CHICAGO, Ill. (Jan. 4, 2013) – The Chicago Fire announced its full 2013 MLS preseason training camp schedule Friday ahead of the club’s 16th MLS season. Fire players will arrive at Toyota Park on Friday, Jan. 18 and undergo two days of medical exams before departing for the first leg of the club’s preseason camp on Sunday, Jan. 20 in Ave Maria, Fla. During the 10-day training camp on the campus of Ave Maria University, the Fire will take part in preseason friendlies against Florida Gulf Coast University on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3:00 p.m. CT before heading to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. to take on the Columbus Crew on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 10:00 a.m. CT.
The Fire will then head to Ventura, Calif. from Feb. 2-10 for the second leg of preseason. The Men in Red will close out their time on the West Coast with a match against the 2012 MLS Supporters Shield winners San Jose Earthquakes at Oxnard College with date and time to be determined.
For the third straight year, the Fire will close out preseason from Feb. 13 – 24 in Charleston, S.C. as part of the 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup where they will face 2012 MLS Cup Finalists Houston Dynamo, 2012 USL Pro Champions Charleston Battery and fellow MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Tickets for the 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup are available at (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or www.charlestonbattery.com. Information on preseason match livestreams on Chicago-Fire.com will be released at a later date.
The Fire will host the New England Revolution for Opening Day at Toyota Park on Saturday, March 9. The Men in Red will begin their 16th season on the road the previous week when they visit two-time defending MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center on Sunday, March 3.
Chicago Fire Season Tickets and #cf97withdrawals Winter Packs, which give fans the opportunity to witness the Men in Red in action on Opening Day while donning the four Fire hats and four pairs of Fire gloves 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.
See below the club’s full 2013 preseason schedule.
January 18-19: Players arrive at Toyota Park for physicals
January 20: First team travels to Ave Maria, Fla.
January 21-30: First Team trains in Ave Maria, Fla.
GAMES:
Sunday, January 27 – Chicago Fire vs. Florida Gulf Coast University – 3:00 p.m. CT
Wednesday, January 30 – Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew – Time TBD – IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.
January 30: First Team returns to Chicago
February 2-10: First Team trains in Ventura, Calif.
GAMES:
Wednesday, February 6 - Opponent TBD
Chicago Fire vs. San Jose Earthquakes – Time and date TBD – Oxnard College, Oxnard, Calif.
February 10: First Team returns to Chicago
February 13-24: First Team trains in Charleston, S.C. as part of 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup
GAMES:
Saturday, February 16 – Chicago Fire vs. Houston Dynamo – 4:00 p.m. CT – Blackbaud Stadium
Wednesday, February 20 – Chicago Fire vs. Charleston Battery – 6:15 p.m. CT – Blackbaud Stadium
Sunday, February 24 – Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 4:00 p.m. CT – Blackbaud Stadium
February 26: Training begins in Chicago
March 3: MLS First Kick: Chicago Fire at LA Galaxy, Time TBD
March 9: Opening Day at Toyota Park: Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution
