of Chino Hills, Calif., Franco was a member of a back line that posted 10 shouts and allowed a Big West low of 77 shots on goal in 2013. For his efforts, in addition to being named Big West Defender of the Year, Franco was also honored with First Team All-West Region and First Team All-Big West honors.
CHICAGO FIRE TO MAKE THREE STOPS DURING 2014 PRESEASON
The Chicago Fire will make three stops ahead of the club’s 17th MLS season. Fire players will report to Toyota Park on Saturday, Jan. 25 for entrance physicals before departing for the first leg of the club’s preseason camp on Sunday, Jan. 26 in Ave Maria, Fla.
The eight-day training camp on the campus of Ave Maria University will culminate in a preseason friendly against Florida Gulf Coast University on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 10:00 a.m. CT.
The Fire will then head to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. from Feb. 5-12 for the second leg of preseason where they take on 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champions D.C. United on Feb. 8 at 6:00 p.m. CT, 2013 USL PRO champions Orlando City SC on Feb. 11 at 6:00 p.m. CT, and D.C. United again on Feb. 12 at 9:00 a.m. CT.
For the final leg, 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.
Tickets for the 2014 Desert Diamond Cup are available here. Information on preseason match livestreams on Chicago-Fire.com will be released at a later date.
The club’s full preseason schedule can be found here.
TICKETS FOR JULY 26 CHICAGO FIRE VS. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC FRIENDLY NOW ON SALE FOR SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
Season Ticket Holder tickets for the Chicago Fire vs. Tottenham Hotspur are now on sale.
Season Ticket Holders can purchase their tickets here, by calling 708-496-6800 or by e-mail at SeasonTicketServices@Chicago-Fire.com.
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· All 2014 Season Ticket Holders may purchase up to two times the amount of tickets at the special Season Ticket Holder discounted rate as they have Season Ticket packages. Season Ticket Holders can purchase additional seats at face value during the first access window.
Season Ticket Holders will receive a 35 percent discount off the face value of tickets for the match, the ability to purchase up to two times the amount of tickets as are in the Season Ticket Packages at a discounted rate, and the ability to purchase additional seats at the single game price.
· All seats purchased by Season Ticket Holders include access to a Tottenham open practice that will be announced at a later date.
Tickets for the general public will go on sale on Jan. 24. Group tickets will be available on Jan. 27.
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.
Chicago Fire Season Tickets and Chicago Fire Winter Packs, which give fans the opportunity to witness the Men in Red in action on Opening Day while donning the two Fire adidas Winter hats and two Fire adidas baseball hats included in the pack, are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE, via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club’s official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Single game tickets to Chicago Fire matches will go on sale on Friday, Jan. 24 at 10:00 a.m. CT and will be available via Ticketmaster and www.Chicago-Fire.com.
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.
