Chicago Fire Weekly Update: Double Date

10/08/2007 -- Chicago Fire vs. Cruz Azul - Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - International Exhibition - TOYOTA PARK

TV: None
RADIO: None

Chicago Fire @ D.C. United - Saturday, October 13, 2007 - Fire Match #29 - MLS Match #185

TV: Comcast SportsNet (Kenn Tomasch, Kenny Stern, Chris Doran), HDNet (Glenn Davis, Marcelo Balboa)
RADIO: WRTO-1200 AM (Oscar Guzman, "Batata" DaSilva, Enrique "Tico" Fernandez)

Chicago Fire @ D.C. United
The Chicago Fire (9-10-9, 36 pts.) take a season-high, six-game unbeaten streak (2-0-4) into the nation's capital to face D.C. United (16-6-6, 54 pts.) this Saturday at RFK Stadium. The Fire held onto the eighth and final playoff spot after Saturday's 2-1 win over the New England Revolution at TOYOTA PARK, and will host Cruz Azul this Wednesday for the team's third "friendly" of the season. D.C. United are coming off a 1-1 tie at Kansas City, and return home in an effort to solidify the Supporters' Shield crown. Kick-off for Saturday's match is at 6:30 p.m. CT, and will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet and broadcast over the airwaves on Chicagoland radio station WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish).

Chicago Fire Weekly Agenda
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6726 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Monday, Oct. 8 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 9 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m., Cruz Azul practice, 6:00 p.m. - UIC Flames Field
Wednesday, Oct. 10 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m., Fire vs. Cruz Azul, 7:30 p.m. - TOYOTA PARK
Thursday, Oct. 11 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 10:00 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 12 Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field, 9:00 a.m., Depart for D.C.
Saturday, Oct. 13 Chicago Fire @ D.C. United, 6:30 p.m. - RFK Stadium
Sunday, Oct. 14 Arrive in Chicago

Fire - Cruz Azul in Tamayo Financial Challenge Cup Wednesday
The Chicago Fire are set to play Mexican Primera División side Club Deportivo Social y Cultural Cruz Azul, or simply Cruz Azul, in the Tamayo Financial Challenge Cup, presented by Boost Mobile and AeroMexico, on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Kick-off for the exhibition match at TOYOTA PARK is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, for the Fire's first-ever match against the Mexico City, Mexico-based club. Fire season ticket holders and media are asked to use Bonus Game B tickets and parking passes for the exhibition match.

The game on Oct. 10 will be the fourth scheduled "friendly" scheduled for the 2007 season, and Chicago have played in two of the three previously-scheduled international competitions. The "Men in Red" first faced Polish side MKS Cracovia on June 22 and took away a hard-fought 1-0 win, then drew 1-1 with Scottish power Celtic FC a month later on July 22. Three days later the Fire were to meet Santos Laguna of the Mexican Primera División in La Joya, Texas, but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Happy Birthday Chicago Fire
It is hard to believe that just 10 years ago, the Chicago Fire were not even the Chicago Fire. On October 8, 1997, Chicago's club came to fruition as one of Major League Soccer's two new expansion teams set to begin during the 1998 season. By the end of 1997, the club had a name, general manager, front office staff, head coach, captain, and the beginnings of a roster that would help the Fire enjoy the most successful expansion season in recent American sports history.

Fast-forward to Oct. of 2007, and the Fire are in their tenth season of MLS play and are one of the League's benchmark clubs. While most of MLS had a two-year head start on the Fire, the "Men in Red" made up for lost time and boast one of the most successful résumés in the League, possessing a list of accomplishments that teams twice its age would be proud of. After a nine-year journey full of trophies, travels, and talent, the 2007 campaign is a time of celebration as the Fire commemorates its 10th year of giving soccer fans in Chicagoland something to cheer for.

A Fire Birthday "Top Ten"
1 - Number of MLS Cups (1998) and MLS Supporters Shields (2003) won.
2 - Number of trophies the Fire won in their inaugural season of 1998 to capture the "Double".
3 - Number of appearances in the CONCACAF Champions Cup (1999, 2002, 2004).
4 - Number of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups championships (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006).
5 - Consecutive seasons the Fire's two captains -- Peter Nowak and Chris Armas -- have donned the armband.
6 - Number of domestic trophies the Fire have hoisted (one MLS Cup, four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups, one Supporters' Shield).
7 - Number of times a member of the "Men in Red" has won the Honda MLS Player of the Month honor (Andy Herron, Nate Jaqua,
Peter Nowak, Matt Pickens, Ante Razov (twice), and Hristo Stoitchkov).
8 - Number of combined MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup Final appearances.
9 - Number of Fire players that have been named to the RadioShack MLS Best XI squad (Chris Armas, DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos
Bocanegra, Lubos Kubik, Justin Mapp, Peter Nowak, Anted Razov Zach Thornton, and Hristo Stoitchkov).
10 - Number of years the Fire have given fans something to cheer for.

