BRIDGEVIEW, IL (May 23, 2007) – The Chicago Fire (3-3-1 10 pts.) head to the "Big Apple" to face the upstart New York Red Bulls (4-1-2 14 pts.) at Giants Stadium (6:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2) for the first of three 2007 regular season meetings between the two clubs. The Fire are looking to snap a three-game losing streak after falling 2-1 to FC Dallas last Thursday at TOYOTA PARK. New York has found a competitive form early this season, as was evidenced by a 4-0 dismantling of the Columbus Crew last Saturday. The Fire currently stand fourth in the Eastern Conference with 10 points, just seven points behind conference-leaders New England, while New York sits in second in the East. The broadcast from the Meadowlands will be televised live nationally via ESPN2, as well as Chicagoland radio station WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish).

Chicago Fire@ New York Red Bulls :: Fire Match #8 – MLS Match #47

Thursday, May 24 @ 6:00 p.m. CT :: Giants Stadium – East Rutherford, N.J.

TV: ESPN2 - Satellite: None - Audio: WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish)

Game Guide: http://web.mlsnet.com/pdf/mls/2007/gameguides/05/524nychi.pdf

Chicago Fire/AthletiCo "Recovery Room" :: May 21

Gutierrez, Diego – L knee contusion, lumbar spine sprain – PROBABLE

Robinson, Dasan – L groin strain – QUESTIONABLE

Rolfe, Chris – L ankle sprain – QUESTIONABLE

Telesford, Osei – L adductor strain – OUT

Gutierrez Set to Return

Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez has served a one-game suspension and has honored a $250 fine issued by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for his 45th minute red card ejection at Toronto on May 12 and will be available for the "Men in Red" this Thursday at New York (6:00 p.m. CT, ESPN2). Noted for his grit in the midfield, Gutierrez has picked up 51 cautions in 239 games played for his MLS career, tied for sixth all-time in the league with Real Salt Lake midfielder Carey Talley. The Lee's Summit, Mo. native had started each of the previous six 2007 Fire contests before missing last Thursday's test against FC Dallas.

Familiar Faces

The Fire will see some familiar faces across the field on Thursday, as two players on the current Red Bulls side have logged time with the "Men in Red." Red Bulls midfielder Dema Kovalenko was a fan favorite in Chicago during his four-year tenure from 1999-2002, and the fiery Ukrainian is still ranked in the Fire's career top 10 in goals scored, with 22. The Red Bulls also feature a two-time Fire alum, forward John Wolyniec, who suited up in 21 regular season contests for Chicago from 2000-2002.

TV Broadcast Change for Sunday's Chicago – Salt Lake Match

Chicago Fire Soccer has announced that the Comcast SportsNet television time for the Fire's May 27 game versus Real Salt Lake has been changed in order to avoid a potential "live in progress" situation, and is scheduled for a tape-delayed, 7:00 p.m. CT start. Fans wanting to catch the game as it is played can still follow the game live on TeleFutura at 4:00 p.m. CT.

Blanco Watch

Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the Chicago Fire's Designated Player signing, is cruising with Mexican First Division side Club América as it plays through its playoff stretch of the 2007 Clausura campaign. América took 1-0 semifinal wins over Chivas de Guadelajara on May 17 and May 20, with Blanco playing the full 90 minutes of each match. In the first of a home-and-home series on May 10, the "Aguilas" tied 3-3 at Atlas' Estadio Jalisco. Blanco notched two goals and an assist in the return leg on May 13 at Estadio Azteca, helping his club hand Atlas a heavy 4-1 defeat for a 7-4 aggregate victory. Overall, the native of Mexico City, Mexico has tallied 7 goals and 6 assists through 1,530 minutes of action for the 2007 Clausura season. Blanco will become an official member of the "Men in Red" on July 1 and will be eligible to play that day in Chicago's match-up with the Colorado Rapids at TOYOTA PARK (6:00 p.m. CT, Comcast SportsNet).

Quick Kicks vs. Red Bulls

· The Fire's all-time record in MLS play against the New York franchise is 15-8-5, which includes a 7-5-2 mark at Giants Stadium.

· The last time Chicago won an MLS regular season game on a Thursday was 8/5/99 in a 2-1 win at Kansas City.

· Not one player on the Fire's current roster has ever suited up for the New York franchise.

· Fire midfielder Chris Armas is the all-time regular season series leader in fouls committed against New York with 33.

· Thursday's broadcast is the second of four total Fire games on ESPN2 during the regular season. Chicago will also be featured on "the deuce" on July 12 (vs. Houston Dynamo) and September 20 (@ FC Dallas).

· Out of the 33 goals New York has scored against the Fire all-time, 12 have come have come in the final 15 minutes of play, accounting for just over 33%.

· Chicago is 3-0-0 this season when scoring the game's first goal, 2-0-0 when leading at halftime.

· Forward Calen Carr (Dissent) and defender Dasan Robinson (Lack of Respect for the Game) have been fined $100 by the MLS Disciplinary Committee following last Thursday's 2-1 loss to FC Dallas.

· Caution Watch – Chad Barrett (2c), C.J. Brown (1c), Calen Carr (3c), Diego Gutierrez (2c, 1e), Jim Curtin (2c), Dasan Robinson (1c), Gonzalo Segares (2c), Thiago (1c).