Logan Pause is starting to get antsy, looking about as comfortable as if he was taking on the Honduras national team 1 vs 11.
Actually, he might prefer that.
Instead he’s engulfed by a bevy of video cameras, still cameras and three print reporters. It’s a situation he’s not accustomed to; Pause is rarely the object of attention when playing defensive midfielder for the Chicago Fire.
Even though he’s back in the Chicago area and standing on the Toyota Park sod, he’s on a bigger stage for at least a few more days. It’s likely Pause will again start for the United States when it takes on Honduras on Thursday night (6 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel, TeleFutura) at Soldier Field in the Gold Cup semifinals.
For the past few weeks Pause, 27, has taken time off from his club to play for his country, and though his answers are as defensive as his play on the field, it’s clear he knows how special - and fleeting - the opportunity is.
“The highlight is, honestly, to represent your country and to be out here and helping contribute,” Pause said after practice Tuesday. “Obviously, getting my first cap is something special, but we’re here to win this tournament. That’s all behind, and we’re looking forward to Thursday night’s game.”
“Logan’s been a real solid player for the Fire, somebody who does a strong job in the middle of the field every game,” added U.S. coach Bob Bradley, “and I think he’s been able to help our national team with the same type of effort.”
Translation: Everyone knows Bradley brought his “B” team for this tournament, auditioning players for call-ups for this fall’s remaining World Cup qualifiers and the big event in South Africa next June. There are probably only a couple of spots still open. Pause, who earned his first national-team cap in this Gold Cup, probably won’t make the cut again before June unless there are a few injuries.
If you go to ussoccer.com, Pause still isn’t among the 54 listed in the national-team player pool. So what?
“It’s been unbelievable,” Pause said. “I’m fortunate and grateful. It’s an honor and a privilege anytime you get to put on the jersey that represents your country. So I’m just happy to help contribute.”
He has contributed, starting with an assist in that first game, a 4-0 win over Grenada. But offense is not Pause’s role, a fact that might frustrate fans. Since joining the Fire in 2003, the North Carolina graduate has just 1 goal and 7 assists in 160 games.
“If you do the math, they come once every seven years, I guess,” Pause joked about his scoring ability.
That’s OK. He doesn’t have to score to contribute, and his teammates and coaches understand that. He’s comfortable with that, and with the opportunity he’s been given.
“You dream as a kid to represent your country and to play in front of the biggest stage,” Pause said, “and that’s what we’re doing now.”
 

Daily Herald

By Orrin Schwarz
July 21, 2009

Busch stops a one-on-one attack from San Jose and posts 5th shutout of the season
 
CHICAGO, IL (July 22, 2009) – Jon Busch has earned his second MLS Save of the Week nomination after recording a shutout this past Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes.  Busch made a big save for the Fire as he stopped a one-on-one attack from San Jose’s Ryan Johnson.  He helped the Fire achieve its second win at home since the season opener versus the New York Red Bulls on April 5th.  
 
Busch was also named a member of the 18-man U.S. National Team roster earlier this week, and has been training with the team the past two days in preparation for the U.S. team’s advance to the Gold Cup Semi-final match versus Honduras on Thursday, July 23rd at Soldier Field in Chicago. 
 
Fans can vote for Busch’s save by clicking on this link: http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/sights/save_of_the_week.

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (STATS) — The Chicago Fire got a challenge from coach Denis Hamlett before their game with Colorado and they responded with a rare road win over the Rapids.

Marco Pappa and Wilman Conde scored in the first half and the Fire ended a 10-game winless slide in Colorado with a 2-1 victory on Saturday night.

“I told them that the challenge was we hadn’t won in Colorado in 10 years,” Hamlett said. “We talked about the things we did well the first half of the season and we agreed we had to get better.”

   Consider the streak over.

Chicago (6-3-6) had been 0-6-4 on the road against the Rapids since 1999. The Fire also were coming off a three-week absence from the MLS schedule to play three SuperLiga matches, and hadn’t played a league match since losing to D.C. United on June 13.

“That was good for us, too,” Pappa said. “It gave us time to think things over and work things out.”

There was also a continuation of strong play on the road. The Fire improved to 5-1-3 away from home this year.

“I can’t explain it,” Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch said. “Maybe it’s our routine and the fact the road brings us closer together.”

Hamlett agreed.

“Our problems at home are going to change,” Hamlett said.

Jacob Peterson scored for Colorado (5-4-6), which has lost two straight for the first time this season. The Rapids also dropped to 11-2-1 on Fourth of July matches.

