Chicago Fire Thread

[little bear]

Fire draft defender Berry with ninth pick - Chicago Fire Blog - ESPN Chicago

Fire draft defender Berry with ninth pick

The Chicago Fire selected Louisville defender Austin Berry with the ninth pick in the MLS SuperDraft on Thursday.

In his senior season, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Berry was named a NSCAA Third Team All-American, Soccer America Second Team MVP and Big East Conference First Team. A member of the 2010 Chicago Fire Premier team, Berry signed a deal with MLS prior to the draft.

“Austin is a menacing defender who will be a fantastic addition to the Chicago Fire Soccer Club,” Fire coach Frank Klopas said in a statement. “His strength in the back, ability in the air and the danger he provides going forward will be a great asset to us heading into the 2012 MLS season.”

Berry, a 23-year-old native of Cincinnati, appeared in 95 matches, starting 87, in his time with the Cardinals, with 11 goals and five assists.

[little bear]

Fire acquire German World Cup veteran Arne Friedrich | Chicago Fire

Fire acquire German World Cup veteran Arne Friedrich

CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today the team has signed German defender Arne Friedrich. The 32-year-old will be added to the Fire roster upon the receipt of his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Arne is a talented defender that brings strength, experience and depth to our backline,” said Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas. “His international credentials and track record in the German Bundesliga give our young players another great professional example to learn from.”
Hailing from Bad Oeynhausen, Germany, Friedrich has represented the German national team 82 times since his first appearance in 2002. During that time, the 6-1 defender has compiled an impressive international resume, playing 13 of a possible 14 games while helping Die Mannschaft to matching third place finishes at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups. It was in the latter tournament that he scored, tallying in the 74^th minute of Germany’s 4-0 quarterfinal victory over Argentina July 3, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. The stout defender also represented Germany at the 2004 and 2008 UEFA European championships. In 2008, Friedrich appeared in four matches, helping his country to a runner-up finish. Capable of playing centrally or on the right side of the backline, Friedrich helped his national side to a third-place finish at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany.
“I’m excited to take the next step in my career with the Chicago Fire,” said Friedrich. “After playing my entire professional career in Germany, coming to the United States was an intriguing prospect and I’m looking forward to joining the club and playing in Major League Soccer.”
Friedrich began his professional career with German Regionalliga side SC Verl, where he appeared in 31 matches from 1999-2000 before transferring to 2. Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefield the following season. Friedrich helped Die Blauen’s promotion push to the Bundesliga during the first part of the 2001-02 season before transferring to Hertha Berlin that January.
It was in the German capital where Friedrich made his biggest mark, going on to tally 231 league appearances and 14 goals from 2002-10. Prior to the 2002-03 Bundesliga campaign, Friedrich helped the club to the preseason DFB Ligapokal. During the 2004-05 campaign, he was named club captain, a role he held throughout the remainder of his tenure with Die Alte Dame.
Following Hertha’s relegation after the 2009-10 season, Friedrich transferred to VfL Wolfsburg where he appeared in 15 matches from 2010-11.

Player: Arne Friedrich

Pronunciation: ARR-knee FREE-drick
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1” (1.85 m)
Weight: 170 lbs. (77 kg)
Born: May 29, 1979
Hometown: Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
Citizenship: German
College: N/A
Status: International
Last Club: VfL Wolfsburg (GER)
How Acquired: Signed as a free agent on March 7, 2012

This guy is a very good player. Regardless of age, the MLS needs to focus on signing tactically and technically sound players in order to improve the quality of the league.

Welcome to the Windy City, Arne!

[little bear]

Fire tie Impact in MLS opener - Chicago Fire Blog - ESPN Chicago

Fire tie Impact in MLS opener

MONTREAL -- Davy Arnaud scored the first Major League Soccer goal in Impact history, and Montreal tied the Chicago Fire 1-1 Saturday before a crowd of 58,912 at its home opener in Olympic Stadium.

Arnaud's goal in the 56th minute helped give the Impact (0-1-1) their first point since joining MLS as an expansion team this season. Dominic Oduro tied it in the 71st for the Fire, who were opening the season.

The Impact, who opened with a 2-0 loss at Vancouver last weekend, broke the previous record for attendance at a professional soccer match in Montreal. The Manic drew 58,542 for a North American Soccer League playoff game in 1981.

[little bear]

Fire's Gibbs shelved 4-6 months - Chicago Fire Blog - ESPN Chicago

Fire's Gibbs shelved 4-6 months

CHICAGO -- Chicago Fire defender Cory Gibbs will be sidelined for four to six months following surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

The 32-year-old was injured Wednesday during training and was operated on Tuesday by Dr. Jason Koh at Glenbrook Hospital.

Gibbs says "the first couple days after hearing about the injury was basically another low point in my life."

Selected for the 2006 U.S. World Cup roster, he missed the tournament after injuring his right knee during an exhibition against Morocco.

"I've dealt with injuries in the past and have come back to perform at a high level," Gibbs said.

[little bear]

Chris Rolfe returning to MLS - Chicago Fire Blog - ESPN Chicago

Chris Rolfe returning to MLS

CHICAGO -- Chris Rolfe is returning to Major League Soccer and the Chicago Fire.

