Weekly Notes: Playoffs within reach
Fire can clinch postseason spot this weekend with help
Just three games remain in the Chicago Fire's Major League Soccer regular season, and as the playoffs draw closer, the team will be squarely focused on clinching a position in the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 seasons. The Columbus Crew became the first team to qualify for the 2009 MLS post season with a 2-0 shutout win last weekend over the Los Angeles Galaxy, who the Fire will face this Friday, Oct. 2 (10 p.m. CT, ESPN2/Deportes) at The Home Depot in Carson, California.
The Fire could clinch a playoff spot this weekend:
IF the Fire defeat the Galaxy and pick up 3 points on the road AND D.C. United fails to defeat Chivas USA, the Fire will have secured a spot in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Last season, the Fire dropped their second to last match (3-2 @ Toronto) and the team's playoff hopes came down to their final match against rival New York. The Fire clinched a spot in the playoffs after a 5-2 routing of the New York Red Bulls in their final regular season contest. The year before, the 2007 Fire squad earned their playoff spot with a 1-0 win over the Galaxy with the game-winner coming from California native John Thorrington.
FIRE and GALAXY: MORE SIMILAR THAN DIFFERENT
• Both teams have a 2009 record of 10-6-11 for 41 points.
•Both two teams are atop the league in road game wins.
• The Fire and Galaxy are currently the second place team in their respective conferences
• Both teams have struggled to get wins at home (Fire: fou r home wins - Galaxy: five home wins)
• Both teams have a goal differential of -2 at home and are the only two teams in the league that have a positive goal differential on the road (Fire: +7 - Galaxy: +4)
• While the Fire have allowed 10 goals in the last 7 games, posting just one shutout through that span, the Galaxy have also allowed 10 goals through their last 7 matches played - the only difference is that the Galaxy posted four shutouts through that span. The Galaxy suffered from a 6-3 loss to Dallas displaying a complete defensive breakdown that was uncharacteristic of the team through recent contests.
Chicago Fire Attack: 38 goals / 36 assists
Brian McBride - 7 goals / 2 assists
Chris Rolfe - 6 goals / 1 assists
Cuauhtémoc Blanco - 5 goals / 8 assists
Marco Pappa - 5 goals / 4 assists
Los Angeles Galaxy Attack: 33 goals / 33 assists
Landon Donovan - 10 goals / 6 assists
Edson Buddle - 5 goals / 0 assists
Alan Gordon - 3 goals / 3 assists
David Beckham - 2 goals / 3 assists
ROAD WARRIORS:
Wins/Losses: With a road record of 6-2-5, Chicago has earned 23 of their 41 total points on the road in 13 of 27 total games played. The next best road team through the 2009 season is Los Angeles who, with a road record of 5-2-7 have earned 22 of their 41 total points away from home. The Fire hold the longest undefeated road streak in MLS this season, going seven games without a loss on the road to start the season. The Fire did eventually drop a match to D.C. United on June 13 on the road. The seven game undefeated road streak was part of the Fire's 11-game undefeated streak to start the season.
Goals For/Goals Against: The Fire have the most road goals in the league and with 23 goals through 13 games played, the Fire also have the best road scoring average (1.77 goals per game). The Fire are tied (with Chivas USA) for the fourth best road goals against average in 2009. The Fire have allowed just 16 goals away from home and only the Galaxy, Crew, and Dynamo have allowed fewer goals during road contests.
CHICAGO FIRE WEEKLY AGENDA
Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708.496.6725 or 6726 to confirm training schedule.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 Fire Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field - 9:45 a.m. CT
Thursday, Oct. 1 Fire Training at The Home Depot Center - Field - 10 a.m. PT
Friday, Oct. 2 Fire @ Galaxy - The Home Depot Center - ESPN2/Deportes- 10 p.m. CT
Saturday, Sept. 26 OFF
Sunday, Sept. 27 OFF
Monday, Sept. 28 Fire Training at TOYOTA PARK practice field - 9 a.m. CT
CHICAGO FIRE/ATHLETIC "RECOVERY ROOM"
**as of Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
OUT:
John Thorrington - Pubalgia [Sports Hernia]
None
MYRIE AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION
Recently signed Fire defender Dave Myrie is available for selection as the U.S. Soccer Federation received his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and was named to the 18-man roster last weekend against Toronto FC. The Fire signed the defender on September 15th and the 21-year-old counts as an international and a discovery signing on the team's Senior Roster.