“I have no explanation for the way we played tonight,” said Colorado forward Conor Casey, returned after missing the team’s past four games to be with the U.S. national team. “We came out flat and dug ourselves a deep hole and couldn’t come back.”

Casey leads the Rapids with eight goals.

Pappa scored his fifth goal of the season in the 30th minute. He took a pass from Baggio Husidic just outside the crease and nudged the ball past Matt Pickens’ right hand.

“I got a great pass from Baggio,” Pappa said. “I had to make a small move to get open to get a shot off.”

Conde made it 2-0 in the 37th minute with a goal off a header. Cuauhtemoc Blanco sent a corner kick into the middle of the field, and Conde finished the play with his second goal.

Colorado nearly took a lead in the 14th minute, but Mehdl Ballouchy hit the center of the crossbar from 15 yards.

The Fire went into a defensive mode in the second half, but the Rapids avoided the shutout in the 76th minute. The ball was stopped near the right post and Peterson ran up and kicked it into the net for his first goal.

“It was down and dusty in the first half,” Colorado coach Gary Smith said. “Chicago was better than us in the first half and that’s when the game was won.”

CHICAGO FIRE CLASH WITH COLUMBUS CREW IN BATTLE FOR FIRST PLACE IN THE EAST
The Chicago Fire (6-3-6, 24 pts.) will line up against their Eastern Conference rival and the 2008 MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew (5-3-8, 23 pts.) on Saturday, July 11, at home in TOYOTA PARK (7 p.m. CT, ESPN2/Deportes). This Saturday’s game will not only determine who takes the season series, but also which team will claim the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Fire are coming off a momentous 2-1 win over the Rapids on the road, bringing back a win and three points from Colorado for the first time since 1999. With the win, the Fire moved into a tie with D.C. United (5-3-9, 24 pts.) for first place in the Eastern Conference Standings. The Fire will be hungry for three points as the team can push past D.C. United (who have a bye week) with a win or a tie. Columbus will also be in the hunt for points as the Crew sit just one point behind the Fire and D.C. in the Eastern Conference standings and will be looking to pick up important points just past halfway through the season.

This Saturday’s match is the second meeting of the two clubs in 2009. On April 25th, the Fire tied the Crew 2-2 on the road in their first meeting of season. The Crew took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from defender Chad Marshall and forward Alejandro Moreno, but the Fire fought back and scored two goals in the final four minutes of the game with former Crew player and current Fire forward Brian McBride and defender Gonzalo Segares providing the fire power. Last season, the Fire tied the Crew 2-2 in both regular season meetings, but the Crew prevailed in the 2008 MLS Cup playoffs, defeating the Fire 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals and ending Chicago’s MLS Cup run.

Despite their history of success over the Crew, the Fire and Crew have played to 2-2 ties in their last three regular season meetings. Of their last six regular season matches, the Fire and Crew have tied four times for a record of 2-0-4.

The Fire will have a hard task ahead of them Saturday as the Columbus Crew have dropped just one contest in their past 10 games this season falling 2-1 to Dallas on June 20, for a record of 5-1-4. The Fire, who went undefeated through the first 11 matches of the season have posted a 4-3-3 record their last 10 matches.

With an all-time regular season record of 17-10-11 against the Crew, the Fire have held onto the lead of the all-time match up, particularly in games played in Chicago where they own a 9-5-5 record. The Fire have not lost a game to the Crew since Oct. 7, 2006 when the team fell 4-1 in TOYOTA PARK, which has proven to be the Fire’s only loss to the Crew in their last 10 match ups. The Fire will look to extend the six-game undefeated streak against Columbus on Saturday night.

After having their franchise-record unbeaten stretch snapped, the Colorado Rapids still have a chance to extend two other impressive streaks Saturday night.

The Rapids look to continue their success on Independence Day and improve their unbeaten streak at home against the Chicago Fire to 11 games.

Colorado (5-3-6) fell 3-0 at Seattle on Sunday for its first loss since April 19. The Rapids, who were 3-0-5 in their previous eight games, outshot the Sounders 14-7 but only two of those shots were on goal.

“I didn’t think we deserved to get beat 3-nil,” Rapids coach Gary Smith said. “I think in the first half, we played as good a (game) as we’ve probably done for some time, especially away from home. The differences in the game were the big plays - the moments we don’t (make) and the ones Seattle does.”

Colorado has had plenty of good moments on July 4, with an 11-1-1 record and going unbeaten in nine straight games on the holiday.

