Chicago Fire Delight Large Crowd at Ave Maria's North Park
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Published on Thursday, 02 February 2012 15:26
A large, enthusiastic crowd came out to North Park in Ave Maria Wednesday night, watching the Major League Soccer Chicago Fire defeat Florida Gulf Coast University 3-0 in an exhibition match.
As the Fire did in a game against FGCU last year, the professionals dominated play, limiting the amount of time FGCU had the ball as their precision passing and faster speed overwhelmed the NCAA Division One squad.
The atmosphere was festive, with soccer fans from throughout southwest Florida. Players signed autographs after the game and Pavel Pardo, who plays for the Fire as well as the Mexican National team, drew a large following who mobbed swarmed around him after the game (above).
The crowd included many members of the Chicago Fire Juniors team, with whom the Fire trained and held instructional sessions. Pictured, Chicago Fire Juniors players Tatiana Zuloaga, and Laura Mastandrea with Chicago Fire mid-fielder Daniel Paladini.
More details on the game are on the Chicago Fire site here and the Naples Daily News here.
(photos by Michael Mastandrea)