"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly" Radio Show - Fire Assistant Coach Daryl Shore
"Chicago Fire Soccer Weekly," a half-hour weekly soccer talk show, will air its next broadcast via WXAV 88.3 FM from the campus of Saint Xavier University (SXU) this Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 6:00 p.m. CT, and each week throughout the rest of the Fire's 2007 MLS campaign. Assistant coach Daryl Shore joins the show to discuss the Fire's 2-1 win over New England, and hosts Kevin Kellam, Angelo Bonadonna, and Terry Bonadonna will preview the upcoming match-up at D.C. United. Fans are encouraged to call in at 773.429.0463 to talk about all things Fire-related - live over the airwaves and the internet, with podcasts available through Chicago Fire or WXAV subscriptions on iTunes. For more information visit www.wxav.com or www.chicago-fire.com.

Fire - D.C. United Viewing Party at The Globe Pub
Chicago Fire Soccer has teamed up with The Globe Pub to host a viewing party this Saturday, Oct. 13, as the Fire take on D.C. United (6:30 p.m., Comcast SportsNet). The party kicks-off early with a 5:30 p.m. CT start at The Globe Pub, located at 1934 W. Irving Park, in Chicago, with free snacks, giveaways, halftime raffle, and drink specials provided all night long. For more information on The Globe Pub, visit www.theglobepub.com or call 773-871-3757.

Rolfe's Game-tying Strike up for Sierra Mist "Goal of the Week"
In Saturday's 2-1 win over New England, forward Chris Rolfe blasted a shot low and just inside the left post, beating New England goalkeeper Matt Reis to tie the contest going into the half, and the Fire went on to win the match 2-1. Rolfe's goal not only helped the Fire in their quest to make the playoffs, but is a Sierra Mist "Goal of the Week" nominee. To vote for Rolfe' game-tying tally as the Week 28 winner, go to www.mlsnet.com.

Chicago Fire Soccer to Host Inaugural Fall Wondergirl 5K Run
Chicago Fire Soccer and the Village of Bridgeview have teamed-up with Girls on the Run for the Inaugural Chicago Fire Wondergirl 5K, presented by Takeda, on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 9:00 a.m. CT at TOYOTA PARK. The Wondergirl 5k brings the enthusiasm of Girls on the Run, a non-profit prevention program that educates and prepares girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Celebrate the end of the Girls on the Run season with hundreds of young girls, many running their first 5K. Everyone can participate, and for the families out there, this is the rare event where kids and adults can run together in one race. The race benefits the Girls on the Run-Chicago and the FireWorks for Kids Foundation. For more information on the Wondergirl 5K, visit www.gotrchicago.org.

Chicago Fire Reserves Win 2-1 Over New England on Sunday
Midfielder John Thorrington notched the game-winning goal and an assist to lead the Chicago Fire Reserves (2-6-3, 9 points) past the New England Revolution Reserves, 2-1, in a Major League Soccer Reserve Division match held at the TOYOTA PARK practice field Sunday morning. Midfielder Brian Plotkin pinged one off a post and into the net in the 39th minute before New England's Sainey Nyassi answered in the 63rd minute. Thorrington broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 81st minute with a successful penalty kick, extending his scoring streak to four Reserve matches. The Fire Reserves will close out the 2007 Reserve Division campaign when they meet the Chivas USA Reserves in a make-up game to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on the MLS Reserve Division, visit http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/mls/reserve/.

Third Thursday Hosts Chicago Fire/Fans Party on Oct. 18 at Zhou B. Café
The Chicago Fire and their loyal fan base will be featured guests at the next Third Thursday event presented by Sticky, on Thursday, Oct. 18, starting at 8:00 p.m. CT. As the Fire push for the postseason play, a special event to promote the playoff chase will be held at Zhou B Café, located at 1029 W. 35th Street. Join the "Men in Red" and other fans for this special pep rally, just three days before the much-anticipated match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The event will feature player appearances, merchandise giveaways, drink specials, videos, live entertainment and more. To RSVP, contact info@thirdthursdays.tv.

2008 Season Tickets On Sale Now
Being a Chicago Fire fan means being a part of a community of pride, passion, and tradition. Becoming a Chicago Fire Season Ticket Holder means never missing a moment. Make the ultimate commitment to the Chicago Fire by becoming a Season Ticket Holder and get the best prices with even better benefits! 2008 Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available at your own convenience, with Full, Half, and Flex plans now available for purchase. For more information regarding 2008 Season Tickets contact the Chicago Fire at 888.MLS.FIRE or visit our website at www.chicago-fire.com.

2008 TOYOTA PARK Club Seats Also Available
For the best in comfort and convenience, plus the greatest mix of sports, concerts and specials events, we invite you to become a TOYOTA PARK Club Seat Holder. Some of the key benefits of becoming a Club seat holder are; midfield seat locations, Stadium Club access, VIP Parking, VIP Stadium Entrance and Pre-sale to all TOYOTA PARK events. A limited amount of Club seats are still available for the 2008 season. For more information on 2008 TOYOTA PARK club seats, call 708.496.6890.

Source: MLS