The Rapids play five of their next six at home, where they are 3-0-3 this season. They’ve enjoyed plenty of success there against Chicago, going 6-0-4 in the last 10 meetings in Colorado since a 1-0 defeat Oct. 6, 1999.

The Fire (5-3-6), who split two meetings with the Rapids last season, return to MLS play Saturday after a three-week absence. Since a 2-1 loss to D.C. United on June 13, Chicago has played three SuperLiga matches, going 2-1-0, and most recently a 1-0 loss to Wilmington on Tuesday in a U.S. Open Cup match.

The Fire resume league play looking to snap a three-game losing streak, during which they’ve been outscored 6-1. It was a particularly tough loss against United, with Brian McBride unable to convert on a second-half penalty kick that would have tied the game.

The loss was the Fire’s first on the road, dropping them to 4-1-3 away from home.

Chicago midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco was rested for that game, having played in an international match with Mexico earlier that week, but he was back for the SuperLiga games and should play Saturday.

Colorado, meanwhile, will be without Omar Cummings, who has six goals and six assists, while he is with his native Jamaica playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Leading scorer Conor Casey, though, is expected to rejoin the team though after fulfilling his U.S. national team duty. Casey, who has eight goals and one assist, missed four consecutive games.

CHICAGO, IL (May 2, 2009) – The Chicago Fire (2-0-5, 11 pts.) extended their undefeated streak to a club record seven games with a 1-1 tie against the Seattle Sounders FC (4-2-1, 13 pts.) at home in TOYOTA PARK tonight.  After a scoreless first half, midfielder Marco Pappa recorded a goal for the Fire in the 68th minute of play.  The Sounders answered just six minutes later as defender Tyrone Marshall finished on a corner kick from designated player Freddie Ljungberg.  With the tie, the Fire sit in third place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind both Toronto FC and D.C. United. The Fire return to action on Saturday, May 9 against Eastern Conference rival New England Revolution at TOYOTA PARK (My50 Chicago, 7:30 p.m. CT). 

FIRE: GK-Jon Busch, D-Gonzalo Segares (Brandon Prideaux 71), D-Wilman Conde, D-Bakary Soumare, D-Tim Ward, M-John Thorrington (Chris Rolfe 66), M-Logan Pause, M-Cuauhtémoc Blanco, M-Marco Pappa (Mike Banner 82), F-Brian McBride (captain), F-Patrick Nyarko.

SOUNDERS FC: GK-Kasey Keller, D-Nathan Sturgis, D-Tyrone Marshall, D-Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, D-James Riley, M-Steve Zakuani, M-Freddie Ljungberg (Stephen King 81), M-Osvaldo Alonso, M-Brad Evans, F-Fredy Montero, F-Nate Jaqua.

Scoring Summary
CHI- Marco Pappa (Cuauhtémoc Blanco) 68’
SEA-Tyrone Marshall (Freddie Ljungberg) 74’

With swine flu hysteria reaching a fever pitch this week, it was only a matter of time until a MLS team had to respond to questions about whether a match or event would go on as planned.

Have no fear, FC Dallas fans. Kenny Chesney will play at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night, according to the team’s official blog.

Gov. Rick Perry may have issued a disaster declaration on Wednesday after 11 swine flu cases were confirmed in the state and all Texas high schoolers may be barred from participating in sporting events until May 11 to avoid spreading the disease, but those who want to hear “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” or “Keg in the Closet” won’t have to worry about Kenny skipping his much-anticipated tour date. No word yet on whether the country star will pair a surgical mask with his trademark cowboy hat.

Swine flu may keep a few fans away from Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night and all fans away from Mexican stadiums this weekend, but the Forecast rolls on after a sterling performance last weekend.

Last week: 5/7 (71%)

For the season: 16/35 (46%)

Saturday

Columbus @ Toronto FC – 4:00p.m. (CBC)

The Crew will have plenty of motivation last weekend’s disappointing 2-2 draw with Chicago. Columbus also has history on their side: Toronto FC has zero wins and four draws from seven total games between the two sides. But momentum is a funny thing, particularly when Columbus is missing key contributors (William Hesmer, Adam Moffat and Gino Padula for sure and possibly Frankie Hejduk as well) and Toronto has ripped off two consecutive wins. A third will give TFC its first Trillium Cup in Chris Cummins’ first official match as interim coach.

Prediction: Toronto FC win.

