FIRE HOST EASTERN CONFERENCE FOES NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION AT TOYOTA PARK
The Chicago Fire (11-7-5, 38 points) host the New England Revolution (6-12-5, 23 points) at Toyota Park on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. CT (NBC 5.2/97.5 ESPN Deportes).
The Fire notched their sixth come-from-behind victory Sunday with a 3-1 win at the Philadelphia Union. With the win, the Men in Red moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference and sit just five points behind the Eastern Conference leading Sporting Kansas City.
Saturday’s game marks the second of three meetings between the two squads this season. The Fire hit the post twice but two second half goals by the Revolution were the difference as the Fire fell 2-0 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on June 2. The Fire will travel to New England on Saturday, Oct. 20 to close out the regular season series.
The Revolution enter the match after falling 1-0 to the Montreal Impact at home on Sunday, Aug. 12.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING SCHEDULE: Aug. 13 – Aug. 20
Monday, Aug. 13: Off
Tuesday, Aug. 14: Off
Wednesday, Aug. 15: First Team Training 9:00 a.m.^ - Toyota Park Stadium Field
RESERVE GAME – Chicago Fire vs. Colorado Rapids – Toyota Park Practice Field – 10:00 a.m. CT
Thursday, Aug. 16: Training 9:30 a.m.^
Friday, Aug. 17: Training 9:30 a.m.^
Saturday, Aug. 18: Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution – Toyota Park – 7:30 p.m. CT – NBC 5.2/97.5 ESPN Deportes
Sunday, Aug. 19: Training 11:00 a.m.^
Monday, Aug. 20: Training 9:30 a.m.^
Training is open to the media. Fire players and coaches will be made available immediately following training.
^Training times are subject to change. Please contact Brendan Hannan at 720.937.8962 for media requests.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. New England Revolution
- The Fire hold a 18-14-9 regular season record against the New England Revolution, including a dominating 10-4-6 record in matches played at home.
- The Fire are 5-1-2 all time in matches played at Toyota Park against the Revolution, and have not lost at home since July 8, 2006.
- The Fire are currently 7-2-2 in matches played at Toyota Park this season.
- Two members of the Fire have previously spent time with the Revolution. In 2010 defender Cory Gibbs make 25 appearances, all starts, with the Revolution, and served as captain in eight games. Milford, Mass. native Michael Videira was selected in the second round (18th overall) in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft but elected to sign with Hamilton Academical of the Scottish Premier League. Videira returned to sign with the Revolution in 2009, making 12 appearances and notched a total of 973 minutes from 2009-10.
- Sunday’s victory marked the sixth time the Fire have come from behind to earn three points this season. The mark ties the Men in Red with league-leading San Jose for most comeback victories in 2012.
- Logan Pause made his 250th MLS regular season appearance on Sunday. The second year Fire captain becomes just the fifth player in MLS history to appear in 250 matches for one club, joining Jaime Moreno (329; D.C. United), Cobi Jones (306; LA Galaxy), C.J. Brown (296; Chicago Fire) and Shalrie Joseph (261; New England Revolution).
- Chris Rolfe’s goals in the 43rd and 56th minutes took his MLS goal scoring total to an even 40. Rolfe sits firmly in second place on the Fire’s all-time MLS goal scoring list and Sunday marks the fourth time the veteran striker has scored multiple goals in a Fire match.
- Defender Arne Friedrich tallied his first goal in a Fire shirt, heading home Marco Pappa’s corner kick in first half stoppage time. Friedrich becomes the fourth Fire defender to tally this season, joining Austin Berry (3 goals), Gonzalo Segares (2) and Jalil Anibaba (1) with goals from the backline in 2012.
- One of two Designated Players to join the team last month, Dutch forward Sherjill MacDonald made his first start for the Men in Red Sunday night and earned his first assist with his helper on Chris Rolfe’s 43rd minute equalizer.
- Michael Videira made his 2012 Fire debut when he entered Sunday’s match in the 70th minute for Sherjill MacDonald.
DEFENSE STANDS TALL
The Fire are 6-1-2 this season with the center back paring of German World Cup veteran Arne Friedrich and rookie Austin Berry. The tandem have only suffered one loss, against the Los Angeles Galaxy July 8, and have only given up seven goals in the nine games in which they lined up together.
The Men in Red are the only team in Major League Soccer whose defense has not allowed more than two goals in any one game during the 2012 MLS campaign.
In 23 matches, Fire goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Paolo Tornaghi have combined for a total of 82 saves, notched five shutouts and accumulated a goals against average of 1.10 goals per game.
Johnson currently holds the 2012 record for most saves in a single MLS game with 10 against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 28.
THREE CHICAGO FIRE PLAYERS CALLED UP FOR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Sunday that goalkeeper Sean Johnson (United States), midfielder Marco Pappa (Guatemala) and forward Orr Barouch (Israel U-21) have all been called up by their respective national teams for international friendlies on Wednesday, Aug. 15.
