UIC Men's Soccer To Play Chicago Fire

CHICAGO - For the third straight year the UIC men's soccer team will host the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer in an exhibition match to benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation.

The match will take place on Tuesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at Flames Field, located on the UIC campus behind the Physical Education Building at 901 W. Roosevelt Road in Chicago.

General admission tickets for the match between the Flames and the Fire are $12 pre-sale through April 6. Tickets can be purchased prior to the day of the game through the UIC Athletics Ticket Office by calling 312-413-UIC1.

Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the game for $15.

A special group rate of $10 per ticket is available in advance for groups of 20 or more. Group tickets are not available for purchase at the gate.

UIC students can get in at the gate with a valid i-Card for $10.

Parking for the event is available for a fee at the Maxwell Street Parking Garage, located at 1300 S. Union. Limited street parking is also available around the field.

UIC and the Fire have played each other in an exhibition match at Flames Field in each of the past two seasons, raising over $14,500 for charity in the process.

Baggio Husidic, an All-American midfielder for the Flames from 2006-2008 and a participant in the last two Flames-Fire matches wearing a UIC uniform, will don the kit of Chicago's professional soccer side against his college team after he was drafted by the Fire in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft this past January.

"What a great opportunity for UIC Soccer and the Chicago Fire to team up again for the third annual benefit game," said UIC head coach John Trask. "I would like to thank Frank Klopas, Dennis Hamlett, Jessica Yavitz and the entire Fire organization for making this game happen again. To host the Fire and bring Baggio back to Flames Field will be a memorable night for all involved."

"The Fire is excited to once again partner with the UIC Flames for this benefit match," said Fire Technical Director and Chicago Fire Foundation President Frank Klopas. "We look forward to entertaining the fans while raising money for the Chicago Fire Foundation."

ABOUT THE CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION
Through grants and contributions to non-profit organizations, the Chicago Fire Foundation is dedicated to enriching the quality of life of the Chicagoland community, particularly its youth. In 2006, the Foundation reached a benchmark of one million dollars distributed in grants and contributions. With the generosity of the Fire organization and the surrounding Chicagoland community, the Chicago Fire Foundation looks forward to further opportunities to expand programming and outreach. The Chicago Fire Foundation will offer fundraising events such as the annual Frank Klopas Golf Outing, the Commemorative Jersey Auction and 50/50 Raffle. For more information about the Chicago Fire Foundation, visit www.chicago-fire.com/community .