CHICAGO (Dec. 17, 2014) – The Chicago Fire announced its full 2015 MLS preseason training camp schedule that will include trips to England and Portland ahead of the club’s 18th MLS season. Fire players will arrive at Toyota Park on Sunday, Jan. 25 for entrance physicals.
“I’m looking forward to getting the full group together so we can hit the ground running right from the start,” said Fire Head Coach and Director of Soccer Frank Yallop. “Preseason is an important time that will set the tone for opening week. We’ll be utilizing top facilities, including our own right here in Chicago, and we have put together a slate of competitive matches that especially with our exciting new additions, will help the team come together and be ready to compete.”
The Fire will train in the Chicagoland area for six days from Jan. 26-31, utilizing the new PrivateBank Fire Pitch located on the north side of the city (3626 N. Talman Avenue) and the Bridgeview Sports Dome (8900 South 77th Avenue).
The Fire then head to England from Feb. 1 through Feb. 13. While in England, the Men in Red first train at the Norwich City Football Club Colney Training Centre from Feb. 2-10 prior to spending the final four days training in London at the Queens Park Rangers Training Centre. This second leg of preseason will include matches against Norwich City Football Club and Queens Park Rangers.
For the final leg, the Men in Red close out preseason from Feb. 19 – March 1 in Portland, Ore. as part of The 2015 Simple Invitational where they face fellow MLS sides Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps SC, and Norwegian Tippeligaen club Stabaek, led by former Fire Head Coach Bob Bradley, and the former side of new Fire midfielder Michael Stephens.
Individual tickets for The 2015 Simple Invitational, which allow entry into both matches each day, start at $13 and go on sale to the general public starting on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at noon CT online at www.timbers.com. Three-game ticket packages for The Simple Invitational, starting at $33, also will be available for purchase online.
Below is the club’s full 2015 preseason schedule:
Jan. 25: Players report to Toyota Park for entrance physicals
Jan. 26-31: Training at The PrivateBank Fire Pitch and the Bridgeview Sports Dome
Feb. 1: Depart for Norwich, England
Feb. 2-10: First Team trains at Norwich City Football Club Colney Training Centre
Game:
Thursday, Feb.5 – Chicago Fire vs. Norwich City Football Club
Feb. 10: Depart for London, England
Feb. 11-13: Training at Queens Park Rangers Training Centre
Game:
Thursday, Feb. 12 – Chicago Fire vs. Queens Park Rangers
Feb. 13: Return to Chicago
Feb. 19 – March 1: First team trains in Portland, Ore. as part of The 2015 Simple Invitational
Games:
Sunday, Feb. 22 – Chicago Fire vs. Stabaek – 4:30 p.m. CT – Providence Park
Wednesday, Feb. 25 – Chicago Fire vs. Portland Timbers – 9:30 p.m. CT – Providence Park
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 4:30 p.m. CT – Providence Park
