Fire to open 2010 season at New York's new arena

The Chicago Fire will begin its 13th season of play in Major League Soccer on Saturday, March 27, 2010 against the New York Red Bulls in the first-ever MLS match at the new Red Bull Arena.

After the Fire travel to Colorado in MLS Week Two for a match against the Rapids on April 3 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the Fire will host the San Jose Earthquakes for opening night at Toyotal Park on Saturday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m.

The full schedule for the 2010 MLS regular season, including the Fire's remaining 28 games and broadcast schedule, will be announced early next year.

The Fire will announce individual game ticket information in the coming months, but fans can secure their seats for home opener against the Earthquakes by purchasing a 2010 season ticket package, starting at just $179. For more information or to purchase 2010 season tickets, call 888-MLS-FIRE.

The 2010 MLS Regular Season will again see each team play a 30-game regular season, followed by playoffs among eight qualifying teams. The 2010 season will begin with a single game on March 25 and will conclude on Oct. 24. The MLS Cup Playoffs will culminate in the championship match, MLS Cup 2010, on Nov. 21.

For the first time in its history, MLS will not play League games during the group phase of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The group phase includes the first 48 games of the 64-game tournament that begins on June 11, 2010 in South Africa. The last MLS game prior to the World Cup will be played on June 10 and MLS will not schedule any additional League games until after the group phase concludes on June 25. MLS does not plan to schedule games on the days of either World Cup Semifinal nor the World Cup Final.