The 29-year-old American forward rejoined the Fire on Monday when he left Denmark's Aalborg after three seasons.

Rolfe scored 40 goals in 149 games with the Fire in all competitions from 2005-09. He had six goals in 32 matches over three seasons with Aalborg.

Rolfe has made 10 appearances with the U.S. national team.

Nyarko's goal helps Fire past Toronto - Chicago Fire Blog - ESPN Chicago

Nyarko's goal helps Fire past Toronto

TORONTO -- Patrick Nyarko scored in the 58th minute, and the Chicago Fire beat winless Toronto FC 3-2 on Saturday.

Toronto (0-6-0) is tied for the second-worst start in MLS history. Kansas City opened the 1999 season 0-7-0. Toronto has a combined 1-7-2 record in CONCACAF Champions League and MLS play this season, getting outscored 23-11.

Dominic Oduro and Gonzalo Segares also scored for Chicago (2-1-2). Reggie Lambe scored both Toronto goals.

Oduro's through ball to Nyarko split the Toronto defense to set up the winning score. Goalkeeper Milo Kocic rushed out, but Nyarko dribbled past him and sent the ball home.

[little bear]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire...al-boosts-fire

Pappa's goal boosts Fire

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Marco Pappa scored his fifth goal of the season on a nifty give-and-go with Chris Rolfe in the 58th minute, giving the Chicago Fire a 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Friday night.

Pappa led a counter-attack the length of the field before giving it off to Rolfe, who deftly passed right back to Pappa for what turned out to be the deciding goal.

Chicago (8-5-3) has won three straight for the first time this season, and still hasn't lost to Sporting KC (9-5-2) on the road since the 2007 season.

Sporting KC had a 27-10 edge in shots, but couldn't convert them into goals.

The best opportunities came in stoppage time, when Teal Bunbury spun and fired wide of the net. Soony Saad had another chance from close range that Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson managed to save, and Chance Myers nearly netted the tying goal just before time expired.

[little bear]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire...place-with-win

Fire takes over second place with win

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Alex and midfielder Alvaro Fernandez each scored in the second half to lead the Chicago Fire a 3-1 comeback win over the Montreal Impact on Saturday night.

The win pulled the Fire (15-8-5) within a point of Eastern Conference leader Sporting Kansas City. Chicago has 50 points and third-place New York is right behind with 49.

Montreal (12-15-3), playing its first match in two weeks, dropped its second straight after winning five in a row.

Alex took a pass from Fernandez, split a pair of defenders and beat goalkeeper Troy Perkins to break a 1-all tie in the 61st minute. The Brazilian sent his shot over Perkins and high to the far corner of the net.

Fernandez followed with a 15-yard right-footed shot in the 80th to put the game out of reach. Sherjill MacDonald had tied the match with a nifty header in the 34th, redirecting a pass from Jalil Anibaba into the lower left corner of the net.

Marco Di Vaio gave Montreal a 1-0 lead in the 20th, his fourth straight match with a goal. He took defender Hassoun Camera's headed centering pass, flicked the ball forward and scored from about 12 yards out. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson fell to his right but could only get a fingertip on the ball.

[ZifanQ]

I'm glad to hear so. Have been following them this year only with articles and scores and such as I'm not able to watch the serie. What I like is Chris Rolfe is having succes after have been playing in the club I root for in Denmark. When he scores it always make me smile.

[Aenir]

rolfe is doing nicely

good form lately. cant wait till playoffs

[little bear]

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire...g-win-for-fire

MacDonald scores twice in big win for Fire

HARRISON, N.J. -- Sherjill MacDonald scored two second-half goals, lifting the Chicago Fire to a crucial 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

The Fire (17-10-5) jumped three points ahead of the Red Bulls (15-9-8) in the Eastern Conference, with two games remaining, and moved closer to earning a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs. Chicago can get in if Columbus loses to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.

New York dropped to 11-2-3 at home.

MacDonald broke a scoreless tie in the 65th minute by getting past two Red Bulls defenders off a fine lead pass from Chris Rolfe, then hitting a shot past goalkeeper Luis Robles.

MacDonald, who had only two goals this season before Saturday, made it 2-0 in the 79th minute, taking a pass from Daniel Paladini and sprinting past two defenders to touch it gently past Robles.

The Red Bulls had controlled much of the action in the first half, but had nothing to show for it. Sean Johnson made only one save to secure his fifth shutout of the season.

In the 27th minute, Red Bulls captain Thierry Henry had a wide open shot, but it was knocked aside by a sliding stop with the left leg by Arne Friedrich. Six minutes later, Dax McCarty's left-footed drive from 25 yards sailed wide right.

The Fire responded late in the first half, when Alvaro Fernandez rose high above the Red Bulls defense to get his head on a cross from Jalil Anibaba, but Fernandez' attempt sailed over the crossbar.

The Red Bulls had two excellent chances in the 57th minute. Thierry Henry fired a shot from point blank range that sailed wide left, and then he sent a corner kick to the box that went directly to Tim Cahill. But the Aussie, who has had trouble scoring since joining the MLS two months ago, put a header that Johnson caught.

Cahill was visibly upset, standing with his hands over his face after the save.