The Fire (5-5-6, 21 points) have nine days to build off of their dramatic 0-0 draw with the New York Red Bulls. The highly anticipated match featured five Designated Players and the largest crowd in TOYOTA PARK history for a Fire match. The Fire host another Eastern Conference foe, the New England Revolution, (5-9-3, 18 points) at TOYOTA PARK on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 PM CT (My50).
With no games on the docket for this weekend, the Fire spend the week training at TOYOTA PARK in preparation for a busy second half of August. The Men in Red will play three matches over the course of 11 days from Aug. 18-28 and Fire Head Coach Carlos de los Cobos will use the nine days between matches to prep for a second half playoff push. The Fire will continue to integrate Designated Players Freddie Ljungberg and Nery Castillo into the team while welcoming back former Fire defender Gonzalo Segares, who returns to the club after a six month stint in Cyprus.
CHICAGO FIRE PLAY NEW YORK RED BULLS TO THRILLING 0-0 DRAW IN FRONT OF LARGEST FIRE CROWD IN TOYOTA PARK HISTORY
Fire rookie goalkeeper Sean Johnson dazzled in goal with seven saves and new Fire Designated Players Freddie Ljungberg and Nery Castillo made their home debuts as the Fire played Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and the New York Red Bulls to a 0-0 draw in front of 21,868 fans, the largest crowd ever for a Fire match at TOYOTA PARK. For a full recap head to http://www.Chicago-Fire.com
SEAN JOHNSON WINS NAPA SAVE OF THE WEEK AWARD
Chicago Fire rookie goalkeeper Sean Johnson picked up his first NAPA MLS Save of the Week Award last week, becoming the first goalkeeper to win the award in his MLS debut. Johnson’s crucial save in the 85th minute preserved the Fire’s 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. The 21-year-old made the diving save to stop Galaxy substitute Alan Gordon’s header from reaching the bottom left corner of the net. Last Sunday’s victory also marked Johnson’s MLS debut, recording four saves for the Fire. Johnson becomes the second Fire goalkeeper to capture the Napa Save of the Week Award in 2010; Andrew Dykstra http://www.mlssoccer.com/player/andrew-dykstra took the prize in Week 5.
Johnson earned 50 percent of the vote, topping Kansas City Wizards goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen stop of a Mista strike in the KC Wizards – Toronto FC matchup.
CHICAGO FIRE REACQUIRE DEFENDER GONZALO SEGARES
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club reacquired defender Gonzalo Segares. The 27-year-old Costa Rican defender rejoins the Fire on a free transfer after spending six months with Cypriot side Apollon Limassol. Segares will become available for selection by Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos upon the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per MLS and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Segares began his professional career with the Fire as a third round selection in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft. During his time with the club from 2005 to 2009, the Costa Rican international scored eight goals and tallied seven assists in 108 matches. While a regular starter during the 2006 season, Segares helped the Fire to the club’s fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In 2007, Segares was recognized as the Fire Defender of the Year due to his hard-nosed, stingy defensive efforts.
Segares’ consistent performance with the Fire led to his first career appearance with the Costa Rican national team during a friendly match against Honduras Sept. 9, 2007. Since then, he has become a first team member for Costa Rica, appearing 13 times in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
After departing the Fire in 2009, Segares signed with Apollon Limassol of Cyprus, where he appeared in 12 matches and helped the club to a fourth-place finish in the Cypriot First Division.
HIT THE LINKS WITH FRANK KLOPAS AND THE CHICAGO FIRE
The Chicago Fire, in conjunction with the Chicago Fire Foundation, will host the 10th Annual Frank Klopas Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Outing on Monday, September 20 at the Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood, IL. Sign-in will open from 8:30 – 9:15 AM CT followed by a shotgun start at 9:30 AM CT.
The celebrity golf outing gives an exciting opportunity for fans to interact with the 2010 Chicago Fire team. Each foursome will play 18 holes of golf with a Chicago Fire player or coach in a scramble format. The event includes a continental breakfast, 18 holes of golf, a cart and lunch with a cocktail reception and buffet dinner to follow. The day-long event will conclude with a silent auction, raffle and the awarding of the day’s prizes.
Fans interested in attending can secure a spot for $275 per golfer, $880 per foursome or enjoy dinner and reception only for $100 each. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. All contributions are tax deductible. Space is limited and this event will sell out. Money raised at the event benefits the Chicago Fire Foundation, which enriches the quality of life of the Chicagoland community, particularly its youth, and continues to support organizations whose programs fall in the areas of health and wellness, education and the environment.
FIRE ENCOURAGE FANS TO DROP OFF SCHOOL SUPPLIES AT TOYOTA
The Chicago Fire, in conjunction with the Chicago Fire Foundation, will participate in a Back-to-School Drive to collect school supplies throughout the month of August for schools and non-profit organizations throughout the Chicagoland community. The Chicago Fire Back-to-School Drive allows individuals to donate new or gently used school supplies ranging from backpacks, folders and notebooks to pencils, crayons, glue and scissors.
Join Fire defender and Back-to-School Drive spokesperson Dasan Robinson in donating acceptable supplies at the bin located in FireFest (near Gate C) during the Aug. 18 Fire home game against the New England Revolution at TOYOTA PARK. Fans making donations on these dates will receive $5 off a ticket to a 2010 Chicago Fire regular season home game, some restrictions may apply, please call please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or head to the club’s official website at http://www.Chicago-Fire.comfor additional details.
Schools or charitable organizations in need of donated school supplies may contact the Chicago Fire Foundation for possible assistance. For more information on the Back-to-School drive, contact Kristin Johnson at 708-496-6754 or at mailto:Kjohnson@chicago-fire.com>.
