Chicago Fire Team News and Notes

According to www.chicago-fire.com, Fire midfielder Marco Pappa will throw out the first pitch for the White Sox in their game against the Indians today.

Pappa throwing out the ceremonial first pitch can generate more fan interest in the Fire as well as visibility for himself.

The Fire has a fan base. For instance, over 14,000 fans showed up at the Fire’s match against the Seattle Sounders. And despite the unseasonably cold weather, where the temperature dropped below 40 degrees, the fans stayed inside Toyota Park throughout the competitive match.

Fire coach Frank Klopas and defender Jalil Anibaba will both be suspended for the Friday match at Chivas USA according to team officials.

Klopas was suspended after he berated the referees during the game-ending brawl in last Saturday night’s match versus the Sounders. Anibaba received a red card during the confrontation that took about five minutes to break up.

There is still a possibility that more suspension may be forthcoming once MLS officials complete their investigation of the incident.