Fire add Colorado defender in waiver draft

Story courtesy Chicago Fire Communications

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (March 4, 2008) – The Chicago Fire announced today it has acquired former Colorado Rapids defender Brandon Prideaux with the 12th selection in today’s MLS Waiver Draft. The club also placed the following players on waivers – Tim Conway, Jeff Curtin, Floyd Franks, Jordan Russolillo, and Osei Telesford.

“We are glad to bring a veteran such as Brandon into our squad,” said Fire Head Coach Denis Hamlett. “My staff and I felt we needed to bring in another proven defender with experience in big games, and Brandon fits the criteria.”

“I’m excited to join Chicago as it’s a winning organization with a tradition of success,” said Prideaux. “I’m excited to get down to Mexico and join the team as soon as possible. I know there’s a lot of talent on the team and some good veteran players in the back.”

The announcement comes one day after the March 3 MLS roster compliance date. As of Monday, all 14 clubs were in compliance with being at or under the 28-man roster limit (18 senior players and 10 developmental players). MLS teams no longer hold the right of first refusal for any players the club has waived. If a player is not selected in the waiver draft, he may renegotiate a contract and sign with the team that is the first to submit a formal request for the player. A full listing of the players selected in the MLS Waiver Draft is available at www.MLSnet.com.

The 2008 Fire roster sees the rookie additions of goalkeeper Dominic Cervi, midfielder Kai Kasiguran, midfielder Stephen King, midfielder Peter Lowry, forward Patrick Nyarko, defender Austin Washington, as well as Polish international forward Tomasz Frankowski.

The Chicago Fire is currently training in Mexico in preparation for its first game of the 2008 MLS regular season at Real Salt Lake on Saturday, March 29 (5:00 p.m. CT, TV TBD).

Chicago Fire roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Jon Busch, Dominic Cervi, Nick Noble
Defenders (8): C.J. Brown, Wilman Conde, Brandon Prideaux, Dasan Robinson, Gonzalo Segares, Bakary Soumare, Austin Washington, Daniel Woolard
Midfielders (10): Mike Banner, Diego Gutierrez, Kai Kasiguran, Stephen King, Peter Lowry, Justin Mapp, Bruno Menezes, Logan Pause, Brian Plotkin, John Thorrington
Forwards (7): Chad Barrett, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Calen Carr, Tomasz Frankowski, Andy Herron, Patrick Nyarko, Chris Rolfe

Single-game tickets on sale

The Chicago Fire announced that single-game tickets for 2008 home games at TOYOTA PARK, with the exception of the Sept. 25 match with the Los Angeles Galaxy, will go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, March 6 at 10 a.m. CT.

Tickets will be available at the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office located at 7000 S. Harlem Ave. and through Ticketmaster via phone (312.559.1212), online at www.ticketmaster.com and at Ticketmaster outlets throughout Chicagoland. Highlighting the 2008 home schedule at TOYOTA PARK is an exciting and fun-filled special event and promotions calendar featuring a number of great giveaways and other exciting promotions.

Tickets for the game against the Galaxy are currently available for purchase only via Chicago Fire Season Ticket plans - including Full Season, Half Season and Flex Plan packages - and Group Ticket packages. For more information, call 1-888-MLS-FIRE.

Season ticket packages are still available and can be purchased by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or by visiting the TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Chicago Fire Season Ticket prices in all seating areas remain the same as their 2007 prices, with Supporters packages starting at a special $200 limited time rate. Half Season (10 events) and Flex Plan (20 ticket vouchers) packages are also available at their 2007 prices. Fans are encouraged to check the TOYOTA PARK seating chart in the Ticket section of www.chicago-fire.com.

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
In Person at TOYOTA PARK Ticket Office – 7000 S. Harlem Ave.
Online at ticketmaster.com
Call 1-888-MLS-FIRE
In Person at Ticketmaster Ticket Center Locations, including Macy’s