An update on how Grazzini affects the overall roster has been hit a minor snag. The Three Questions are a bit delayed today. There's an unholy but holy at the same time amount of soccer stories that deserve a mention. Let's try to hit them all. The following is a collection of press releases and general info. We hit up the FIFA Women's World Cup Final, Chicago Red Stars Playoffs, Chivas coming to Toyota Park, and Chicago Fire PDL making the playoffs.
Women's World Cup Final
The USWNT takes on Japan in the Women's World Cup Final. The game coverage starts on ESPN this Sunday, July 17th at 1:00 PM CST.
More after the break
Chicago Red Stars to Host WPSL National Championship
The Chicago Red Stars are proud to announce that they will host the 2011 Women's Premier Soccer League Championship and Semifinals from July 30-31 at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill.
The semifinal matches take place at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30, and the WPSL Championship kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, in Lisle. Benedictine has served as the Red Stars' home pitch during Chicago's first WPSL season.
The Red Stars open the playoffs this Saturday. Chicago, the top seed in the Midwest-North, battles the No. 2 seed of the Midwest-South Division FC Indiana at 6 p.m. at Dublin Jerome High School, 8300 County Highway 2, in Dublin, Ohio. Host Ohio Premier Women's SC, the top seed in the Midwest-South, faces the No. 2 seed of the Midwest-North, FC Milwaukee Nationals, at 4 p.m. Saturday. The winners of these two semifinal matches then square off for a Midwest final at noon Sunday at Dublin Jerome H.S.
Chicago Fire Play Club Deportivo Guadalajara at Toyota Park on September 14
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced today that the Fire will welcome for the first time at TOYOTA PARK the 11-time champions in the Primera División in Mexican Soccer, Club Deportivo Guadalajara in an international friendly Presented by Miller Lite on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 8:00 p.m. CT.
Advance tickets for the Chicago Fire and Chivas del Guadalajara match go on sale Friday, July 15 at noon CT are available by calling 888-MLS-Fire or by visiting Chicago-Fire.com. The international friendly will serve as Bonus Game 1 in the Fire's Season Ticket Package. Supporters can purchase a ticket for the Fire - CD Guadalajara match by placing a deposit on Chicago Fire Season Tickets for the 2012 season.
Chicago Fire PDL Books 2011 PDL Playoff Ticket
Forest City London's 2-1 win over Toronto Lynx on Wednesday, July 13th means the Chicago Fire PDL squad's current point total (26 pts, 8-2-2) guarantees a berth in the 2011 Premier Development League Playoffs. Even so, with four games to go (three of which are at home), the Great Lakes Division title is still within reach. All-important to the Fire's Division title hopes are matches against the first place Michigan Bucks (29 pts, 9-2-2) and third place FC London (25 pts (8-3-1).