News and commentary about the Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire Trophies
MLS Cup: 1998
Supporters’ Shield: 2003
U.S. Open Cup: 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006
May will be a great month for soccer fans in the windy city. Last week we announced that Chicago will host the Sister Cities International Cup involving the Chicago Fire Welcome Legia Warsaw, Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star Belgrade. Buy Chicago Fire v AC Milan Tickets
Noe we hear that the Fire will host host Italian giants AC Milan on Sunday, May 30. The match will be the second between the two clubs. Milan won the first meeting, defeating the Fire 3-1 at Soldier Field in 2005.
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that it will host the first-ever Chicago Sister Cities International Cup on Wednesday, May 19 and Saturday, May 22 at TOYOTA PARK. Joining the Fire for the two-day, four-team international tournament are Legia Warsaw of Warsaw, Poland, Paris Saint-Germain of Paris, France and Red Star Belgrade of Belgrade, Serbia.
“The Chicago Fire are proud to host the inaugural Chicago Sister Cities International Cup,” said Fire President Dave Greeley. “The Fire’s continued commitment to growing the game of soccer in the Chicagoland area along with the vibrant cultural communities that surround the Windy City will serve as the ideal setting for a four-team, two-day tournament highlighting soccer at its highest level.”
2009 Recap: The Fire continued many traditions in 2009. They continued to stay toward the top of the East (11-7-12; 2nd place). They continued to spread the minutes around to different guys swimming in their deep talent pool. They also continued to play like the “blue collar” bunch that they are, which is fitting because Chicago is one of the most “blue collar” cities. Sure, they haven’t been around as long as the Cubs or Bears, but Chi-Town loves the Fire.
Though they were named after a brutal disaster, the Chicago Fire sure have not played like one. The Men in Red have only missed the playoffs once in their entire existence, and they are one of the most successful teams in US Open Cup history (and the most successful MLS side). Unlike the dreadful Cubbies, they do not appear to be under any curse.
They first took the pitch in 1998 and they shocked the US soccer world by winning the MLS Cup and the US Cup in their inaugural season. Since then, they have settled for second twice (2000, 2003) and picked up the Supporters Shield once (2003). Their many supporters groups (of which my fave name is “Mike Ditka’s Street Crew“) have had much to celebrate.
The Chicago Fire 2012 schedule has been released and we have tickets to every big Fire match, both home and away this season. You can also buy your Chicago Fire tickets directly from your iPhone or Android phones with our new ticket app.
Chicago Fire 2012 Schedule
Apr 1 at Colorado - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
Apr 15 Houston - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
Apr 21 at Toronto FC - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
Apr 28 Seattle - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
May 4 at Chivas USA - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
May 9 Real Salt Lake - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
May 12 Kansas City - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
May 20 at Portland - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
May 23 FC Dallas - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
May 26 at Columbus - Buy Chicago Fire Tickets
Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Major League Soccer reached an agreement on a one-year contract extension for the former Mexican international to continue playing for the Chicago Fire, it was announced Friday. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, Blanco likely isn’t coming back to make less than his 2008 salary of $2.67 million. In a team press release, Blanco said he has enjoyed his two years with the Fire.
“I’m excited to be back next season,” Blanco said. “I’m very happy in Chicago and I look forward to another year with my teammates. I’m optimistic about 2009 and will continue to work hard to bring a championship to our fans.”
Recap: The Fire had an extremely strong season, finishing the race for the Supporters Shield behind only Columbus and Houston. They did not play as consistently down the stretch, and whether the Barrett for McBride trade pays dividends is a question that has no answer. Overall, they get a B+ for 2008.
Offense: The Fire had a very hot start, but cooled off to finish tied for fifth in the league in goals with Colorado. Blanco played very well to open the season, but he seemed disinterested down the stretch. Rolfe emerged late after a poor start, and he remains one of the biggest enigmas in MLS. For the O, the Fire get a B.
The Columbus Crew‘s history can sort of be summed up by that old saying:
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.
They had been to the playoffs several times, but they had never made it to the “Big Game”, the MLS Cup Final.
Well, since their leader all those seasons was Brian McBride, I guess it was more like “always a Mcbridesmaid“, but I digress.
It took four years but the Chicago Fire finally knocked the New England Revolution out of the MLS playoffs.
The Fire comfortable defeated a weakened Revolution 3-0 on Thursday to advance to the conference finals against either the Columbus Crew or the Kansas City Wizards, who will play the second leg of their conference semifinal series on Saturday. The first leg finished in a 1-1 draw.
The Fire scored two goals on either side of half-time to put this game out of reach of New England.
The New England Revolution and Chicago Fire drew 0-0 in the first leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Thursday night at Foxboro Stadium. Chicago now are firm favorites to advance to the Eastern Conference finals with the return leg taking place November 6th in Chicago.
The Revolution have knocked Chicago out of postseason each of the last three years, including twice in the conference championship, but this is Revolution team that is decimated by injury and suspension. Last night the Revolution were playing without injured captain Steve Ralston (broken leg) and forward Taylor Twellman (concussion-like symptoms), while midfielder Khano Smith was suspended two matches by the league for what it called “an egregious challenge” on Kansas City Wizards forward Herculez Gomez last weekend.
