Fire celebrating anniversary with new tradition

On Oct. 8, 1997, Peter Wilt held a press conference at Chicago's Navy Pier to announce the name of Chicago's new professional soccer team.

A man with a good sense for public relations, Wilt, the team president, had picked the date with a purpose. It was the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and Wilt and owner Phil Anschutz were naming the new team with that event in mind.

Thirteen years later Wilt and Anschutz have departed the Fire, but the team remains, and a new tradition is being started. Starting with Friday's home game against the Columbus Crew at Toyota Park, the Fire plans to play a home game every year on Oct. 8 to commemorate the club's start in Chicago.

“We've been very successful in 13 years, said Fire original C.J. Brown. “We have one for sure opportunity where we didn't make the playoffs, and this might be the second. But overall it's very succesful. We've won U.S. Open Cup championships, we've won one MLS Cup, been in the final two times after that. A lot of good players have come through here and you're still seeing a lot of good players come through here.

“For me it's been an awesome experience and I think it's been great for Chicago. We finally have a stadium up now. It's becoming more and more home to people. And you can see soccer growing even more because now you have a stadium, you have a team that people are aware of now.

Like Brown, Fire technical director Frank Klopas played on the first Fire team that won the 1998 MLS Cup as an expansion team.

“I'm honored, first of all, because I've had an opportunity to be a member of the Fire not only as a player, but also now as technical director and the staff, Klopas said. “It's an important day, a big day and a tremendous honor to be a part of this great organization and the history that in a short time we have built and will continue to build. It's a day that we need to celebrate and should never forget.

Change at goalkeeper: Rookie goalkeeper Sean Johnson suffered an eye injury at practice Tuesday that will force him to miss Friday's game against Columbus. That means Andrew Dykstra, who lost the job to Johnson at midseason, will get see his first playing time since late July.#8220;I'm more concerned about Sean, his eye, Dykstra said at training Wednesday. #8220;It's such an unfortunate thing to happen. I'm just taking this like it's another game. I've got a long career ahead of me, so it's another good opportunity to perfect what I do on the field.Johnson could be back for Tuesday's home game against Kansas City.Forward Calen Carr is battling illness and midfielder John Thorrington has a leg injury again. Midfielder Baggio Husidic and forward/midfielder Nery Castillo are recovered from injury and should be available, according to coach Carlos de los Cobos.Krzysztof Krol and Deris Umanzor both left training early Wednesday with minor injuries. Their status is undetermined.