Weekly update: Osorio out as coach
Chicago Fire President/CEO John Guppy will also deliver the "Fire State of the Team Address"
The Chicago Fire announced today that Juan Carlos Osorio resigned as head coach of the Fire. Osorio replaced Dave Sarachan, as the third head coach of the Fire on July 7. He made his Fire debut on July 17, taking over a team that stood three games under .500 (4-7-4) and seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.
In his three months at the helm, Osorio led "Men in Red" into the playoffs, stringing together a 10-game unbeaten streak (second-longest in team history) that elevated the Fire to a 10-10-10 mark and a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. The Fire knocked off top-seed D.C. United in the MLS Cup playoffs and just missed making the Final with a 1-0 loss to New England on Nov. 8. The Fire will begin the search for a new head coach immediately.
"Despite the Fire's best efforts to keep Juan in Chicago, he determined that he needed to leave Chicago for family and personal reasons," said Fire President John Guppy. "While we certainly respect his decision, the timing of the departure was unexpected and is unfortunate. All of our attention is now focused on finding the right coach for our team."
FIRE PRESIDENT/CEO JOHN GUPPY TO GIVE "FIRE STATE OF TEAM ADDRESS" TUESDAY
Chicago Fire President/CEO John Guppy will deliver the "Fire State of the Team Address" in the first of four invite-only events in the Chicago Fire Luncheon Series. The private luncheon will take place at McCormick and Schmick's, located at One East Wacker Drive, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. CT. Select Chicago Fire staff, players, and coaches will be on hand. Stay tuned to www.chicago-fire.com for audio, video, and pictures from the event.
GUTIERREZ IN AFRICA TO PROMOTE MALARIA AWARENESS DEC. 9-16
From Dec. 9-16, 2007, Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez and Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario will join a UN Foundation delegation including spokespeople for the Nothing But Nets campaign in Mali, Africa to observe the distribution of over two million long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets to children and their families. In Mali, Nothing But Nets campaign supporters funded 133,000 of the bed nets being distributed. Gutierrez will be photographing and writing about his experience, when he can, for www.chicago-fire.com.
"BREAKFAST IN BRIDGEVIEW" AT TOYOTA PARK ON DEC. 18
Chicago Fire Soccer will host "Breakfast in Bridgeview" on Tuesday, Dec. 18, and invites fans of the "Men in Red" to attend a special continental breakfast inside the TOYOTA PARK Stadium Club from 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CT. For more information or to RSVP for the event, please contact Lauren Burlinski at 708.496.6776 or e-mail lburliunski@chicago-fire.com by Friday, Dec. 14.
FIVE FIRE PREMIER/SUPER-20s PLAYERS IN NCAA "ELITE EIGHT"
Five players from the Chicago Fire Premier and Fire Super-20s participated this past weekend in 2007 NCAA men's soccer tournament action. Three players represented the University of Illinois-Chicago: midfielder Cesar Zambrano (Fire Premier), goalkeeper Jovan Bubonja (Fire Premier), and midfielder Ian Sarachan (Fire Super-20s) as UIC fell on the road 2-1 to the University of Massachusetts. Two "Braves" of Bradley University played in the 4-0 road loss to The Ohio State Buckeyes: midfielder Drew DeGurian (Fire Premier) and goalkeeper Drew Van Kampen (Fire Super-20s).
FIRE ACADEMY WEEKLY TRAINING SCHEDULE
** Sites/times subject to change. Please call 708-496-6577 to confirm training schedule. All times Central.
Monday, Dec. 10 -- OFF
Tuesday, Dec. 11 -- Training at Bridgeview Golf Dome, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 12 -- OFF
Thursday, Dec. 13 -- Training at DeKalb Sports & Rec. Center Field House, 7:15 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 14 -- OFF
Saturday, Dec. 15 -- Training at Bridgeview Golf Dome, 8:00 a.m. :: Nutrition seminar, 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 16 -- OFF
HOLIDAY PACKS NOW ON SALE
Chicago Fire Holiday Packs are on sale now starting at $89. Each package includes four tickets to the 2008 Fire home opener (date TBA) as well as a hat and glove set to help keep your special Fire fan warm. Fans have the opportunity to purchase more than four tickets per Holiday Pack, and for every two additional tickets ordered, an additional hat & glove set can be purchased for $12. For more information, visit www.chicago-fire.com.
FIREWORKS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION ACCEPTING HOLIDAY DONATIONS
This holiday season, the Fireworks for Kids Foundation (FWFK) once again turns to the generous Chicago Fire Soccer community for support in raising money for the Annual Holiday Fund. This year, your financial contributions will assist the FWFK in supporting the inspirational wheelchair athletes of the Chicago Fire Power Soccer team.
While a contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated, for every contribution of $25.00 or more, the FireWorks For Kids will send you an autographed action photo of Chicago Fire forward Calen Carr. For more information or to donate, please contact Jessica Yavitz with the FWFK at 708-496-6740.
