Coming off a week in which the club announced a historic jersey sponsorship with Quaker Oats, the first team escaped the snow in Chicago to begin its training camp in earnest at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Fla. last Friday. In conjunction with the Chicago Fire Juniors-Florida, based out of Naples, the Fire will conduct two-a-days for the next 11 days before departing for New Orleans, La. where the team will visit the Chicago Fire Juniors-Louisiana and play an international friendly match against Honduran side Real C.D. España on Saturday, February 4, 5:00 p.m. CT at Tad Gormley Stadium.
The Men in Red will play its first match in the Sunshine State against D.C. United this Sunday, Jan. 29 at 1:00 p.m. CT at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Additionally, the club today announced the team will face fellow MLS sides Chivas USA, Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes during phase two of preseason, to be held from February 8-18 in Ventura, Calif. With the announcement, the team’s preseason match schedule is complete and sees the side playing nine matches prior to kicking off the 2012 MLS campaign.
See below the club’s full 2012 preseason schedule.
January 20-February 3:First Team trains in Ave Maria, Fla.
TRAINING: Chicago Fire First Team - 9:00 a.m. CT – North Park – Ave Maria, Fla.
GAMES:
Sunday, January 29 – Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United – 1:00 p.m. CT – Florida Gulf Coast University
Wednesday, February 1 – Chicago Fire vs. Florida Gulf Coast University – 6:00 p.m. CT – Ave Maria University
February 3-5:First Team trains in New Orleans, La.
GAMES:
Saturday, February 4 - Chicago Fire vs. Real C.D. Espana (HON) – 5:00 p.m. CT – Tad Gormley Stadium
February 5:First Team returns to Chicago
February 8-18: First Team trains in Ventura, Calif.
GAMES:
Saturday, February 11 – Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA – Time & Location: TBD
Wednesday, February 15 – Chicago Fire vs. Portland Timbers – 1:00 p.m. CT – The Home Depot Center
Saturday, February 18 – Chicago Fire vs. San Jose Earthquakes – 11:00 a.m. CT – Ventura, Calif.
February 18:First Team returns to Chicago
February 21-March 5: First Team trains in Charleston, S.C. as part of 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup
GAMES:
Saturday, February 25 - Chicago Fire vs. DC United – 4:00 p.m. CT – Blackbaud Stadium
Wednesday, February 29 – Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew – 4:00 p.m. CT – Blackbaud Stadium
Saturday, March 3 – Chicago Fire vs. Charleston Battery (USL) – 6:15 p.m. CT – Blackbaud Stadium
March 5:First Team returns to Chicago
FIRE SIGN MULTI-YEAR JERSEY PARTHERSHIP WITH CHICAGO-BASED QUAKER OATS
The Quaker Oats Company, a division of PepsiCo, and The Chicago Fire Soccer Club are kicking off a season of food, fitness and fun for the city’s soccer fans and families. The club named Quaker as the official Breakfast Foods & Nutritious Snacks Partner of the Chicago Fire, and the centerpiece of the partnership is the new 2012 jersey, which prominently features the famed Quaker logo in a powerful yet classic design. This is only the Fire’s second jersey sponsor in the club’s 15-year history.
Throughout the partnership, Quaker and the Chicago Fire will team up to reach thousands of families, on-and-off-the-field and demonstrate the importance of eating right and staying fit. As part of this shared commitment, Quaker will provide the Chicago Fire players with nourishing breakfasts and snacks to help them fuel their performance throughout the season.
“It’s an honor to partner with a trusted Chicago-based brand like Quaker Oats that shares the same sense of community as the Chicago Fire,” said Chicago Fire owner Andrew Hauptman. “As a sports team, we know the importance of staying active, eating right and hope to inspire others to do the same. Our players are incredibly proud to don the Quaker name as they hit the field during the 2012 season.”
For more than 134 years Quaker has had a longstanding tradition of keeping families happy and healthy both nationally and locally in Chicago.
“Quaker Oats has been providing nourishing breakfasts and snacks to families for more than a century. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to promoting a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Jose Luis Prado, President, Quaker Foods and Snacks North America. “We are excited to work with the Chicago Fire to make a positive impact in the community and across the country.”