FC Dallas @ D.C. United – 7:30p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel)

These two teams met less than two weeks ago in a U.S. Open Cup qualifier. United won 2-0 at R.F.K. Stadium on goals by Fred and Brandon Barklage. With reserves littering the field that night, it’s hard to take much from that encounter. Recent form is more instructive and United has the edge there after scraping out a late draw against New England and an even-later victory over New York last weekend.

Prediction: D.C. United win.

Seattle @ Chicago – 8:30p.m.

Offense versus defense in this one. Kasey Keller hasn’t allowed a goal this season and Sounders FC has allowed only three. Chicago has scored a league-high 12 goals, including two in the second half of last weekend’s 2-2 draw in Columbus. Seattle thumped Real Salt Lake during the midweek, but Sigi Schmid played a reserve side, so don’t expect that to mean much here. Sounders FC failed its first major road test at Chivas USA, but they have enough to pass this one by eliciting another draw out of the draw specialists.

Prediction: Draw.

Real Salt Lake @ Colorado – 9:30p.m.

These two regional rivals just don’t like each other. The Rapids are probably playing Yura Movsisyan’s 90th-minute, season-ending goal from last October on a loop as motivation ahead of this clash. Colorado hasn’t won in four, but Real Salt Lake hasn’t won or scored on the road yet this season. After getting pasted 4-1 in Seattle earlier this week in a U.S. Open Cup qualifier despite playing a mix of reserves and first teamers, RSL hasn’t exactly found the winning road formula outside of league play either. RSL head coach Jason Kreis paid lip service this week to instituting a more conservative approach away from Rio Tinto Stadium. One can only hope that won’t be the case or this derby could turn into a snoozer. I’ll take even honors to hedge my bets in the first of three matches to decide the Rocky Mountain Cup.

Prediction: Draw.

Chivas USA @ San Jose – 10:30p.m.

San Jose couldn’t wait to turn the page on April after posting two draws and three losses in five matches. That tally doesn’t even include the 2-1 loss to New York in a U.S. Open Cup qualifier on Wednesday night. Key injuries to Jason Hernandez and Darren Huckerby have crippled the ‘Quakes and limited their effectiveness in both penalty areas. By now, everyone around the league has realized that neither an injury crisis nor Sacha Kljestan’s indifferent form has stopped the Goats this season. Don’t bet on a battered San Jose side succeeding where greater forces have failed.

Prediction: Chivas USA win.

New York @ Los Angeles – 10:30p.m.

The surprising thing about Los Angeles’ 1-1 draw in Colorado? The Galaxy’s defensive organization. Disorder usually reigns on and off the field for the Gals, but L.A. cobbled together a pretty coherent performance against the Rapids. Defensive organization won’t be enough against a New York side more than willing to pack it in on the road. The Red Bulls won 3-0 at the Home Depot Center last season, but a repeat looks unlikely given the circumstances. Los Angeles absolutely has to have this one with trips to Real Salt Lake and Seattle on the docket for the next two weekends.

Prediction: Los Angeles win.

Sunday

Houston @ New England – 3:00p.m. (Telefutura)

Good news for Houston: Ade Akinbiyi is now in the fold. Bad news for Houston: they have to play New England one week after the Revolution got pasted 6-0 by Real Salt Lake. The injury-ravaged Revs will engineer a significant response after an embarrassing second-half display at Rio Tinto, particularly if Steve Ralston can shake off an adductor strain and add his creativity to the side. Houston’s away struggles this season (two road matches, two defeats) and their poor record against New England (0-3-3 all-time in the regular season) won’t provide much comfort to Dynamo fans ahead of this SuperLiga final rematch.

Prediction: New England win.

Kyle McCarthy

CHICAGO, IL (April 29, 2009) – The Chicago Fire fell to Club America of the Mexican Primera Division (First Division) 2-1 in an international exhibition match tonight in front of a crowd of 17,342 fans at TOYOTA PARK.  Club America opened scoring with a goal from Juan Carlos Silva in the second minute and doubled their lead in 42nd minute with a goal from midfielder Pavel Pardo.  Forward Chris Rolfe scored for the Fire in the second half placing a ball around goalkeeper Armando Navarrete in the 73rd minute of the match.  The Fire will return to Major League Soccer action on Saturday, May 2 at home against expansion side Seattle Sounders FC at TOYOTA PARK (My50 Chicago, 7:30 p.m. CT).
 
