A friendly match against European giants FC Bayern Munich is always a treat. It's extra special if you get to play the defending Bundesliga champions in Germany.
The Chicago Fire will get that opportunity on August 28, announcing an exhibition match at Munich's Allianz Arena that will serve as a tribute match for Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who will play one half for each team. Tickets for the Aug. 28 match are available now.
“I’m really looking forward to walking back out at the Allianz Arena and hopefully meeting lots of fans who’ve been there since the start of my career,” Schweinsteiger said in a club statement. “I’m especially looking forward to seeing the fans on the south terrace, as we’ve always had a great relationship.”
Schweinsteiger, a Bayern youth product, played for the Bavarian club for 13 years and helped the club win the UEFA Champions League in 2013, the same year in which he earned Bundesliga Player of the Year honors. He won eight Bundesliga titles with the club and seven DFB-Pokal German Cup championships.
He moved to Manchester United in July 2015 and after a stint with the Red Devils in England, he joined the Men in Red in MLS in 2017 and played in 24 regular season matches. On January 17, the club announced that Schweinsteiger would be returning for a second MLS season in 2018.
Chicago are the second MLS team to announce a friendly against German opposition in recent days. LAFC will play Borussia Dortmund in the first international friendly at Banc of California Stadium.
Bayern Munich has played MLS opposition before, losing 2-1 to the MLS All-Stars in 2014 and dropping a 2-0 result to Clint Mathis and the MetroStars in 2001.
Bastian Schweinsteiger Re-Signs with the Chicago Fire🔥 🔥 🔥 He's back! Bastian Schweinsteiger has re-signed with the Chicago Fire.
Posted by Major League Soccer (MLS) on Wednesday, January 17, 2018