TOYOTA PARK TO HOST OLYMPIC BID WATCH PARTY FRIDAY
Community and civic leaders from around the southland area will gather to watch the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics announcement live from Copenhagan, Denmark this Friday, October 2 at TOYOTA PARK. The first round vote will be announced at 10:10 a.m. CT, the second round vote will be announced at 10:40 a.m. CT, and the official announcement will be made at 12 noon CT. The official 2016 Olympic Bid watch party at TOYOTA PARK will be held in the TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club.
FIRE TO HOST WATCH PARTY FOR FIRE vs. LA GAME AT GALWAY ARMS FRIDAY
Don't miss a minute of the action as the Fire take on the Galaxy this Friday in Los Angeles. The Fire will be hosting a watch party for the matchup at Galway Arms, located at 2442 N. Clark, in Chicago. Bring your scarves and flags to Galway Arms and watch the Fire dominate the Galaxy. The Fire will be holding a halftime raffle, and WXRT radio will be on site from 9pm-11pm with plenty of giveaways and prizes. Kickoff is at 10 p.m. CT - but the party starts at 9 p.m. CT.
FIRE ANNOUNCE FIRST THREE MATCHES OF 2010 SEASON
The Fire have announced that the club will begin its 13th season of play on Saturday, March 27, 2010 against the New York Red Bulls in the first-ever MLS match at the new Red Bull Arena. The game will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN2/Deportes with kickoff set for 6 p.m. CT. After the Fire travel to Colorado in MLS Week Two for a match against the Rapids on Saturday, April 3 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (time TBD), the Fire will host the San Jose Earthquakes for Opening Night at TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, April 10. Kickoff for the Fire's first home game of the season will be at 7:30 p.m. CT. The full schedule for the 2010 MLS regular season, including the Fire's remaining 28 games and broadcast schedule, will be announced early next year.
The Fire will announce individual game ticket information in the coming months, but fans can secure their seats for Opening Night at TOYOTA PARK against the Earthquakes by purchasing a 2010 Full Season Ticket Package, starting at just $179. For more information or to purchase 2010 Season Tickets, call 888-MLS-FIRE.
FIRE TO INDUCT CHRIS ARMAS INTO "RING OF FIRE" HALL OF FAME
Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that former Fire midfielder Chris Armas will be inducted into the prestigious "Ring of Fire" Hall of Fame on October 22, 2009. The induction will take place during a halftime ceremony at the Fire's final 2009 regular season contest against Chivas USA (7 p.m. CT, ESPN2/Deportes). Armas joins current "Ring of Fire" members: former Fire captain Peter Nowak, former Fire player and current Fire technical director Frank Klopas, the Fire's first General Manager Peter Wilt, and former Fire head coach and current U.S. Men's National team head coach Bob Bradley.
"I FUEL THE FIRE": FIRE ROLE OUT SEASON TICKET RENEWAL PLANS
The Fire have announced their 2010 season ticket renewal prices for Full Season, Ten Game Plans and Club Seats along with special new benefits for season ticket holders. These plans offer a range of exclusive benefits and access provided only to season tickets holders, such as an enhanced season ticket exchange program, season ticket holder only events, a dedicated Fan Relations Coordinator, insider access to fan tunnel and player escort programs for their kids and behind the scenes VIP access to the stadium. Season tickets start as low as $179. Club Seats have been reduced on average by 25% and all Club Seats are now offered at one price, $999. Additionally, Club Seat Season Ticket Holders will no longer be subject to a multi-year contract as in past years. Also new for 2010 are significant upgrades to the sold-out Safeway Insurance Skyway area at TOYOTA PARK. In 2010, Safeway Insurance Skyway season tickets holders will now be provided with a 20 game package including all 15 regular season MLS home games, four bonus games, and a Fire first home playoff match, assigned seating, all benefits provided to season tickets holders and access to all exclusive season ticket holder events. The renewal deadline for 2010 Season Tickets is Friday, October 23rd. By paying in full on or before this date Season Ticket Holders will realize a 5% savings on their 2010 Season Tickets. For more information, visit www.chicago-fire.com, or contact your Season Ticket Representative.
BLANCO'S 'DIRECTO AL BLANCO' RADIO PROGRAM TUESDAY
"Directo al Blanco" a full-hour live radio program hosted by Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco will air this and every Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. CT. Listeners are encouraged to call and talk to Blanco about the latest soccer-related news regarding the Chicago Fire, Major League Soccer, and the Mexican Primera Division. The show airs nationally on RadioCadena stations in Chicago (WRTO-AM), Las Vegas (KLSQ-AM), Los Angeles (KTNQ-AM), San Francisco (KLOK-AM), El Paso (KAMA-AM), San Antonio (KCOR-AM), Dallas (KFLC-AM), McAllen (KGBT-AM), Houston (KLAT-AM), New York (WADO-AM), and Miami (WQBA-AM).
