While the Chicago Fire offseason may seem like an eternity, there are a number of important dates that take place to whet the appetite. The offseason drama began last Wednesday as the Montreal Impact selected 10 players in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft.
See below the rest of the important offseason dates for the Chicago Fire.
December 5
Re-Entry Process Stage 1 Draft — The first of two drafts for re-allocating the rights to players whose options are not picked up or who are out of contract. Click here for more details.
NOTE: If the inaugural 2010 Re-Entry Drafts are anything to go by, the first round of Major League Soccer’s form of free-agency isn’t much of an affair as team’s that select players in the first exercise will pick up their original salary number.Only two players were selected in the Stage 1 of the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft.
December 12
Re-Entry Process Stage 2 Draft — The second of two drafts for re-allocating the rights to players whose options are not picked up or who are out of contract.
NOTE: The second round of the Re-Entry Draft is when the high drama happens, as teams and players are allowed to negotiate a new contract once selected. Stage 2 last year was the instance in which the Chicago Fire picked veteran defender Cory Gibbs from the New England Revolution, one of 11 players selected during the second phase.
January 6-10
2012 adidas MLS Player Combine — Held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, an annual four-day showcase for talented collegiate and young foreign talent to show off their skills in front of MLS Technical Staffs ahead of the MLS SuperDraft.
January 12
2012 MLS SuperDraft — The annual selection event for collegiate and young international players. A two-round draft to be held in Kansas City, Missouri, held in conjunction with the NSCAA. The Chicago Fire currently hold the ninth (first round), 23rd and 28th overall picks (both second round) in the 2012 SuperDraft.
NOTE: Chicago Fire defender Jalil Anibaba was taken with the ninth overall selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft held in Baltimore, Maryland.
January 17
2012 Supplemental Draft — A four-round draft for players who were not selected or available in the SuperDraft.
NOTE: The Chicago Fire currently hold the ninth (first round), 28th (second round) 47th (third round) and 66th (fourth round) overall picks in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft.
January 17
Chicago Fire players report back to Toyota Park for preseason training camp.
February 25-March 3
Carolina Challenge Cup – The Chicago Fire take part in North America’s premier preseason tournament, hosted in Charleston, South Carolina by USL-Pro side Charleston Battery and joined by MLS clubs DC United and the Columbus Crew. The Fire will face DC (February 25 at 5pm ET), Columbus (February 29 at 5pm ET) and Charleston (March 3 at 7:15pm ET). Tickets are available by visiting www.charlestonbattery.com.
NOTE: The Carolina Challenge Cup is one phase of the club’s 2012 preseason plans. Full preseason itinerary will be released as a later date.
Mid-March
First Kick — The 2012 MLS regular season begins.
March 24
2012 Chicago Fire Home Opener at Toyota Park.
