ISA News

Just a few days after snatching a draw from the jaws of victory :( the Fire meet Toronto FC in what is looking like a must-win match this Wednesday, September 8th, at 7:30PM. Weekday games are always a scramble for supporters, so here's the lowdown on what's happening.

Tickets: If you've signed up for 2011 SEASON TICKETS, you'll have a ticket for this match already. It's still not too late, either. Want a freebie? Sign up here. If you aren't ready to take the plunge (and you really have no excuse given the deals we've hashed out for next year) you can purchase tickets on our store.

Tifo Display: The display for the LA match went pretty well, all things considered, and we're trying to keep that momentum going with another, somewhat simpler display for this weekday match. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you'd like to help, or check out our message boards. Volunteers should meet near the POD storage container in the North Lot (see link in tailgate section below for a map) at 5PM, or meet at the capo stand inside the stadium at least a half hour before game time. Even if you can't help set up, you can make the display a success by listening to instructions from section leaders and communicating with others around you.

Beer buses: Once again, we have beer buses running from four locations this week: Small Bar Fullerton in Lincoln Park, Small Bar Division in Wicker Park, the Elephant & Castle in the Loop, and Union Park Lounge in the West Loop. As ever, it's just $10 for a round trip with free beer on the bus -- buy your ticket in advance now.

Tailgate: Join us in the North Lot as always for our tailgate, open to everyone (donations are gratefully accepted). A weekday match means we'll likely be having a pile of pizzas delivered.

Match crew: (See tifo item above.) As always, we need hands to help put up banners and prep the stadium for game time. Contact our Operations Director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to volunteer your services - it's easy to help out, you'll just head into the stadium for set-up at 5PM and then come back out to enjoy the tailgate.

Join-in: Sing and chant with us! Know your songs: http://www.section8chicago.com/docs/song-book.pdf. We encourage all fans around the stadium to join in our chants - learn them! We particularly remind everyone that "Section 8", sections 117/118, are standing, participatory areas set aside for supporters to do their best to cheer on the team - sing loud, bring a flag (enter through the supporters' entrance between gates B & C), and let those around you know they are welcome to join in the chants.

Get in Early: S8 was chock full for the LA match, but many long-time Fire supporters commented it was not as loud as it could have been. This match presents an opportunity to grow our base of fervent support, and maybe convert a few newbies on the way. Download the songbook above. Share it with those around you. Get your friends in the sections early, at least by 7PM, and make sure the TFC players know whose house they're in.

The Fire meet the LA Galaxy for the second time in just over a month this Saturday, September 4, at 3PM. Here's all the information you need to get to the game and take part in creating a great atmosphere for the team.

Tickets: If you don't have them, it's not looking so good. Just like the game against the Red Bulls a while back, the stadium is pretty much sold out. Some standing room only tickets are still available from the Fire, but Section 8 Chicago has been sold out for a while now. (Ya should've gotten in on our 2-for-1 deal with the New England game!)

Tifo Display: We're going to have a big display for this game, and we need a lot of help. If you'd like to help load in items pre-game, or in communicating the intent of the display to people around the stadium, we want you. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or show up at the POD when the gates open (10AM) on Saturday.

Beer buses: Once again, we have beer buses running from four locations this week: Small Bar Fullerton in Lincoln Park, Small Bar Division in Wicker Park, the Elephant & Castle in the Loop, and Union Park Lounge in the West Loop. As ever, it's just $10 for a round trip with free beer on the bus -- buy your ticket in advance now. Word to the wise -- it's a sell-out game, the buses are gonna be full. Buy soon if you haven't already.

Tailgate: Join us in the North Lot as always for our tailgate, open to everyone (donations are gratefully accepted). You can get in at 10AM via gate S2, all other gates open at 10:30AM. We'll have burgers, dogs, and beer. The Fire will be holding a Pig Roast pre-game as well, if you want to check that out.

