CHICAGO FIRE USE BYE WEEK TO PREPARE FOR BACK-TO-BACK MATCHES AGAINST THE PHILADELPHIA UNION
The Chicago Fire (2-5-1, 7 points) will use the bye week to regroup and prepare for the first leg of a home-and-away series with the Philadelphia Union (3-3-2, 11 points) at Toyota Park on Saturday, May 11 at 12:30 p.m. CT (NBC Sports Network/107.9 La Ley).
The break in MLS play will give Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas an opportunity to return his lineup to full strength. Injuries and suspensions have forced Klopas to field eight different starting lineups in each of the Fire’s eight matches this season.
The Union, currently sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, host the Seattle Sounders at PPL Park on Saturday, May 4 before starting the series with the Fire.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING SCHEDULE: April 29 – May 6
Monday, April 29: Off
Tuesday, April 30: Training 10:00 a.m. CT^
Wednesday, May 1: Training 10:00 a.m. CT^
Thursday, May 2: Training 10:00 a.m. CT^
Friday, May 3: Training 10:00 a.m. CT^
Saturday, May 4: Off
Sunday, May 5: Off
Monday, May 6: Training 10:00 a.m. CT^
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 at 770.643.7636 for media requests.
CHICAGO FIRE FALL TO MONTREAL IMPACT 2-0
The Chicago Fire dropped a 2-0 decision to the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo Saturday afternoon. The Impact’s Andres Romero and Marco Di Vaio scored the only goals of the match as the Fire were forced to play a man down after a 63rd minute red card to midfielder Jeff Larentowicz.
In the 11th minute, Di Vaio swung in an Impact free kick from 30 yards out and found the head of Hassoun Camara. Camara out jumped his defender and snapped his header down, right into the Fire ‘keeper Sean Johnson’s arms.
The Fire began to press and in the 17th minute, Sherjill MacDonald dribbled down the left flank and played a square ball to Joel Lindpere. The Estonian midfielder centered the ball to Jeff Larentowicz at the top of the arc, but his right-footed effort forced Perkins to make the save.
The Fire would get another their look on goal and in the 20th minute, Lindpere’s corner kick was cleared by the Impact defense and fell to Daniel Paladini. The Fire midfielder took two touches to settle the ball and unleashed a right-footed blast from 30 yards out that forced Perkins to dive to his right and punch it out.
The hosts opened scoring in the 57th minute when Andres Romero received the ball on the left flank from Andrea Pisanu, dribbled into the box and curled his right-footed shot into the side netting to give the Impact the 1-0 lead.
Minutes later the Fire would be forced to play a man down when Larentowicz was shown a red card after appearing to clip Pisanu’s heel as he chased the ball into the Fire’s penalty box.
Di Vaio would put the game away in the 76th minute. With his back to goal, the Italian striker took a touch to settle, and with a quick turn, buried his shot into the bottom corner of the goal just past a diving Johnson.
LIMITED SPOTS REMAIN FOR 2013/2014 CHICAGO FIRE ACADEMY TRYOUTS
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday that limited spots remain for tryouts for the fully-funded Academy program for players born in the years 1995 through 2003. All tryouts for the 2013/2014 Academy program will take place on the Toyota Park Training Field (7000 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview, IL 60455) beginning Monday, May 6.
Registration is limited to those who register at www.Chicago-Fire.com/Academy/Tryouts. Walk-up registrations will not be accepted.
The Chicago Fire Academy is a fully-funded professional youth development program that looks to identify promising young soccer players and introduce them to a professional soccer environment with the purpose of advancing the most talented players to the professional ranks of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club.
Chicago Fire Academy Tryouts:
Academy Team (Birth Year)Date and TimeLocation
2003 Academy (2003) Monday, May 6 – 6:30-8:00 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
2002 Academy (2002) Tuesday, May 7 – 6:30-8:00 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
2001 Academy (2001) Wednesday, May 8 – 6:30-8:00 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
2000 Academy (2000) Wednesday, May 8 – 8:00-9:30 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
1999 Academy (1999) Thursday, May 9 – 6:30-8:00 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
1998 Academy (1998) Tuesday, May 7 – 8:00-9:30 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
Goalkeeper Tryouts:
Birth YearDate and TimeLocation
2003-1999 Friday, May 10 – 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
1998-1995 Friday, May 10 – 7:30-8:30 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
Chicago Fire U-14 USSDA Academy Tryouts:
Birth YearDate and TimeLocation
2000/1999 Monday, May 6 – 8:00-9:30 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
Chicago Fire U-15/16 USSDA Academy Tryouts:
Birth YearDate and TimeLocation
1998/1997 Monday, July 1 – 6:30-8:00 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
Tuesday, July 2 – 5:00-6:30 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
Chicago Fire U-17/18 USSDA Academy Tryouts:
Birth YearDate and TimeLocation
1996/1995 Monday, July 1 – 5:00-6:30 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
Tuesday, July 2 – 6:30-8:00 p.m. CT Toyota Park Training Field
CHICAGO FIRE TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL ART OF FUTBOL EVENT
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will showcase artwork from Chicagoland artists who submitted original pieces that celebrate the beautiful game of soccer at the Third Annual Art of Futbol event at the Society Art Gallery (2140 W. Fulton Street, Chicago, IL 60612) on Thursday, May 16 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. CT.
Hosted by the Chicago Fire Foundation, the club put out a call to Chicagoland artists looking for original works that celebrate the game of soccer and everything it represents. Soccer is a game that permeates all aspects of our city, encompassing varied views and opposing opinions. The Art of Futbol provides an opportunity for artists to share their vision with the local community.
Tickets for the event, which start at $25 and benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation, can be purchasedhere.
CHICAGO FIRE SEASON AND INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE
Individual single game tickets for the club’s 16th MLS season at Toyota Park are now on sale.
One of the most affordable live events in the Chicagoland area, single game ticket prices start as low as $20 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
Season Tickets are also available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE, via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club’s official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.