Click here for more information on the Chicago Fire/Quaker partnership.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2012 CHICAGO FIRE SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON
Get your tickets for the 14th annual Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon which will be held on Monday March 12, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. This is the first chance of the season to meet your 2012 Chicago Fire Soccer team! With a reception, lunch and silent auction featuring Chicago Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates and more, this is an event you definitely don’t want to miss! The first 20 full paid tables of ten (10) at $800 get to sit with a Fire player or coach. Purchase your tickets today to guarantee your seat for the Luncheon!
Click hereto download an order form or here to purchase your tickets online.
SECTION 8 CHICAGO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING THIS SATURDAY AT TOYOTA PARK
All Chicago Fire supporters are invited to Section 8 Chicago’s Annual General Meeting to be held this Saturday, January 28 at the Stadium Club inside Toyota Park. The annual event serves as a meeting to elect the Independent Supporters Association Board as well as discuss issues for the upcoming season.
Click here for more information on the 2012 Section 8 Chicago Annual General Meeting.
CHICAGO FIRE RE-SIGN MEXICAN INTERNATIONAL PAVEL PARDO
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced last Wednesday the club has re-signed midfielder Pavel Pardo ahead of the 2012 season. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Having joined the Men in Red last July, Pardo appeared in 14 competitive matches, tallying one goal and five assists while helping the side to the second best regular season finish in club history at 7-2-1.
“Pavel helped kick-start our turnaround at the end of last season,” said Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas. “He provides tremendous experience for us in the middle of the park, serves as a great example for our younger players and plays for the badge every time he steps on the field.”
A veteran of 148 international appearances for Mexico, Pardo has had a decorated career playing for the likes of domestic sides Club Atlas, UAG Tecos and Club America as well as helping German side VfB Stuttgart to 2006-07 Bundesliga title.
Click here for more information on Pardo re-signing with the Fire.
2012 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS ENTERED TO WIN FREE PRESEASON TRIP TO CHARLESTON, S.C.
All Chicago Fire Season Ticket Holders that have newly bought or renewed their seats for 2012 by Feb. 3 are eligible to be chosen for a trip for two to see the team in its final preseason match vs. the Charleston Battery as part of the Carolina Challenge Cup, Saturday, March 3 at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C.
Season Ticket Holders will receive one entry for every full 2012 Season Ticket purchased, with the Fire providing round-trip airfare for two, one night hotel stay and match tickets to the preseason clash.
Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or by visiting www.ourcityourclub.com.
FIRE TO OPEN UP 2012 MLS CAMPAIGN MARCH 17 AT EXPANSION MONTREAL, HOST OPENING DAY MARCH 24 AGAINST PHILADELPHIA UNION
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club, in conjunction with Major League Soccer and its national television partners, unveiled the 2012 regular season schedule Thursday. The Fire are slated to appear in a total of 13 nationally televised broadcasts throughout its 15th season of MLS play. The Fire kick off the 2012 MLS campaign with a visit to the expansion Montreal Impact in the club’s first home match Saturday, March 17 at Olympic Stadium (2:00 PM CT). The Fire’s full schedule can be seen at Chicago-Fire.com/schedule.
The Fire host Opening Day at Toyota Park against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, March 24 at 7:30 PM CT. Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club’s official website at Chicago-Fire.com.
For more information on the club’s 2012 MLS Regular Season schedule, click here.
FIRE IN THE NEWS
Chicago Fire begin preparations at Ave Maria – Woody Wommack – Naples Daily News – Jan. 20, 2012
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jan/20/soccer-chicago-fire-begin-preparations-ave-maria
Chicago Fire’s Cory Gibbs talks Quaker Partnership – Windy City Live – Jan. 19, 2012
http://windycitylive.com/episodes/Chicago-Fire-and-Quaker-Oats-Team-Up/8511172
Time for Fire to get down to business – Orrin Schwarz – The Daily Herald – Jan. 19, 2012
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120119/sports/701199670
Feeling Their Oats: Fire get new jersey partnership with Quaker – Jack McCarthy – Chicago Tribune – Jan. 17, 2012
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/chi-fire-gets-jersey-deal-with-quaker-oats-20120117,0,6102707.story
CHICAGO FIRE TEAM WRITER, JEFF CRANDALL FEATURES ON CHICAGO-FIRE.COM
Getting to know Austin Berry – Jan. 23, 2012
//www.chicago-fire.com/news/2012/01/getting-know-austin
Pardo reacts to his Fire return – Jan. 18, 2012
//www.chicago-fire.com/news/2012/01/pardo-reacts-his-return-club
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