The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced
today that it will host the first-ever Chicago Sister Cities International Cup
on Wednesday, May 19 and Saturday, May 22 at TOYOTA PARK. Joining the Fire for
the two-day, four-team international tournament are Legia Warsaw of Warsaw,
Poland, Paris Saint-Germain of Paris, France and Red Star Belgrade of Belgrade,
Serbia.
The Fire and Chicago Sister Cities
International have partnered to bring top-flight international soccer to TOYOTA
PARK for a two-day tournament that will feature premier clubs from three of
Chicago’s sister cities. Chicago has proven itself to be one of the great
cities in the world with one of the most fervent soccer markets in the United
States and will make for an excellent backdrop to this international tournament
featuring the Fire and three world-renowned clubs.
“The Chicago Fire are proud to host the
inaugural Chicago Sister Cities International Cup,” said Fire President Dave
Greeley. “The Fire’s continued commitment to growing the game of soccer in the
Chicagoland area along with the vibrant cultural communities that surround the
Windy City will serve as the ideal setting for a four-team, two-day tournament
highlighting soccer at its highest level.”
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley praised the
Chicago Fire for their leadership in creating this tournament and bringing
together three of Chicago’s sister cities to TOYOTA PARK to help elevate the city’s
profile through the world’s game.
“Chicago is a diverse and welcoming city
that is passionate about sports. We look forward to welcoming teams from our
Sister Cities of Belgrade, Paris and Warsaw for the Chicago Sister Cities
International Cup,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “These types of events play an important role
in showcasing our city’s diversity and further demonstrate our reputation as an
international sports city.”
One of the most successful club’s in Polish
soccer history, Legia Warsaw has won a total of eight league championships and
13 Polish Cups. The Polish side was founded in 1916 as the soccer club of the
Polish Legions and after World War I, became the main soccer team of the Polish
Army. The Legioniści ("Legioniers") will return to Chicago for the
fourth time, previously appearing in 1959, 1969 and 1999. The Fire defeated
Legia 3-2 in June of 1999 with two former Legia players, Jerzy Podbrożny and Roman
Kosecki, suiting up for the “Men in Red”.
“A visit to Chicago will be great opportunity to promote our Football
Club,” said Legia Warsaw President Leszek Miklas. “A number of European teams
have gone to the United States to play international friendly matches and we
did not hesitate to accept the Fire’s invitation. We hope that Legia Warszawa
will become even more popular in the U.S. and that we will gain additional
supporters during our stay in Chicago.”
Famed Parisian club Paris Saint-Germain, one of the most decorated outfits
in French soccer, has won two Ligue 1 titles, seven Coupes de France, a record
three Coupes de la Ligue and two Trophées des Champions. In addition to their
domestic triumphs, PSG won the 1996 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. Les Parisiens feature
French World Cup finalist and Champions League winner (Real Madrid) midfielder Claude
Makélélé along with former Barcelona striker Ludovic Giuly and former France
national team goalkeeper Grégory Coupet.
“Paris
Saint-Germain Football Club is delighted to participate in its first soccer
tournament in the United States. PSG is privileged and honored to represent the
City of Paris in the Chicago Sister Cities International Cup,” said Paris
Saint-Germain President Robin Leproux. “We expect that our participation in
this tournament will improve PSG’s recognition in North America and increase
our US fan base. We are looking forward to the support of the large French
community living in the Chicago area for our games at Toyota Park.”
Rounding out the four-team International
Cup is Serbian club Red Star Belgrade. The popular Serbian side won the 1991
Champions League on penalty kicks to become only the second Eastern European
club to take home the European Cup, after Steaua Bucharest of Romania. Red Star
has reached 25 national championships in its 65-year history.
“We
are very excited to play in Chicago and have an opportunity to strengthen our
relationship with the Chicago Fire,” said Red Star Belgrade President Vladan Lukić.
“For Red Star it is a great honor to participate in this International Friendly
Tournament. We believe that we shall encounter many Serb Red Star supporters
cheering for us at TOYOTA PARK. We are sure that the local support will make
Chicago feel like home.”
Tickets
to the Chicago Sister Cities International Cup go on sale Saturday, April 10 at
10:00 AM CT. Fans can purchase tickets through the Club’s official website at www.chicago-fire.com or by calling the
Chicago Fire at 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473). Tickets are also available via
Ticketmaster.
The
Chicago Sister Cities International Cup will be included in all Chicago Fire
Season Ticket Holder packages.
The
Chicago Fire match against the Colorado Rapids scheduled for Saturday, May 22
has been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 9 at 8:00 PM CT. The May 22nd
ticket is valid and will be accepted for admission on Wednesday, June 9.
Chicago Sister Cities International Cup Schedule
Wednesday, May 19
Chicago
Fire vs. Paris Saint-Germain 7:00 PM CT TOYOTA PARK
Legia
Warsaw vs. Red Star Belgrade Immediately
Following TOYOTA PARK
BUY TICKETS HERE
Saturday, May 22
Consolation
(losing teams from 5/19) 6:00
PM CT TOYOTA PARK
Championship
(winning teams from 5/19) Immediately Following TOYOTA
PARK
BUY TICKETS HERE
Fire Announce Sister Cities Tournament
