Chicago Fire Happy to Return to Ave Maria
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Published on Saturday, 21 January 2012 02:43
It was two degrees in Chicago this morning when the Major League Soccer Chicago Fire left the windy city. But the 75-degree temperature that greeted the team when they arrived in Ave Maria Friday for two weeks of training was not the only reason head coach Frank Klopas was happy to have the team returning to the town.
"It's great to be back in Ave Maria," Mr. Klopas said. Right, Coach Klopas (in red in center) briefs his players at the start of training camp.
"It's a fantastic place to be. The fields are in great condition, the facilities are terrific and it's ideal for our team."
It's the second year that The Fire has opened its spring training in Ave Maria.
Thirty-six players took the field at North Park Friday evening for the first training session and Mr. Klopas said they will have about 40 in Ave Maria in total.
"We still have some signings to complete, and some players are still waiting for visas," he said.
T
here will be 28 players in Chicago Fire uniforms on opening day.
The Fire will have daily training/practice sessions at 10 a.m. that are open to the public, and have several other public events planned. In addition, they have two exhibition games scheduled, one Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. at FGCU against another MLS club, DC United, and another Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. against FGCU at North Park in Ave Maria.
The Fire's schedule of public events is here. The Ave Herald will strive to keep the schedule up to date daily, but it is always subject to change.