Goalkeeper Sean Johnson has been called up by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the United States Men’s National Team’s friendly match against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico on Aug. 15 at 7:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2). Johnson, who is in his third season with the Fire, has been capped twice for the United States. Johnson recently represented the United States at the U23 level during CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying. Johnson receives the nod after a run of impressive performances for the Men in Red, including a career-high ten saves against the San Jose Earthquakes on July 28. In 19 games this season for the Fire, Johnson has accumulated a 9-6-4 record including four shutouts and 66 saves. Johnson will report to Mexico City on Monday, Aug. 13.
Guatemalan midfielder Marco Pappa receives the call up for los Chapines’ friendly against Paraguay at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C. at 5:00 p.m. CT on Aug. 15. Since his international debut in 2008, Pappa has earned 28 international caps for Guatemala. Pappa scored a goal in Guatemala’s last match, a 1-1 draw against the United States in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying action at Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala on June 12. Pappa currently leads the Men in Red with six goals this season.
Orr Barouch will represent the Israel U-21 squad when they take on the Russian U-21 side on Aug. 15 at Arena Khimki in Khimki, Russia. Born in Haifa, Israel, Barouch has represented Israel at the U-21 level four times, scoring once. This season Barouch has appeared in nine games for the Men in Red, starting in the Fire’s June 2 match against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Johnson and Pappa are expected to return ahead of the Fire’s match against the New England Revolution at Toyota Park on Saturday, Aug. 18.
MARCO PAPPA TO JOIN SC HEERENVEEN AT CONCLUSION OF 2012 MLS SEASON
Chicago Fire midfielder Marco Pappa has signed a pre-contract with Dutch Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen and will join the club when the transfer window opens January 1, 2013. The Fire will retain Pappa’s MLS rights.
Pappa joined the Fire on loan from CSD Municipal on July 30, 2008 and was signed on Dec. 3, 2009. The Guatemala City, Guatemala product has started 100 of the 110 MLS Regular Season games in which he appeared for the Men in Red, scoring 26 goals and adding 14 assists. Pappa is currently tied for fourth in the club's all-time goal scoring chart.
The 24-year-old’s play with the Men in Red led to his international debut with Guatemala in a 1-0 loss to the United States in a 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Aug. 20, 2008. Pappa has since scored five goals while earning 28 international caps for Guatemala. Pappa and Guatemala will take on Paraguay in a friendly at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 5:00 p.m. CT.
CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL WHITE PARTY
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will host the Second Annual White Party presented by Swissôtel Chicago at the MCA Warehouse (1747 W. Hubbard) on Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. CT.
This unique, stylish event provides guests with an opportunity to sip cocktails while getting to know the Fire and the Chicago Fire Foundation off the pitch. The White Party will feature a premium open bar, live DJ, hors d’oeuvres and a gift bag for each guest to top off the night. Guests are strongly encouraged to don their most stylish white attire.
Proceeds from the White Party will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation. In 2011, the White Party was attended by nearly 600 urban professionals and raised more than $20,000 for the Foundation.
Tickets to the event, which start at $50 for a general admission ticket and $75 for a VIP ticket that includes an upgraded gift bag and access to the VIP lounge, can be purchased here.
Who: Chicago Fire players, staff and ticketed guests
What: The Chicago Fire Soccer Club’s Second Annual White Party presented by Swissôtel Chicago.
Where: MCA Warehouse (1747 W. Hubbard, Chicago, IL, 60686)
When: Thursday, August 23, 7:30 – 11:30 PM
For additional information, please email whiteparty@chicago-fire.com, visit Chicago-Fire.com or click here: http://chicagofirewhiteparty.eventbrite.com/.
CHICAGO FIRE RALLY TO TOP PHILADELPHIA UNION 3-1
The Chicago Fire conceded the first goal but used a Chris Rolfe brace and Arne Friedrich’s first MLS strike to defeat the Philadelphia Union (3-1 Sunday night at PPL Park in Chester, Penn. The victory marks the sixth time the Fire have come from behind to earn three points during the 2012 season.
The Union broke through in the 34th minute. Freddy Adu chipped a free kick from the right looking for Chandler Hoffman, with the rookie’s run throwing off Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson. The ball skipped towards the net and would be credited as an own goal to Jalil Anibaba as the Fire defender’s swiping effort couldn’t keep the ball out of the net.
Anibaba and the Fire would respond just seven minutes later though when the second-year defender played a great combination with Sherjill MacDonald on the right. The Dutch forward cut towards the end line before centering a simple, low ball for Chris Rolfe who buried his effort past MacMath.
Deep into first half stoppage time, the Fire would get the go-ahead goal when Marco Pappa’s swerving free kick from the right picked out Arne Friedrich and the charging German defender headed the ball into the back of the net to give the Fire a 2-1 lead going into the break.