Merch: We'll have scarves available at the tailgate along with flags and other supporter-produced merchandise.

Match crew: (See tifo item above.) As always, we need hands to help put up banners and prep the stadium for game time. Contact our Operations Director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to volunteer your services - it's easy to help out, you'll just head into the stadium for set-up a couple of hours before kickoff and then come back out.

Join-in: Sing and chant with us! Know your songs: http://www.section8chicago.com/docs/song-book.pdf. We encourage all fans around the stadium to join in our chants - learn them! We particularly remind everyone that "Section 8", sections 117/118, are standing, participatory areas set aside for supporters to do their best to cheer on the team - sing loud, bring a flag (enter through the supporters' entrance between gates B & C), and let those around you know they are welcome to join in the chants.

Get in Early: Let's build on the successes of past matches. The sections have been loud and proud, and the atmosphere was terrific. Get in the stadium at least a half-hour early to start building atmosphere. When you see supporters start to march inside as a group, it's time to put down your last beer and get singing - we will be gathering around the tailgate at 2PM to start the march-in, come and join us!

Join us and stand in Section 8 to support the Chicago Fire for every game at Toyota Park in 2011. Our goal is to make the entire Harlem End rock all the time for the Fire, and the best way to do that is to keep growing the number of season ticket holders in Section 8. The good news is that in 2011, your season ticket in Section 8 will only cost $200, and your parking cost as a Section 8 season ticket holder will be a mere $6 per game, every game. But the low cost of being a season ticket holder isn’t why you should do this.

Be a part of the Club every game and help us build a Harlem End that is filled with our songs, our banners, our flags, our scarves and our electricity that drives the players in every game and meets our mission: To unite all Chicago Fire fans and to create a dominant in-stadium force unseen in any American team sport.

Section 8 Chicago is adding in a few extra benefits to help build the club, too. As well as all the regular benefits of being a Fire season ticket holder, Section 8 Chicago exclusively offers you:

• A complimentary Chicago Fire Soccer Club t-shirt designed by Section 8 Chicago.
• A contribution to charity: $10 of your season ticket purchase price will go directly to the Chicago Fire Foundation.
• Support for our tifo displays: A portion of your season ticket purchase price will go to our tifo display fund. Remember, Section 8 Chicago is a registered not-for-profit.

You can sign-up for your 2011 season ticket now via the Fire's website, by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), or at our tailgate at any remaining game in 2010 (a ticket rep will be available to answer your questions and take payment). We are also offering the following easy ways to pay:

• 12 month payment plan: sign up for automatic withdrawal by October 22nd, then pay the balance by payments of 8.33% of the remaining total on the 1st of each month through September 2011
• $25 deposit: sign-up the easy way, put down a deposit to guarantee your season ticket and pay the rest later via the payment plan or full payment
• 50/50: First payment by October 22nd, second by February 1st
• Or pay in full before October 22nd, and save 5% on your season ticket price
• BONUS: Sign-up by this Wednesday and receive a FREE ticket to the 9/8 Toronto game in Section 8!
• And don't forget to refer a friend & earn back a reward for building the club.

Ever get to a game and realize you forgot to eat? Tired of the same old food options up and down Harlem Ave. for pre-game sustinance? Look no further, hungry Fire fans...

Come join the Chicago Fire for an exclusive tailgate on Saturday, September 4^th at our match versus the LA Galaxy starting at 12pm. For Section 8 only there is a special $20 offer instead of the $35 regular price. The package will Include your meal and one drink; a cash bar will be available. For more information call Fan Relations at 708-496-6800 or visit Chicago-Fire.com. Please RSVP as soon as possible for food-ordering purposes.

By the way... Tickets for the LA game are available on our store. Need help getting to the match? Check out our beer buses. This is going to be a great match and will likely sell out very quickly. Be sure to get your ticket, get your belly full of BBQ, and get in the stadium early to support the Fire!