Club America midfielder Juan Carlos Silva opened scoring early with a goal in the second minute as he picked up a ball at the top of the box and placed it past Fire goalkeeper Nick Noble.  Pavel Pardo took a freekick from 20-yards out that flew through the wall and into the net for the two goal advantage.  
 
Club America nearly brought their lead to three goals as the Mexican side was awarded a penalty kick opportunity in the 61st minute of play.  Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra made a diving save on the shot taken by Salvador Cabañas to hold the Aguilas to two goals in the game. 
 
Chris Rolfe tallied the Fire’s lone goal of the match in the 73rd minute as Tim Ward provided a through ball to Stefan Dimitrov, who slipped a ball to Rolfe in the 18-yard box.  Rolfe placed a shot past America goalkeeper Navarrete for a final score of Chicago Fire 1, Club America 2.
 
The Fire return to MLS action against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, May 2 at TOYOTA PARK (My50 Chicago, 7:30 p.m. CT).

FIRE: Nick Noble (Andrew Dykstra 45); Gonzalo Segares (Austin Washington 45), Wilman Conde (Bakary Soumare 45), Dasan Robinson, Brandon Prideaux, Baggio Husidic, Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Marco Pappa 67), Logan Pause (Tim Ward 45), Mike Banner; Chris Rolfe, Patrick Nyarko (Stefan Dimitrov 45).
 
AMERICA: Armando Navarrete; Fernando Ortiz, Guillermo Cerda, Ademar Rodriguez, Armando Sanchez (Rodrigo Iñigo 80); Jean Beausejour  (Enrique Esqueda 65), Pavel Pardo (Alejandro Arguello 45), Juan Carlos Silva, Salvador Cabañas; Robert de Pinho (Andres Chitiva 65), Angel Reyna (Lameros Kontogiannis 72).

Both clubs will participate together in international friendly matches, corporate sponsorship development, player development and Chicago-based summer camps and clinics

CHICAGO, IL (April 27, 2009) - The Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Club America of the Mexican Primera División (First Division) today announced that they are forming a new partnership to pursue mutually beneficial business and brand opportunities for their respective clubs.
 
After months of negotiations among club owners and executives, the Fire and Club America reached an agreement outlining the opportunities that they will jointly pursue to build their businesses. These opportunities will kick off in Chicago on Wednesday, April 29th at 7:30 PM CST for a previously announced international friendly match between both clubs at TOYOTA PARK.
 
“America,” as they are known in the soccer world, will then return the favor by hosting another international friendly match later in the season at renowned Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico (date TBA).  The clubs will also work together to develop their businesses in corporate sponsorships, player development programs and Chicago-based Club America summer camps and clinics operated by the Fire.
 
The clubs pointed to both their shared market base and commitment to growing their brands as the centerpiece of this arrangement.
 
“The collaboration between Club America and the Chicago Fire will make for a strong partnership and should provide great benefit to both clubs,” said Michel Bauer, President of Club America. “We share much in common in the kind of market growth we are pursuing and are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in working with the Fire.”
 
Chicago Fire president, Dave Greeley, added that the teams share not only a great passion for the game, but also for building their businesses and growing their fan bases.
 
“This collaboration with Club America will serve as a gateway for the growth we are pursuing in the Hispanic market, specifically the Mexican-American segment, which is already a very strong part of our growing fan base,” said Greeley.  “Both clubs have aggressive visions for growing their brands and taking advantage of unique opportunities that will help build the most successful organizations possible, which makes this collaboration a good match.”
 
Beyond the friendly matches, the two clubs are developing next steps for corporate sponsorships, summer camps and clinics and player development.
 
The Chicago Fire versus Club America match on April 29 at TOYOTA PARK (7:30 p.m. CT) is included in Chicago Fire Season Ticket packages and Ten Game Plans, which are on sale now. Group tickets are available to parties of 20 or more. To purchase individual tickets, season tickets, Ten Game Plans, or group packages call 888-MLS-FIRE or e-mail tickets@chicago-fire.com.

UNDEFEATED AND IN FIRST PLACE IN THE EAST, FIRE BACK AT HOME THIS WEEKEND AGAINST WIZARDS

The Chicago Fire (2-0-2, 8 pts.) tied the San Jose Earthquakes (1-2-1, 4 pt.) 3-3 last Saturday to bring their undefeated streak to four games in 2009.  The Fire currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the New England Revolution and five points ahead of 2008 MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew.  The Fire is set to face the Kansas City Wizards (2-2-0, 6 pts.) this Saturday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. CT as the team returns home to TOYOTA PARK for their second home contest of the season.  The match will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español nationally.
 

