CHICAGO FIRE KICK OFF BUSY WEEK AGAINST MLS’ ALL-TIME LEADING GOAL SCORER
The Chicago Fire (2-3-6, 12 points) begin a busy three-match stretch when they host the LA Galaxy (4-3-3, 15 points) at Toyota Park on Sunday, June 1 at 3 p.m. CT (My50/TWCSC Wisconsin/La Ley 107.9 FM).
The Galaxy enter the match after defeating the Philadelphia Union 4-1 on Sunday evening. Donovan’s brace marked his 136th MLS regular season goal as he took sole possession of the goal scoring crown.
Tickets for the match, presented by Quaker, are available viaTicketmaster or www.Chicago-Fire.com.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING SCHEDULE: May 27 – June 1
Tuesday, May 27 Training 10:30 a.m. CT – Toyota Park^
Wednesday, May 28 Training 10:30 a.m. CT – Toyota Park - Entire session open to media – Media availability will take place immediately following training
Thursday, May 29 Off
Friday, May 30 Training 10:30 a.m. CT – Toyota Park^
Saturday, May 31 Training 10:30 a.m. CT – Toyota Park^
Sunday, June 1 Chicago Fire vs. LA Galaxy – 3 p.m. CT – Toyota Park – My50/TWCSC Wisconsin/La Ley 107.9 FM
*Training will take place on the Toyota Park Practice Field unless otherwise noted.
^Media availability will be held in the Toyota Park Media Room one hour prior to the listed start time of training and will run for approximately 45 minutes, typically from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Training will be open to media for the first 15 minutes of the session.
Media members interested in attending training are asked to RSVP to Eunice Kim atekim@chicago-fire.comthe evening before each session with the names of the players they are requesting to speak with to ensure that players are notified and available for interviews. Training times and locations are subject to change. Media members that have sent an email RSVP will be alerted of any changes.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. LA Galaxy
-The Fire are 15-19-4 all-time against the Galaxy in regular season play, including a 9-9-1 record in matches played at home.
-The two sides met once last season in the 2013 season opener. The Fire fell 4-0 when then-Galaxy forward Mike Magee netted a hat trick.
-Magee later joined the Fire in a trade on May 25, 2013 and scored an additional 15 goals and added four assists in 22 matches for the Fire, en route to MLS All-Star, MLS Best XI and MLS MVP honors.
-Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop served as LA Galaxy head coach from June 2006 to November 2007.
-Assistant Coach Clint Mathis joined the Fire in January after serving as the LA Galaxy Camps and Clinics Supervisor. Mathis began his professional career when he was selected sixth overall in the 1998 MLS College Draft by the Galaxy out of the University of South Carolina. Mathis made an immediate impact, making 30 appearances and scoring five goals and adding 10 assists in his rookie season. In the following two seasons, Mathis played in 35 additional matches for the Galaxy and scored 10 goals and tallied seven assists before he was traded to the MetroStars on May 11, 2000.
-Mathis returned to the LA Galaxy in a trade on Jan. 14, 2010 and retired from professional soccer on Aug. 7, 2010 after making nine appearances for the Galaxy that year.
-Defender Greg Cochrane joined the Fire in a trade with the Galaxy on March 3, 2014. The Holland, Pa. native was selected 38th overall by the Galaxy in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. In his first season as a professional, Cochrane started nine of his 12 MLS appearances for the Galaxy, and started both CONCACAF Champions League matches in which he appeared. Cochrane also appeared once in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play.
-Chicago Fire Head of Scouting Trevor James also spent time with the Galaxy, joining the club in 2006 when he was appointed assistant coach by then-head coach Frank Yallop. In 2007, with the creation of the Galaxy Academy, James also assumed the role of Director of Player Development. During James’ tenure as the Galaxy’s Director of Player Development, the Galaxy Academy won two USL Super-20 League division titles, reached the 2010 Super-20 National Championship and qualified for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs in both the U16 and U18 age groups.
-Galaxy Associate Head Coach Dave Sarachan was the second head coach in Fire history. Following the 2002 season, Sarachan was named head coach, a position that he held for four and a half years during which he compiled a 55-50-31 regular season record. During his tenure, he led the Fire to the 2003 Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup Final en route to MLS Coach of the Year honors. Under his tutelage, the Fire won the 2003 and 2006 U.S. Open Cup Championships.
-Two members of the Galaxy spent time with the Fire. Midfielder Baggio Husidic was selected in the second round (20th overall) in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by the Fire after playing collegiately at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Husidic scored five goals and added eight assists in 50 appearances for the Fire over the course of three seasons. Defender Dan Gargan joined the Fire from Toronto FC in July 2011. The Philadelphia, Pa. native made 31 appearances, scoring one goal and adding one assist through 2012.
CHICAGO FIRE GOALKEEPING CORPS TO TAKE PART IN GUEST BARTENDING MAY 27
Chicago Fire goalkeepers Sean Johnson, Alec Kann, Kyle Reynish and coach Aron Hyde will participate in a guest bartending event on Tuesday, May 27 at AJ Hudson’s Public House (3801 N. Ashland Ave.) from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
A $20 wristband includes select drafts, mixed drinks, wine and soda. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation.
Fans are invited to stay and watch the United States vs. Azerbaijan match (ESPN2/Univision Deportes) at 9 p.m. CT.
CHICAGO FIRE TO HOST FOURTH ROUND LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP MATCH
The Chicago Fire will begin the journey for its fifth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy in the fourth round of the storied tournament on Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. CT at Toyota Park against the winner of the RWB Adria (USASA) vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL PRO) third round match, scheduled for May 28 at 6 p.m. CT at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Single game tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, May 28 and will be available via Ticketmaster, www.Chicago-Fire.com, at the Toyota Park Box Office and by calling 888-MLS-FIRE.
Fire Season Ticket Holder tickets will be available on Account Manager by May 28. Group tickets will also be available that day at a discounted price by calling 888-MLS-FIRE.
Since 1998, the Fire have compiled an impressive 33-11-4 record in Open Cup play, 21-1-1 in matches played in the state of Illinois, reaching the semifinal 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.
CHICAGO FIRE HOST TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC JULY 26 AT TOYOTA PARK
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will welcome Barclays Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to Toyota Park in an international friendly on Saturday, July 26 at 7:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2).
This is just the fifth time that the Fire will welcome an English side to the Chicagoland area. The Men in Red are 2-2-0 in international friendlies against clubs from England, including Aston Villa, Manchester United, Everton and Derby County.
Tickets for July 26 friendly against the Spurs and to the Fire’s MLS Regular Season home matches are available via Ticketmasterandwww.Chicago-Fire.com.
CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL “FIRE,BREWS AND BITES” BEER TASTING EVENT
The Chicago Fire Foundation will host its third annual “Fire, Brews and Bites” beer tastingevent at Carmichael’s Steakhouse (1052 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Ill., 60607) on Saturday, June 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. CT.
The event will consist of an afternoon of beer, soccer and food as guests have an opportunity to taste a variety of samples from local breweries and snack on appetizers provided by Carmichael’s Steakhouse while catching international soccer games on the big screen.
This year’s beer tasting is highlighted by samples from Revolution Brewing, Chicago’s new hometown craft brewery located in Logan Square, 3 Floyds Brewery Co., and many other local favorites.
Tickets, which include a beer tasting, appetizers and a commemorative gift item, start at $40 and can be purchased here. Guests must be 21 years or over to attend. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club.
