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Logan Pause is one of the rocks in the middle of the Fire squad.  He played more than 2000 minutes last year and can be expected to be in the lineup game in and game out this upcoming season.  Pause scored just 1 goal last year, but his contributions on the defensive end were key in the Fire boasting one of the league's best defensive units in the league.

Pause is 28 years old and attended the University of North Carolina.  After his time as a Tar Heel he moved on to play for Raleigh CASL Elite in the Premier Development League.  He was drafted 23rd overall by the Fire in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft.  Pause has been an important piece to the Fire's success since the day he came to Chicago back in 2003.  Pause got his first international cap playing in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup where he and his American teammates were runners-up to Mexico.  Pause assisted Robbie Rogers on a goal in a game against Greneda.

Pause is going to yet again be a critical player in the Fire defense again in 2010.  With Conde, Robinson, and Ward in front of Jon Busch,  the Fire should be atop the league again defensively.  I expect Pause to step up to become the standout guy on the defense this season.  With the loss of Soumare, Pause's role will increase and his expectations will be much higher from de los Cobos as compared to Hamlett. 

Expect Pause to start just about every game in which he's healthy.  If he can step up his game and the Fire can indeed become as strong a defense as many expect, he's got All Star capabilities.  He's just going to need to outshine a couple other great defenders on his own team, which won't be easy.

Calen Carr has been an up-and-comer in the Fire organization for a long time now, and it's starting to look like this is finally going to be his year to break out.  Carr was plagued by injury for much of last year as he only appeared in 10 games and not scoring any goals.

Carr is a product of the University of California-Berkeley.  He was the 10th overall pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft and made his MLS debut later that year.  Carr is 27 years old and though injury-ridden throughout much of his career still has his best years in front of him.

Calen brings a sense of speed and deception to the Fire attack.  His ability to make something out of nothing using his quickness makes him very dangerous in open field situations.  With the Fire expected to become a more defense first team, he will have the task of being the break-out guy to get the ball from the middle-third into the attacking zone and to keep it there.  He will be working with Brian McBride, Patrick Nyarko, and possibly youngster Stefan Dimitrov.

Read more: Meet the Fire: Calen Carr

With the Chicago Fire season now just under 40 days away, we here at 312Sports.com feel that there is no better time than now to introduce you to the players and coaches that will be running the show in 2010 at Toyota Park.  In the inaugural Meet the Fire post we will profile the new Fire head man, Carlos de los Cobos.

In November of last year the Fire decided it was time part ways with head coach Denis Hamlett.  Hamlett had a successful, yet short, career in Chicago helping the Fire reach the semifinals in back to back years.  But the shortage of an MLS Cup Finals appearance since 2003 left the Fire wanting more.  And they believe more is coming in the form of former El Salvador National manager Carlos de los Cobos. 

Read more: Meet the Fire: Carlos de los Cobos

Tickets are now on sale for Chicago Fire games.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday that individual game tickets for all 2010 MLS regular season Fire matches at TOYOTA PARK are now on sale. Tickets start at just $22 and are available at www.chicago-fire.com or by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473).

With a balanced schedule, each of MLS' other 15 clubs will make an appearance at TOYOTA PARK during the 2010 regular season, including Opening Night against the San Jose Earthquakes on April 10 at 7:30 PM CT, the LA Galaxy(Sept. 4) and the expansion Philadelphia Union (June 5).

Read more: Chicago Fire individual game tickets available March 1: Tickets for all 15 "Men in Red" matches now available