Chicago Fire Soccer Club
Preseason Continues as Fire Prepare for Matches Against Two MLS Rivals
FIRE TO PLAY THREE PRESEASON EXHIBITIONS AS FLORIDA CAMP CONTINUES
The Chicago Fire continue preparations for the 2011 MLS season with two matches against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL at 10 AM and noon CT. The Men in Red will wrap the Florida camp with an exhibition against Seattle Sounders FC at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 1:00 PM CT.
The Fire saw their first on-field action of the preseason in an exhibition with Florida Gulf Coast University in Ave Maria, FL last Thursday. Carlos de los Cobos used the opportunity to play 30-plus players in three 30-minute intervals. Marco Pappa and Kwame Watson-Siriboe tallied in a 2-2 draw with the local side.
De los Cobos continues to refine his training camp roster and following the third week of training the Fire released supplemental draft selection Amani Walker and trialists Jordan Seabrook, Eric Ustruck, Evan Schwartz, Fabian Burbano, Anderson Costa and Jocian Bento.
Newly signed Uruguayan forward Diego Chaves joined the club late Saturday night and is expected to participate in his first full training session on Tuesday, after doing fitness work the past two days. Tunisian Nabil Taider joined camp in Ave Maria as the newest trialist.
With the latest cuts and additions, 33 players remain in camp as the Fire turn their focus towards finalizing an Opening Day roster ahead of the roster compliance date on Tuesday, March 1. The current camp is comprised of 21 signed players, two draft picks and 10 trialists.
The Fire return to Chicago at week’s end and will spend three days off in the Windy City before resuming training in Charleston, South Carolina and competing in the Carolina Challenge Cup with matches against Toronto FC (March 5 at 4 PM CT), D.C. United (March 9 at 4 PM CT) and host club Charleston Battery (March 12 at 6:15 PM CT).
CHICAGO FIRE WEEKLY TRAINING SCHEDULE: February 21 – February 27
Chicago Fire players and coaches will be made available to media at Ave Maria University following each training session during double-days this week. Media are able to begin conducting interviews after training, which runs approximately two hours. (All times Eastern)
Tuesday, Feb. 22: Training 10 AM / 6 PM – OPEN TO MEDIA*^
Wednesday, Feb. 23: Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls – Lockhart Stadium – 11 AM and 1 PM
Thursday, Feb. 24: Training 10 AM / 6 PM – OPEN TO MEDIA*^
Friday, Feb. 25: Training 6 PM – OPEN TO MEDIA*^
Saturday, Feb. 26: Chicago Fire vs. Seattle Sounders FC – IMG Academy – 2 PM*
Sunday, Feb. 27: OFF
*Training is open to the media. Fire players and coaches will be made available immediately following training, which runs approximately two hours.
^Training times are subject to change. Please contact Brendan Hannan at 708.496.6725 for media requests.
