Chicago Fire Schedule Released; Dates to Circle on the Calendar
Similar to the anticipation of Christmas morning (we’ll use this analogy since it’s fresh in our minds); MLS released pieces of the schedule in relation to home openers. This tease was like being allowed to open a gift or two before the big day.
Well, Christmas is here for MLS fans as the entire schedule and new playoff format were released. This includes a scintillating “Decision Day” finale that is sure to captivate fans on the last day of the season.
The Men in Red look to put the 2014 season in the rear view mirror that saw them win only 6 games, lose 10, and draw 18 times to rack up 36 points. This was good for 9th in the Eastern Conference. This season, the club looks to improve with a slew of additions as 6th in the East will be good enough for a playoff berth now.
Optimism is ringing as it always does before the season starts. Here are some games to circle on the calendar as the Fire embarks on what will hopefully be a special season.
Similar to the anticipation of Christmas morning (we’ll use this analogy since it’s fresh in our minds); MLS released pieces of the schedule in relation to home openers. This tease was like being allowed to open a gift or two before the big day.<\/span><\/p>\n \t Well, Christmas is here for MLS fans as the entire schedule and new playoff format were released. This includes a scintillating <\/span>“Decision Day” finale<\/a> <\/span>that is sure to captivate fans on the last day of the season.<\/span><\/p>\n The Men in Red look to put the 2014 season in the rear view mirror that saw them win only 6 games, lose 10, and draw 18 times to rack up 36 points. This was good for 9th in the Eastern Conference. This season, the club looks to improve with a slew of additions as 6th in the East will be good enough for a playoff berth now.<\/span><\/p>\n Optimism is ringing as it always does before the season starts. Here are some games to circle on the calendar as the Fire embarks on what will hopefully be a special season.<\/span><\/p>\n Friday, March 6 at LA Galaxy<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Of course the first game of the season is going to be must-watch! The Fire have the honor of opening the entire 2015 MLS schedule by visiting the defending champions at the Home Depot Center.<\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately for the Fire, the home crowd should be pumped up as the Galaxy will likely have some pregame celebration commemorating their 5th MLS Cup Title. The good news is that Steven Gerrard will still be at Liverpool and won’t be able to help the Galaxy in the first match of their title defense.<\/span><\/p>\n Let’s hope Chicago catches the giants sleeping and comes out with a shock win. Any result though, including a draw, from this fixture should be seen as a success with the atmosphere the Men in Red will face.<\/span><\/p>"},{"title":"Chicago Fire Schedule Released; Dates to Circle on the Calendar","permalink":"https:\/\/playingfor90.com\/2015\/01\/07\/chicago-fire-schedule-released-dates-circle-calendar\/3\/","shortCodeTitle":null,"content":"<\/a> Jul 30, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Vancouver FC defender Jordan Harvey (2) kicks the ball against Chicago Fire midfielder Alex (7) during the second half at Toyota Park. The Chicago Fire and Vancouver FC ends in a draw 0-0. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports\n Saturday, March 14 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n 141 days would have passed since the last time the Fire took the field at Toyota Park. It was a memorable night that saw Fire legend Logan Pause play his last match as a member of the Chicago Fire and it was capped off by a late game-winning header from Florent Sinama-Pongolle.<\/span><\/p>\n Once again, this is not a traditional rival, but all Fire fans will be ready for the big home opener that will likely be more exciting than the 0-0 draw these two played in last season on the ripped up Toyota Park pitch. While it’s likely to be chilly, it shouldn’t prevent Section 8, Sector Latino, and the rest of the Fire fans to come out to Toyota Park and cheer on their heroes.<\/span><\/p>\n It will be the first time that fans will be able to see the new acquisitions (there are 9 of them so far) mesh with fan favorites Harrison Shipp, Lovel Palmer, and Sean Johnson (Mike Magee is still recovering from injury). The hope is for the 2015 season to kick off on the high note that the 2014 season ended on in what many laud the best match of the Fire season.<\/span><\/p>"},{"title":"Chicago Fire Schedule Released; Dates to Circle on the Calendar","permalink":"https:\/\/playingfor90.com\/2015\/01\/07\/chicago-fire-schedule-released-dates-circle-calendar\/4\/","shortCodeTitle":null,"content":"<\/a> May 22, 2013; New York, NY, USA; From left New York City Football Club director Claudio Reyna , MLS commissioner Don Garber , Manchester City Football Club chief executive officer Ferran Soriano , New York city mayor Michael Bloomberg , New York Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner New York Yankees president Randy Levine hold t-shirts at the event to announce plans for the new Major League Soccer team the Manchester City FC at P.S. 72 The Lexington Academy. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports\n Friday, April 24 vs. New York City FC<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n This will be the historic first ever meeting between these conference foes. Once again, the Fire luck out and do not have to face a former England international, this time Frank Lampard, as he will still be with Manchester City.<\/span><\/p>\n The “feeder” club for Manchester City will still boast the likes of David Villa and Mix Diskerud (if his talked about deal goes through) and Fire fans will be excited to take down what may be the next evil empire in MLS.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a> Jun 17, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; The starting eleven for Orlando City pose before the game against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports\n Saturday, June 6 vs. Orlando City SC<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n This is the other expansion team the Fire will take on, but it won’t be the first meeting between the two. The Fire demolished the Lions in the 2013 US Open Cup by a 5-1 score when Orlando City were still a USL Pro side led by up and coming star Dom Dwyer.<\/span><\/p>\n OCSC were a minor league affiliate of Sporting Kansas City at the time. Now they are their own club, boasting Kaka as their star player. This meeting should be tighter than the US Open Cup affair in June 2013; and a fun one as the Lions do have a rather loyal fan base that should make a decent showing at Toyota Park. The Fire will look to put the Lions to sleep again!<\/span><\/p>"},{"title":"Chicago Fire Schedule Released; Dates to Circle on the Calendar","permalink":"https:\/\/playingfor90.com\/2015\/01\/07\/chicago-fire-schedule-released-dates-circle-calendar\/5\/","shortCodeTitle":null,"content":"<\/a> Aug 2, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Fire forward Mike Magee (9) kicks the ball past Columbus Crew defender Giancarlo Gonzalez (5) during the second half at Toyota Park. The Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew tie 1-1. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports\n Wednesday, July 15 vs. Columbus Crew SC<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In what will be the 2nd of 3 meetings, and first of an exciting back-to-back, between the Fire and “That Yellow (explicit) Team”, Chicago hopes that the Crew’s only trip to Toyota Park is a nightmare.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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