The Chicago Fire continue their 2016 preseason campaign at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. The Fire take on the University of South Florida in the first friendly of the year at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 at USF's Corbett Stadium. Tickets to the match are available via Ticketmaster and the game is set to stream live on Chicago-Fire.com.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER
In addition to current signed players and three unsigned 2016 MLS SuperDraft draftees, four additional players will join the team’s training camp roster: trialists Arturo Alvarez and Matt Lampson, Saint Louis FC midfielder Parker Maher and Chicago Fire Academy player Mauricio Pineda.
Chicago Fire Training Camp Roster (as of Feb. 1, 2016):
GOALKEEPERS: Sean Johnson, Matt Lampson^, Patrick McLain
DEFENDERS: Jonathan Campbell, Patrick Doody, Eric Gehrig, Michael Harrington, Vincent Keller, João Meira, Mauricio Pineda#, Brandon Vincent
MIDFIELDERS: David Accam, Arturo Alvarez^, Kingsley Bryce, Joey Calistri, Razvan Cocis, Drew Conner, Collin Fernandez, Nick LaBrocca, Parker Maher+, Vincent Mitchell, Alex Morell, Matt Polster, Harry Shipp, Michael Stephens
FORWARDS: Gilberto, Kennedy Igboananike
Currently on international duty
Unsigned 2016 MLS SuperDraft Pick
^Trialist
+Saint Louis FC player
Chicago Fire Academy Player
LaBrocca joined the team upon arrival in Tampa. It is anticipated that Meira will join the team in Tampa upon the completion of his visa process. STLFC’s James Musa has departed camp after picking up a knock during the first week of training.
LOGAN PAUSE INDUCTED INTO NORTH CAROLINA SOCCER HALL OF FAME
Chicago Fire assistant coach Logan Pause was inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame on Saturday, Jan. 30 as a member of the class of 2016.
Pause, who spent his entire 12-year professional playing career as a member of the Fire, appeared in 286 regular season matches, and scored three goals and tallied 11 assists. In addition to 14 post season appearances, Pause was a member of Chicago's 2003 and 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships and a member of the 2003 Supporters’ Shield-winning side. A U.S. youth international, Pause made his senior national team debut on July 4, 2009 and earned a total of six caps throughout his career. Pause was selected in the third round (24th overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft by the Fire after leading the University of North Carolina to the NCAA College Cup title in 2001.
Inducted alongside Pause were Doug Kidd, Tab Ramos and Jay Vidovich.
CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION TO HOST 18TH ANNUAL SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON PRESENTED BY MAGELLAN CORPORATION
The Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, will hold its 18th Annual Season Kickoff Luncheon, presented by Magellan Corporation, on Monday, Feb. 29 at 11 a.m. CT at the Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601).
The event will feature a reception and lunch and the Chicago Fire Foundation will also host an extensive silent auction, available online, that will allow attendees and fans at home to bid on autographed Fire gear, additional sports memorabilia, gift certificates and much more. In 2015, the Season Kickoff Luncheon raised more than $90,000 benefiting soccer and education programs for underprivileged Chicagoland youth. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation.
Tickets are available for purchase beginning Wednesday, Jan. 6. They can be purchased by clicking here or calling (708) 496-6657. Individual tickets are $85 with full tables beginning at $800. Prices will increase on Wednesday, Feb. 10.
Established in 1998, the Chicago Fire Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life throughout Chicagoland by leveraging its resources and expertise in the area of soccer to provide sports-based youth development and direct-service programs to underserved communities.
