Chicago Fire Return to Ave Maria Friday

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Published on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 17:52

The Major League Soccer Chicago Fire will be back in Ave Maria beginning Friday, Jan. 20, for two weeks to start their spring training for the 2012 season.

As was the case last year, when the Fire trained for the first time in Ave Maria, the team will have open practices daily and will play an exhibition game at North Park in Ave Maria. The exhibition game against FGCU Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m, is one of two exhibition matches on the Fire's schedule for their time in Southwest Florida. The other game, against the MLS D.C. United, is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m. at FGCU. Left, last year's exhibition game at North Park against FGCU drew more than 1,000 people.

Practices will normally be open to the public. The Ave Herald will post the daily practice schedule as it is available. They also have a number of sessions scheduled with their local affiliate, the Chicago Fire Juniors.

The Fire will have a busy spring, traveling to New Orleans, Ventura, CA and Charleston, SC before opening their season March 17 in Montreal.

The official spring schedule released by The Chicago Fire:

January 20-February 3: First Team trains in Ave Maria, Fla.

GAMES:

Sunday, January 29 - Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United - 1:00 p.m. CT - Florida Gulf Coast University

Wednesday, February 1 - Chicago Fire vs. Florida Gulf Coast University - 6:00 p.m. CT - Ave Maria University

February 3-5: First Team trains in New Orleans, La.

GAMES:

Saturday, February 4 - Chicago Fire vs. Real C.D. Espana (HON) - 5:00 p.m. CT - Tad Gormley Stadium

February 5: First Team returns to Chicago

February 8-18: First Team trains in Ventura, Calif.

GAMES: TBD

February 18: First Team returns to Chicago

February 21-March 5: First Team trains in Charleston, S.C. as part of 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup

GAMES:

Saturday, February 25 - Chicago Fire vs. DC United - 4:00 p.m. CT - Blackbaud Stadium

Wednesday, February 29 - Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew - 4:00 p.m. CT - Blackbaud Stadium

Saturday, March 3 - Chicago Fire vs. Charleston Battery (USL) - 6:15 p.m. CT - Blackbaud Stadium

March 5: First Team returns to Chicago