The Fire would claim a two-goal advantage after the break when a long ball out of the back from Johnson was flicked on at midfield by first half substitute Patrick Nyarko. Rolfe would calmly take the ball to the top of the penalty area before unleashing a blast inside the opposite post in the 56th minute.
With the Union pushing forward, the score almost went to 4-1 when Rolfe slid MacDonald in alone on goal but MacMath bravely came off his line to make a kick save in the 60th minute.
As Philadelphia continued to commit numbers forward, the Fire found space to expose at the back and Rolfe would twice come close to his second career hat trick.
First in the 87th minute when Alex played him into the box on the left. The veteran striker held up the ball before firing an effort that was deflected out for a corner kick by Union defender Bakary Soumare.
Just one minute later Alvaro Fernandez would find him at the top of the box leaving Rolfe to take the ball off his chest before hitting a first-time effort that trickled wide left of goal, leaving the Fire with a 3-1 away victory.
CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB TO HOST MEXICAN CHAMPIONS CLUB SANTOS LAGUNA SEPTEMBER 8 AT TOYOTA PARK
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced that the Fire will welcome four-time Mexican Primera División champions, Club Santos Laguna to Toyota Park for an international friendly on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. CT.
Advance tickets for the first meeting between the Chicago Fire and Santos Laguna go on sale Wednesday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m. CT and are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire or by visiting www.chicago-fire.com. The international friendly will serve as Bonus Game 2 in the Fire Season Ticket and Ten Game packages.
Reigning Clausura Champions Santos Laguna have captured four titles in Mexico’s Primera División, most recently defeating Monterey 3-2 on aggregate to capture the 2012 tournament. Santos Laguna has experienced success in the CONCACAF region as well. The Albiverdes placed second in the 2011/12 CONCACAF Champions League. Santos Laguna were also crowned champions of the inaugural 2004 InterLiga tournament, the tournament between Mexican clubs to determine qualifying spots for the Copa Libertadores.
For the second consecutive year, the Fire will welcome a Mexican opponent to Toyota Park. In 2011, the Fire took on Chivas de Guadalajara in front of a crowd of more than 18,000. A 61st minute goal by Jorge Mora would prove the difference as Chivas de Guadalajara escaped with a 1-0 victory.
Santos Laguna’s roster currently boasts star goalkeeper and Mexican international Oswaldo Sánchez, a three-time FIFA World Cup veteran. U.S. international forward Hercules Gomez tallied five goals in 12 appearances for the Torreon side. Gomez appeared in three games for the United States Men’s National Team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and spent six years plying his trade in MLS with the LA Galaxy, Colorado Rapids and Kansas City Wizards.
This is the second international friendly scheduled for the Fire this season. The Men in Red hosted English Premier League side Aston Villa in a match Presented by TrueCar at Toyota Park on Saturday, July 21.
MOLLY’S CUPCAKES TO FEATURE CHICAGO FIRE CUPCAKE
Lincoln Park bakery Molly’s Cupcakes (2536 N. Clark) has created a limited-edition Chicago Fire Velvet Swirl cupcake that will be available for the month of August. A twist on the classic red velvet cupcake, one dollar from every purchase will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation. Check out this video of Fire defender Gonzalo Segares touring Molly’s - //www.chicago-fire.com/blog/post/2012/08/02/sega-indulges-mollys-cupcakes.
FIRE IN THE NEWS
Rolfe Brace Leads Fire to comeback victory at PPL Park vs. Union – Ives Galarcep – Aug. 12, 2012
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2012/08/rolfes-brace-leads-fire-to-comeback-victory-at-ppl-park-vs-union.html
Fire can't afford letdown - Jack McCarthy - Chicago Tribune - August 11, 2012
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/ct-spt-0812-fire-chicago--20120811,0,5414087.story
Fire defender Arne Friedrich has played his way into form - Seth Gruen - Chicago Sun-Times - August 11, 2012
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/soccer/fire/14382424-626/fire-defender-arne-friedrich-has-played-his-way-into-form.html
Fire pointing the way to end playoff drought - Orrin Schwarz - Daily Herald - August 9, 2012
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120809/sports/708099823/
Johnson defends his house - Guillermo Rivera - Chicago Fire Confidential - August 7, 2012
http://www.chicagonow.com/fire-confidential/2012/08/johnson-defends-his-house/#image/1
CHICAGO FIRE TEAM WRITER, JEFF CRANDALL FEATURES ON CHICAGO-FIRE.COM
Fire Players Johnson, Pappa, Barouch Talk National Team Calls – August 12, 2012
//www.chicago-fire.com/news/2012/08/fire-players-johnson-pappa-barouch-talk-national-team-calls
Five Things You Should Know About Sunday’s Game at Philadelphia – August 12, 2012
//www.chicago-fire.com/news/2012/08/five-things-you-should-know-about-sundays-game-philadelphia
By the Numbers: Can Pappa Catch Wolff? – August 9, 2012
//www.chicago-fire.com/blog/post/2012/08/09/numbers-can-pappa-catch-wolff
