Soccer Roundup

Soccer doesn't typically register too highly on the Chicago sports radar, but the sport seems to be all over the news lately.

In moving forward with the plan to bring the Chicago Fire to suburban Bridgeview, the city just completed the purchase of land on which they hope to construct a new stadium. The 45-acre lot at S. Harlem Ave. and W. 79th St. is currently the Bridgeview Court Shopping Center. The plan is to have the new stadium, which will seat 20,000-25,000, ready for the 2006 season.

However, when the Fire move into their new digs they will be without star DaMarcus Beasley, who transferred to PSV Eindhoven of the first division Dutch league. The 22 year old winger had played for the Fire for the past 5 seasons. He represents the third Fire player to transfer to a European club in the past two season, joining goalkeeper Zach Thornton, who now plays for Benfica in Portugal and defender Carlos Bocanegra, who now plays for Fulham in the English Premier League.

For those who enjoy European soccer but don't want to travel abroad to watch it in person are in luck. As part of the Champions World Series, Manchester United will face off with Bayern Munich at Soldier Field on Sunday. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster, starting at $40.