After up and down regular seasons that saw one team consistently dissatisfied with its results
and one team barely scrape its way into the playoffs, it's only fitting that the Chicago Fire and
Real Salt Lake take each other on. Both teams will enter the Eastern Conference Final feeling that
they have something to prove - Chicago wanting to live up to the hype that built up prior to and
during the season and Salt Lake wanting to prove they're first round win over Columbus was more
than merely a fluke.
Click to continue reading...
Hey everyone, just wanted to clear a few things up in regards to the Blanco situation.
A source close to the situation told me that Blanco and Veracruz agreed to a one year deal -- which
will begin in January -- with an opt out clause for any point in the year. This means that Blanco
can choose to leave Veracruz at any point during the one-year deal and either return to the Fire
(who will continue negotiating with Blanco and his agent), join another team or retire.
Click to continue reading...
The Fire has confirmed an AP report that midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco will be leaving the club
at the end of the year to join Mexican second division club Veracruz.
Blanco, who played for Veracruz in 2004, is in the final year of a three year contract he signed
with the Fire prior to the 2007 season.
Click to continue reading...
Hey everybody, I thought I'd share a few links with you all as the weekend slowly comes to a
close. As I mentioned yesterday, the Fire is hosting a FIFA Soccer 10 launch party Monday night at
the Hancock Center Best Buy starting at 4. If you go you'll not only get a chance to play the game
before it come out on Tuesday but you'll also get a chance to play in a 32-man FIFA tournament and
meet Fire forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
Click to continue reading...
Yesterday was a huge day for soccer fans around the world as eight more teams secured their spot
in South Africa for next year's World Cup. The U.S. and Mexico each used a big-time win to ensure
their qualification, with Mexico getting a goal from Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco in their 4-1
defeat of El Salvador at Estadio Azteca and the U.
Click to continue reading...
Despite missing the last two games with a hamstring injury, Fire forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco could
very well return to the field this Saturday night, when he and the rest of the Mexican National
Team face off against El Salvador in an all-important World Cup Qualifier. Blanco, who injured his
hamstring in the second half of the Fire's 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on September 20th, is no
doubt looking to return to action this weekend - a prospect that makes some Fire personnel
apprehensive.
Click to continue reading...
With a whopping six players listed on this week's injury report, the Fire's second bye week of
2009 couldn't have come at a better time. The team is hoping to return at least a few of the
players on this week's injury list in time for next Saturday's game at New England and it looks
like the team has reason to be hopeful.
Click to continue reading...
As I'm sure all of you know the Fire has this weekend off. But despite the lack of
Chicago-related MLS action to look forward to, this weekend should be a great one for soccer fans
in the Second City as CONCACAF kicks off its penultimate round of World Cup Qualifying. The
CONCACAF race is currently down to four teams: the U.
Click to continue reading...
Here are a few quick notes that are making news in the world of the Fire/MLS today. Better late
than never right? Injury Updates: A few Fire players have been struggling with injuries for the
past couple weeks and while some of them could return this Saturday against Toronto, the news isn't
very good for others.
Click to continue reading...
Here are a few notes from today's Fire practice out at Toyota Park... McBride update - Forward
Brian McBride once again took part in full training with the squad today and he looked good,
showing no signs of pain in his surgically repaired right shoulder and saying that he feels like he
can play in Saturday's game at Real Salt Lake.
Click to continue reading...
Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been named to the Mexican National Team roster for its
upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica (September 5th) and Honduras (September 9th).
Fortunately for the Fire, Blanco won't miss any MLS games while on international duty -- as the
qualifiers come during and just after the team's September 5th bye week.
Click to continue reading...
In a match that lived up to all of its billing, all of the hype, the Mexico defeated the U.S.
2-1 in a World Cup Qualifying Match at the vaunted Estadio Azteca. Mexico dominated the possession
for the entire 90 minutes but it was the U.S. that struck first, scoring the opener through forward
Charlie Davies in the 9th minute.
Click to continue reading...
Well it's finally here, the match everyone's been talking about and waiting for, U.S. vs. Mexico
in the all important World Cup Qualifier at Estadio Azteca (pictured above). Cuauhtemoc Blanco gets
the start in the midfield for 'El Tri' and he'll try to stop the U.S. from getting their first ever
win at Azteca.
Click to continue reading...
Hey everybody, thought I'd share a few bits of Fire related news with you to spark your Monday
afternoon... Lowry up for Goal of the Week -- Peter Lowry has been nominated for MLS Goal of the
Week for his sliding right footed volley against Houston last night. Peter has some pretty stiff
competition for the award (see Landon Donovan's strike.
Click to continue reading...
Tonight's MLS All Star game was a thrilling affair between the All Stars (who were carrying a 5
game win streak against European teams into the match..) and Everton FC of the English Premier
League....
Click to continue reading...
Fire midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been named to the Mexican National team roster ahead of
their all important World Cup Qualifier against the United States. Fire defender Gonzalo Segares
was also named to his country's roster; he'll play with Costa Rica when they take on Honduras on
the same day.
Click to continue reading...
