Chicago Fire to Train Again in Ave Maria Jan. 20-Feb. 3
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Published on Friday, 16 December 2011 21:20
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he Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Friday the club will begin its preparations for the 2012 Major League Soccer season in Ave Maria, Fla., training for 15 days on the campus of Ave Maria University from Jan. 20 through Feb. 3. A more detailed schedule for practices and exhibition games will be announced later.
The Fire are returning to Ave Maria for the second straight year, having spent 12 days in the town before the start of the 2011 season. The players live in rooms on the Ave Maria University campus and practice at North Park. Pictured: Chicago FireTeam Captain Logan Pause (in orange) is among the players returning to Ave Maria.
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.
"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."
The Ave Maria training is 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 final phase of the team's preparation.
