The Chicago Fire released the preseason schedule for 2016, which will include trips to Tampa, Fla., and Portland, Ore.
The Fire will open with training camp starting Jan. 25 at The PrivateBank Fire Pitch on Chicago’s North Side. After spending five days of training in Chicago from Jan. 25-29, the team will depart for Tampa on Jan. 31.
Once in Tampa the Fire will train at the University of South Florida before returning to Chicago on Feb. 12.
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The Fire will then close out the preseason with a trip to Portland, just like they did in 2015. The team will be in Portland from Feb. 15-28 as part of the 2016 Simple Invitational with matches against the host Portland Timbers, the Vancouver Whitecaps and North American Soccer League side Minnesota United FC.
The Simple Invitational will be held at the Timbers’ home stadium, Providence Park. The Fire’s first match is against Vancouver on Feb. 21. Three days later the team will take on Minnesota. The final will take place on Feb. 27 against the host and reigning MLS Cup champion Timbers.
“I’m excited that in just over a month we’ll finally get the team together and begin our preparations for the season,” Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic said in a press release. “It’s invaluable that we’re able to utilize The PrivateBank Fire Pitch, our own facility right here in Chicago to set the tone before heading to Tampa and Portland for competitive matches as we build towards opening day.”
