MATCH INFO |
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<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Matchup</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size:14px;">Chicago Fire (8-19-6, 30 points) vs.<br>
New York Red Bulls (17-10-6, 57 points)</span> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Date</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size:14px;">Sunday, October 25 • 6 p.m. CT</span> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Location</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size:14px;">Toyota Park; Bridgeview, Ill.</span> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>TV</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size: 14px;">CSN Chicago (Pregame: 5:30 p.m. CT)</span> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Radio</strong></span> |
<span style="font-size:14px;">ESPN Deportes 97.5 FM Chicago (Spanish) </span> |
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Watch</strong></span> |
<a href="//www.chicago-fire.com/video/2015/10/23/fire-field-vision-powered-novacare-fire-vs-new-york-red-bulls"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Fire Field Vision Powered by NovaCare</span></strong></a> |
The Chicago Fire aim to end the 2015 campaign on a winning note Sunday when the Men In Red host the Eastern Conference-leading New York Red Bulls on Fan Appreciation Day at Toyota Park. The Red Bulls enter the season’s final weekend tied with FC Dallas in the race for the 2015 Supporters Shield (57 points) but with a significant six-goal advantage in goal differential, the first tie-breaker in determining a Supporters Shield winner.
Gameday Notes
• On Tuesday, kickoff time for Sunday's match at Toyota Park was moved to 6 p.m. CT, two hours later than its originally scheduled 4 p.m. start time. The match is part of Major League Soccer's #DecisionDay schedule,which will see all Eastern Conference matches begin simultaneously at 4 p.m. CT and all Western Conference contests kicking off at 6 p.m. CT. The lone exception is the Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls match, which was moved to coincide with the Western Conference fixtures to allow the Red Bulls and FC Dallas to compete for the Supporters Shield simultaneously.
• The match will air live on Comcast SportsNet Chicago as well as on ESPN3.com. Play-by-play man Dan Kelly will be joined in the broadcast booth by U.S. Men's National Team great, former Fire striker and Arlington Heights native Brian McBride.
• Due to Village of Bridgeview setup for an upcoming concert event at Toyota Park, fans heading to Sunday's match should anticipate new traffic patterns in the stadium's east parking lot. All parking lot entrances will be open as usual.
• Guests to Toyota Park Sunday can expect a number of special gameday elements in honor of Fan Appreciation Day:
- The Chicago Fire will issue 10,000 Scratch & Win Cards at the gates to Toyota Park, with all recipients eligible to win great prizes courtesy of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club and its partners.
- Toyota Park concessions will offer $2 Heineken Light, Tecate Light and select domestic beers
- Heineken representatives will be present in the Toyota Park concourses with random giveaways for fans
- Sparky will hold a meet-and-greet event in the Toyota Park Fan Shop from 4:30-5 p.m.
- There will be FREE coffee and hot chocolate in the Stadium Club area
- Season Ticket Holders who have bought or renewed for 2016 will see their names scrolling on the Toyota Park JumboTrons in-match
- And many more initiatives to say thank you for your support in 2015!
Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls
The Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls -- coached by longtime Fire standout Jesse Marsch, Ring of Fire member Chris Armas and former Fire head coach Denis Hamlett -- meet today for the third time in two months after splitting a pair of 3-2 outcomes. Chicago upset the visiting Red Bulls on Aug. 26 in Bridgeview, keeping the Red Bulls winless (0-9-5) in 14 all-time trips to Toyota Park. (New York last won on the road at Chicago on May 14, 2005 at Soldier Field.)
Two weeks later, the Fire traveled to Red Bull Arena and sped to a 2-0 first-half lead, but the home side managed to pull level at intermission before a 71st-minute penalty kick by New York’s Sacha Kljestan sent the match to a 3-2 finish.
The two sides enter Sunday’s fixture coming off opposite ends of lopsided scorelines a week ago, with Chicago falling 4-0 at the hands of D.C. United and New York racing past Philadelphia, 4-1, at Red Bull Arena. In the eyes of interim head coach Brian Bliss, the outcome belied a strong two weeks of preparation following an Oct. 3 win over New England.
“The result was the furthest thing from what we expected,” said Bliss, who in the wake of the defeat reiterated to his side that the performance was unacceptable. “Tactically, I didn’t think we were off the mark against D.C., but I thought we were on the passive side in many areas on the field, and that has nothing to do with tactics or ability, that’s mental. Do you want to go close somebody down quickly or do you want to go at a forward pace? For me that’s mental, not physical.”
Bliss will demand more from his group this weekend against a motivated Red Bulls side that features one of the league’s most industrious midfields in Dax McCarty, Felipe and Sacha Kljestan.
"I think they press well, so you need to press as well," said midfielder Michael Stephens. "I think if you sit back and let them have the ball it's going to be a tough day. You have to go out, initiate pressure and go after them."
“They’ve got a lot of experience among them, they’re all confident on the ball, and one common denominator that all three of those guys have is their insatiable workrate, which can overcome a lot of mishaps that happen in the course of a game,” Bliss said. “Matching their workrate is going to have to be the call of the day. It’s a tall task, not just for the Fire but for anybody that plays against them, and that’ll be a challenge for us on the weekend.”
A Milestone for the Captain
When he took the field in last week’s road contest at D.C. United, Chicago Fire captain Jeff Larentowicz became just the 30th field player in Major League Soccer history to reach 300 career MLS appearances. Now in his 11th MLS season, Larentowicz has started 92 of his 93 appearances since joining the Men In Red prior to the 2013 campaign.
Act Now to Save on 2016 Chicago Fire Season Tickets
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club is offering fans the unique opportunity to save 10% off the price of 2016 Chicago Fire Season Tickets! This offer is valid only through Sunday’s match, so act now to reserve your seat at the lowest price! Visit the Guest Services booth located behind Section 124 on gameday, call 708-496-6800 or email seasonticketservices@chicago-fire.com to speak with a Season Ticket Services Representative before time runs out!