Fire forward Brian McBride is among this week’s nominees for MLS Goal of the Week.  McBride contributed the Fire’s second goal last Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes in the 3-3 road tie.  In the 57th minute, Bakary Soumare played a ball out of the backfield which Cuauhtémoc Blanco headed on to McBride positioned at the top of the 18-yard box.  McBride volleyed the ball with his left foot and finished on a shot with his right.  Fans can vote for McBride’s goal by CLICKING HERE.
 
SATURDAY NIGHT IS COLLEGE NIGHT AT TOYOTA PARK
The Chicago Fire are hosting College Night this Saturday, April 18, at TOYOTA PARK during the Fire match against the Kansas City Wizards.  The first 500 college students with a valid student ID card can purchase tickets for just $15 at the TOYOTA PARK box office on game day. While at the game, all fans will enjoy $1 hot dogs all night and a 50 team bags tournament with great Chicago Fire prizes in FireFest.  The Fire will also host college bands from around the Chicagoland area to perform in FireFest before the game.  For more information about College Night, call 888-MLS-FIRE or email ticketsales@chicago-fire.com
 
THE 2009 NOTHING BUT NETS CHALLENGE IS ON
Chicago Fire Soccer is one of four MLS teams in a fundraising challenge to benefit the Nothing But Nets campaign.  The Fire, D.C. United, the Los Angeles Galaxy, and Seattle Sounders FC will each collect donations to see which club can raise the most funds for Nothing But Nets during a month-long Major League Soccer initiative that culminates on World Malaria Day on April 25. The team that raises the most money will randomly select one donating fan to win a trip for two to the 2009 MLS All-Star Game in Salt Lake City in July. Fans can contribute to the cause by visiting www.mynothingbutnets.net/chicagofire, or clicking on the NOTHING BUT NETS TEAM CHALLENGE button on the team’s official website, www.chicago-fire.com.
 
CHICAGO FIRE 2009 MEET THE TEAM THIS SUNDAY
The Chicago Fire will hold the 2009 Meet the Team event for Lower Bowl Full Season and Ten Game Plan Holders on Sunday, April 19 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. CT at the Best Buy location at 2100 N. Elston Ave.  Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to mingle with the entire Chicago Fire roster and coaching staff, receive a free 2009 Meet the Team Poster, enjoy Connie’s Pizza and are automatically entered a raffle for great prizes like Jimmy Buffett concert tickets, 2009 team signed jersey’s and soccer balls.  Season Ticket Holders will also receive special discounts on select Best Buy merchandise on April 19 from Noon-7 p.m. For more information on how to become a 2009 Chicago Fire Season Ticket Holder, call 888-MLS-FIRE or email ticketsales@chicago-fire.com.
 
Media interested in covering this event must contact the Chicago Fire Communications Department by Friday at 5 p.m. for event credentials and information. 
 
ALBERTO LOPEZ FROM AURORA WINS SUEÑO MLS 2009
Alberto Lopez, a promising 17-year-old midfielder from Aurora, IL, won the nationally-televised player search Sueño MLS 2009 - built by The Home Depot last Sunday.  In additional to being named the Sueño MLS 09 Champion, Lopez received an invitation to join the Chicago Fire Juniors program. Lopez was one of 12 national finalists who emerged from the 1,800 aspiring players that participated in regional tryouts in Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Chicago.  The “Final 12” gathered April 8 in Los Angeles for four days of intense pro-style training sessions, scrimmages against the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA Under-18 teams and various media activities – all under the leadership of two-time MLS head coach and current MLS Technical Director, Alfonso Mondelo. Lopez was officially presented as the winner today, Sunday, April 12, live (EST) on “República Deportiva” (Sports Republic), the popular Univision weekly Spanish-language sports show that chronicles the tryouts in a “reality show within a show” format.
 
LESS THAN THREE WEEKS UNTIL THE FIRE FACE CLUB AMERICA ON APRIL 29 AT TOYOTA PARK
In less than three weeks, the Chicago Fire and Club America of the Mexican Primera Division will play the first first game of their home-and-home series at TOYOTA PARK on Wednesday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. CT.  Details about the Fire’s away match against Cuauhtémoc Blanco’s former team Club America at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will be announced at a later date. Individual tickets are available starting at $26 through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, at the TOYOTA PARK Box Office, by calling 888-MLS-FIRE, or by visiting www.chicago-fire.com.  The exhibition is included in Chicago Fire season ticket packages and Ten Game Plans.