The Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer will play a preseason match at UCSB’s Harder Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 9.
The clubs are training at Oxnard College. The Fire are running a camp through Sunday, Feb. 10 and the Earthquakes arrive on Thursday, Feb. 7.
Saturday’s kickoff is set for 6 p.m. A 4 p.m. preliminary game will feature the Chicago Fire Reserves against the UCSB men’s team.
San Jose, winner of the MLS Supporters’ Shield last season, includes former UCSB stars Sam Garza and Peter McGlynn.
Garza, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, played most of last season on the Earthquakes’ reserve squad. He logged 102 minutes with the big team. His first year as pro was plagued by physical ailments: breathing problems, a broken rib, a sprained ankle and a broken wrist, which required surgery in the offseason.
“Besides when I tore my ACL (causing him to miss the 2009 college season), I’ve never had a year where I’ve been injured so much,” Garza told MLSsoccer.com. “With me obviously adapting to being a rookie and the speed of play and everything, not playing on a constant basis was pretty tough for me. I think this year I’m a lot more fit. I’m a lot more ready to go, I think.”
McGlynn was taken by San Jose in the league’s supplemental draft three weeks ago.
San Jose features forward Chris Wondolowski, the league’s leading goal scorer the past two seasons.
The Chicago Fire are rebuilding their roster.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for youth. Tickets can be purchased at the UCSB Athletic Ticket Office and at Aggressive Soccer and Xtreme Soccer in Santa Barbara.
