Jeremy Mikula
CSNChicago.com
The Chicago Fire will once again participate in the preseason Carolina Challenge Cup in February, the team said in a statement Tuesday.
Hosted by the United Soccer Leagues Charleston Battery, the competition is a four-team round-robin tournament that will feature the Battery, the Fire and two MLS sides to be named later.
The Fire have twice participated in the Carolina Challenge Cup, now in its 10th year, having competed in both the 2011 and 2012 editions of the tournament. In 2011, the team finished third with a 1-1-1 record -- the loss coming to eventual winners DC United. In 2012, the team was second behind DC United before severe thunderstorms cancelled the remaining games.
The Men in Red will report to Toyota Park for preseason training on Jan. 18 before eventually heading to Charlestown, S.C., for the tournament to be held at Blackbaud Stadium from Feb. 16 to 23. The fixture dates are scheduled for Feb. 16, 20 and 23.
The Charlestown Battery were recently crowned the 2012 USL Pro champions in September.