Chicago Fire announces 2009 schedule

Posted January 27, 2009 10:00 pm

Orrin Schwarz

Major League Soccer, Telefutura, Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN seem to have a lot of faith in the Chicago Fire.

Chicago's MLS entry will appear on national television 17 times in 2009, according to the league schedule announced Wednesday. Each team will play 30 regular-season games, plus the Fire will compete in the U.S. Open Cup, SuperLiga and a handful of exhibition games, including a home-and-home series with Club America of Mexico's First Division.

The team did not release its local television schedule, but Channel 50's crew is expected back for a second season.

The Fire opens the season March 21 at FC Dallas. That opener is a week earlier than 2008's so the league could reduce the number of games played on 2010 World Cup qualifying dates Aug. 12, Sept. 5 and Oct. 10.

The home opener is 2 p.m. April 5 against New York Red Bulls. The regular season ends Oct. 22 with a home game against Chivas USA. MLS Cup will be played Nov. 21 or Nov. 22.

The Fire has three midweek games scheduled. The rest will be played Friday nights, Saturdays or Sundays.

2009 regular season schedule Date Game Time March 21 Fire at FC Dallas 7:30 p.m. March 28 Fire at D.C. United 6:30 p.m. April 5 New York at Fire 2 p.m. April 11 Fire at San Jose 3 p.m. April 18 Kansas City at Fire 7:30 p.m. April 25 Fire at Columbus 6 p.m. May 2 Seattle Sounders at Fire 7:30 p.m. May 9 New England at Fire 7:30 p.m. May 16 Fire at Toronto FC 3 p.m. May 24 Fire at New York 2 p.m. May 28 Fire at Chivas USA 9:30 p.m. May 31 FC Dallas at Fire 2 p.m. June 5 Houston at Fire 8 p.m. June 13 Fire at D.C. United 6:30 p.m. July 4 Fire at Colorado 8 p.m. July 11 Columbus at Fire 7 p.m. July 18 San Jose at Fire 7:30 p.m. July 25 Fire at Seattle Sounders 2 p.m. Aug. 1 Real Salt Lake at Fire 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 Fire at Houston 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 Fire at Kansas City 2 p.m. Aug. 19 Los Angeles at Fire 8 p.m. Aug. 23 Colorado at Fire 5 p.m. Aug. 29 D.C. United at Fire 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 Fire at Real Salt Lake 8 p.m. Sept. 20 Columbus at Fire 2 p.m. Sept. 26 Toronto FC at Fire 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 Fire at Los Angeles 10 p.m. Oct. 17 Fire at New England 5 p.m. Oct. 22 Chivas USA at Fire 7 p.m.

MLS playoffs

Conference semifinals, Oct. 29-Nov. 1

Conference semifinals, Nov. 5-Nov. 8

Conference championships, Nov. 12-Nov. 15

MLS Cup, Nov. 21 or 22

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