CHICAGO FIRE CONTINUES 2014 PREPARATIONS WITH TWO MATCHES IN FLORIDA
The Chicago Fire continue their preseason training at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. with two matches against defending USL PRO champions Orlando City SC on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET and D.C. United on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 10:00 a.m. CT. Tickets for the matches are available here.
On Saturday evening, the Fire defeated D.C. United 2-0. Fire Homegrown player Harry Shipp led the charge, scoring the first goal and assisting on the second. The match also served as the debut for U.S. youth international Benji Joya, who was acquired by the Fire last week through a weighted lottery. Fire Head Coach Frank Yallop used the match to further evaluate the squad, as 22 players saw action in the preseason friendly.
The Fire have yet to concede a goal in two preseason matches.
The Men in Red return to Chicago on Wednesday to regroup before closing out preseason from Feb. 15 – March 2 in Tucson, Ariz., as part of the Desert Diamond Cup where they will face fellow MLS sides Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution, and USL PDL side FC Tucson.
CHICAGO FIRE TRAINING SCHEDULE: Feb. 11 – Feb. 17
Tuesday, Feb. 11 Training 10:30 a.m. ET^
Chicago Fire vs. Orlando City SC – IMG Academy – Bradenton, Fla. – 7:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Feb. 12 Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United – IMG Academy – Bradenton, Fla. – 10:00 a.m. ET
Return to Chicago
Thursday, Feb. 13 Off
Friday, Feb. 14 Off
Saturday, Feb. 15 Depart for Tucson, Ariz.
Sunday, Feb. 16 Training TBA
Monday, Feb. 17 Training TBA
Training will take place at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
^Media members interested in attending training are asked to contact Eunice Kim at ekim@chicago-fire.com Times are subject to change.
FRANK YALLOP CONFERENCE CALL
Chicago Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop will be available for a media conference call on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 12:30 p.m. CT in advance of the final two matches of the team’s Bradenton camp.
Media members interested in participating in the call are asked to RSVP by emailing ekim@chicago-fire.com.
MIKE MAGEE TO ACCEPT “FIRE OF THE YEAR” HONORS AT 26TH ANNUAL COMCAST SPORTSNET AWARDS
Reigning MLS MVP Mike Magee will be honored as the “Fire of the Year” at the 26th annual Comcast SportsNet Awards presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois benefiting the March of Dimes on Monday, Feb. 10. The annual reception, dinner and ceremony will be held at the Hilton Chicago & Towers (720 S. Michigan Ave.) from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. CT. Over the past 25 years, the Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards have raised more than $10 million for the March of Dimes.
Top athletes from Chicago’s professional teams will be honored for their considerable contributions to the team and the Chicago community. Joining Magee as honorees for the event are “Bull of the Year” Nazr Mohammed, “Cub of the Year” Welington Castillo, “White Sox of the Year” Nate Jones, “Blackhawk of the Year” Patrick Sharp, “Bear of the Year” Martellus Bennett, and “Lifetime Achievement Award” honoree Stan Mikita. This year’s March of Dimes “Inspirational Athlete” award winner is 18-year-old Naperville, Ill. resident and Paralympic swimmer Alyssa Gialamas.
The evening is also scheduled to include a special honor to the 2013 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, along with a tribute to Comcast SportsNet’s leader and longtime March of Dimes advocate, the late Jim Corno, Sr. (1947-2013).
Additional information for the event can be found here.
CHICAGO FIRE HOST OPENING DAY ON MARCH 23
The Fire will host 2013 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners New York Red Bulls for Opening Day at Toyota Park, presented by Giordano’s Chicago Pizza, on Sunday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. CT. The Men in Red will begin their 17th season two weeks prior on the road when they visit Chivas USA at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. CT.
Single game tickets to the Fire’s 17 MLS Regular Season home matches and to the July 26 international friendly against Barclay’s Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur FC are now available via Ticketmaster and www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Throughout the season, Fire fans that enter Toyota Park early will have the first chance at exciting giveaways including a team poster on Opening Day, presented by Giordano’s Chicago Pizza, a Fire scarf on April 19 vs. the New England Revolution, a Fire flag on July 19 at the Fire vs. Philadelphia Union match presented by Cricket Wireless, and dog tags for Military Appreciation Night, presented by TrueCar, when the Fire host the Columbus Crew on Aug. 2.
Fire fans can take advantage of concession discounts on select nights including $2 hot dogs on April 19, July 2 and Oct. 5. Fire fans 21 years and older can enjoy $2 beer on March 23, May 3 and Oct. 5.
Additional promotions and giveaways will be announced on a later date.
The Fire’s full season schedule can be found here.
CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION TO HOLD 16TH ANNUAL SEASON KICKOFF LUNCHEON AND UNVEIL NEW PRIMARY KIT ON MARCH 4
The Chicago Fire Foundation, the charitable arm of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, will hold its 16th Annual Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon on Tuesday, March 4 at 11:00 a.m. CT at the Hyatt Regency Chicago (151 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601).
The annual event, benefiting the Chicago Fire Foundation, offers Fire supporters the first opportunity to meet the 2014 Chicago Fire team and raise funds in the name of charity. In addition to interacting with Fire players, coaches and technical staff, the event includes a reception, lunch and silent auction where attendees can bid on autographed Fire and other sports memorabilia, gift certificates and much more. In 2013, the Season Kickoff Luncheon raised more than $70,000 benefiting soccer and education programs for underprivileged Chicagoland youths.
The Fire will also unveil its new 2014 primary kit at the luncheon as part of the second annual MLS Jersey week. All event attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to both see and purchase the kit before its public release.
Tickets are on sale here or by calling (708) 496-6751. Individual tickets are $90 a person, with full tables for 10 guests at $850. The first 20 tables purchased at $1,000 will be seated with a member of the Fire first team or coaching staff.
