FIRE HEAD TO CHARLESTON, S.C. FOR CAROLINA CHALLENGE CUP
After a nine-day training camp in Ventura, Calif., the Fire head to Charleston, S.C. to partake in the 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup for the third consecutive season. The Fire, who hold a 2-2-1 overall record in Challenge Cup play, will face fellow MLS clubs Houston Dynamo, Vancouver Whitecaps and USL-PRO side Charleston Battery in the 10th edition of the tournament. All three Fire matches at the annual preseason tournament will be streamed live via Chicago-Fire.com and can be followed @ChiFireMatch on Twitter.
Tickets for the 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup are available at (843) 971-GOAL (4625) or www.charlestonbattery.com.
The club’s full preseason schedule can be found here.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING SCHEDULE: Feb. 11 – Feb. 24
Monday, Feb. 11: Off
Tuesday, Feb. 12: Off
Wednesday, Feb. 13: Depart for Charleston
Thursday, Feb. 14: Training 9:30 a.m. CT^
Friday, Feb. 15: Training 9:30 a.m. CT^
Saturday, Feb. 16: Chicago Fire vs. Houston Dynamo – Carolina Challenge Cup - Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, S.C. – 4:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, Feb. 17: Chicago Fire vs. Coastal Carolina University – Charleston Southern University – 12:00 p.m. CT
Monday, Feb. 18: Training 9:30 a.m. CT^
Tuesday, Feb. 19: Training 9:30 a.m. CT^
Wednesday, Feb. 20: Chicago Fire vs. Charleston Battery – Carolina Challenge Cup – Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, S.C. – 6:15 p.m. CT
Thursday, Feb. 21: Training 9:30 a.m. CT^
Friday, Feb. 22: Training 9:30 a.m. CT^
Saturday, Feb. 23: Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Carolina Challenge Cup – Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, S.C. – 4:00 p.m. CT
Sunday, Feb. 24: Return to Chicago
*Training will take place at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, S.C.
^Training is open to the media. Fire players and coaches will be made available immediately following training. Times are subject to change. Please contact Brendan Hannan or Eunice Kim for media requests.
CHICAGO FIRE CLOSE CALIFORNIA LEG OF PRESEASON WITH 1-0 WIN OVER THE SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The Chicago Fire concluded their nine-day West Coast training camp with a 1-0 win over the 2012 Supporters’ Shield Winners San Jose Earthquakes Saturday evening at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, Calif. Offseason acquisition Jeff Larentowicz converted a late 79th minute penalty kick to give the Fire the victory. In the first match of the doubleheader, the Fire drew 1-1 with UC Santa Barbara courtesy of a 12th minute header by Michael Videira.
On Tuesday, Feb. 5 the Fire drew Chivas USA 1-1 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The Fire’s 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick Yazid Atouba’s 52nd minute equalizer was the Cameroonian youth international’s second goal in two consecutive matches.
As the squad begins to take shape, Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas utilized a total of 33 players over the course of the three matches.
MARCH TO SOCCER – FIRE OPEN 16TH CAMPAIGN AGAINST MLS CUP CHAMPION LA GALAXY IN 21 DAYS
The Men in Red open their 16th season on the road in just 21 days when they visit two-time defending MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center on Sunday, March 3 at 4:00 p.m. CT (Univision). The following week, in just 27 days, the Fire will host the New England Revolution for Opening Night at Toyota Park on Saturday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. CT (NBC Sports Network).
The Fire’s full 2013 schedule can be found at www.Chicago-Fire.com/schedule. The Fire are slated to appear in a total of 16 nationally televised broadcasts throughout its 16th season of MLS play.
CHICAGO FIRE NOW ACCEPTING MEDIA CREDENTIAL APPLICATIONS FOR 2013 SEASON
Applications for media credentials for the 2013 Chicago Fire season are now available. Individual media members looking to receive a season credential can access the application online here or via this link: https://chicagofire2013.iworldreg.com/public/apply/mediamassapply.
All credential applications must be accompanied by a photo headshot and received by 5:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 15. All media interested in credentials for the entire 2013 season are asked to apply.
Media members who will not be covering the entire Fire season can request single game credentials through the Fire Communications Department by emailing Fire Communications Coordinator Eunice Kim at ekim@chicago-fire.com. The bearer must be on a specific assignment for the organization to which the credential is issued.
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS FOR THE CLUB’S 2013 MLS CAMPAIGN AT TOYOTA PARK NOW ON SALE
Individual single game tickets for the club’s 16th MLS season at Toyota Park are now on sale via Ticketmaster.
One of the most affordable live events in the Chicagoland area, single game ticket prices start as low as $20 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
Chicago Fire Season Tickets and #cf97withdrawals Winter Packs, which give fans the opportunity to witness the Men in Red in action on Opening Day while donning the four Fire hats and four pairs of Fire gloves included in the pack are now on sale. Tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE, via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club’s official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Season Ticket Holder exchanges will begin Monday, February 18.
SUPPORT THE CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION AT THE 15TH ANNUAL SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON MONDAY, MARCH 5
Get your tickets for the 15th annual Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon which will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati will help kickoff the event by delivering the keynote address. This is the first chance of the season to meet your 2013 Chicago Fire Soccer team. The event includes a reception, lunch and silent auction featuring Chicago Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates and more. The first 20 full paid tables of ten (10) at $850 will be seated with a Fire player or coach. Tickets are available here or by calling (708) 496-6751.
FIRE IN THE NEWS
Fire top Earthquakes 1-0 in exhibition - Jack McCarthy - Chicago Tribune - February 9, 2013
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/ct-spt-0210-fire-chicago--20130210,0,7127211.story
Fire searches for more help at striker - Seth Gruen - Chicago Sun-Times - February 4, 2013
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/18014359-419/fire-searches-for-more-help-at-striker.html
Fire has ‘valuable asset’ in Rogers - Orrin Schwarz - Daily Herald - February 4, 2013
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130204/sports/702049633/
Frank Klopas: Chicago’s soccer ambassador - Len Ziehm - CSNChicago.com - February 6, 2013
http://www.csnchicago.com/fire/frank-klopas-chicagos-soccer-ambassador
New Fire MF Duka: “I was too complacent in Columbus” - Anthony Zilis - MLSsoccer.com - February 5, 2013
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/05/new-chicago-mf-duka-i-was-too-complacent-columbus
CHICAGO FIRE TEAM WRITER, JEFF CRANDALL FEATURES ON CHICAGO-FIRE.COM
Thoughts on the Fire’s 1-0 victory over San Jose – February 10, 2013
www.chicago-fire.com/news/2013/02/thoughts-saturdays-1-0-win-over-san-jose
Camp Notebook: Nyarko trains in full, Johnson set to arrive – February 7, 2013
//www.chicago-fire.com/news/2013/02/camp-notebook-nyarko-trains-full-johnson-set-arrive
Fire SuperDraft selection Yazid Atouba showing why team took a chance on him – February 6, 2013
//www.chicago-fire.com/news/2013/02/yazid-atouba-feature%20
Corben Bone off and running with new Fire chance – February 6, 2013
//www.chicago-fire.com/news/2013/02/corben-bone-and-running-new-fire-chance
