CHICAGO, IL (Dec. 16, 2011) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Friday the club will begin its preparations for the 2012 MLS campaign in Ave Maria, Fla., training for 15 days on the campus of Ave Maria University from Jan. 20 through Feb. 3. Additional plans for the team’s 2012 preseason will be released at a later date.
The Men in Red return to the university for the second straight year, having spent 12 days on campus in 2011. During the team’s stay, the club will be assisted operationally by the Chicago Fire Juniors – Florida, an extension of the Fire’s player development system who operate just 17 miles west of the school.
“We’re happy to be returning to Ave Maria to begin our 2012 preseason preparations,” said Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas. “The town and university have outstanding facilities and served as excellent hosts during our stay last year. Our return also allows us the ability to visit and play in front of our Juniors club in Florida who have made great strides heading into the third year of our partnership.”
Game opponents, dates and times for the team’s stay in the Sunshine state will be announced at a later date.
The trip serves as the first phase of the club’s 2012 preseason. The team is set join D.C. United, Columbus Crew and hosts Charleston Battery (USL-Pro) in the 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup from Feb. 25-March 4 in the third and final phase of the team’s preparation.
ABOUT CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer expansion team. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and was crowned the champion of U.S. Soccer's national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. In June 2006, the Fire moved into its world-class home of TOYOTA PARK, located in Bridgeview, IL. For more information on the Chicago Fire, please visit the club’s official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.
ABOUT TOYOTA PARK
Located 15 minutes from downtown Chicago and minutes from Midway airport off of I-55 on Harlem Avenue, TOYOTA PARK is the Midwest’s preeminent outdoor live entertainment and sporting facility. Opened in 2006, TOYOTA PARK not only serves as the home of the Chicago Fire, but also hosts a variety of sporting events, special events and concerts by national and international artists. In 2010, TOYOTA PARK hosted Jimmy Buffett and Phish, while welcoming back Eric Clapton and his Crossroads tour.