12^th May 2000

Hristo Stoitchkov will chat with CNNSI.com users Thursday at 2 p.m. ET. The "Mad Bulgarian" is in his first season with Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire after joining the team in March. He already has four goals in the team's first nine games, after playing in just five due to injury. Stoitchkov has won at all levels, with top clubs including Spain's Barcelona (1996-98, 1990-1995) and with the Bulgarian national team. To add to his team honors, the fiery left-footed genius has his fair share of individual awards, highlighted by the European Footballer of the Year trophy in 1994. The 34-year old forward recently retired from the Bulgarian national team with 84 caps and 37 goals. His goal total ranks second all-time for Bulgaria. He has been voted Bulgarian Football Player of the Year five times (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994) and he was also named Bulgarian Athlete of the Year in 1994. Among his greatest accomplishments came on U.S. -- and Chicago -- soil (Bulgaria vs. Greece June 28, 1994, at Soldier Field), as he led Bulgaria to a third place finish during the 1994 World Cup.

11^th May 2000

'Mad Bulgarian' lights Fire

Stoitchkov makes immediate impact with Chicago

Hristo Stoitchkov started his Major League Soccer career with a bang... or maybe that should be two bangs, since he scored two goals for the Chicago Fire on his MLS debut. But the immediate impact the 34-year-old Bulgarian had in the United States shouldn't come as a surprise, if you take a look at his résumé.
Stoitchkov has won at all levels, both with his clubs and his national team. To add to his team honors, the left-footed genius has his fair share of individual awards, highlighted by the European Footballer of the Year trophy in 1994. So when the "Mad Bulgarian" decided to come out of his brief retirement this past summer to join MLS, a lot of people asked why. "The U.S. deserves a very good soccer program following with full steam, including great players who can start to build up a great tradition," said Stoitchkov. "Comparing it to Europe, it might be a little bit slower, but the quality is still very good, and if we continue to bring great players to this country it can get nothing but better." Stoitchkov has been in the U.S. for just over 3 months, but despite a left groin strain that has kept him on the sidelines of late, that has been long enough for the Eastern European star to make an impression on the Chicago coaching staff and its players. "Hristo takes an interest with the young players. He's always showing them little things on the field," Fire coach Bob Bradley said. "They all know about his accomplishments and what he's done in his career and I think it obviously makes them notice a little more." "For all of us, I think as players it's been really exciting to have someone of his caliber and his quality," said Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez. "I think what we are most excited about is how he is off the field. He has shared himself a lot with the teammates and day by day we get to know him a little bit better." Stoitchkov's behavior off the field has always been a concern for any coach who wants to sign him. In Europe, he was known for his temper, getting into various arguments with boss Johan Cruyff during his glory years at Barcelona. But the Fire have had no such problems, outside of a red card for Stoitchkov in just his second game. "I think people around the world have known his talent," said Bob Bradley. "Sometimes people talk also about his temper. But I think I knew from the inside of teams that he had been in involved with, that he was always well-liked by his teammates, and respected for his contributions on the field. And at times he may get angry, but only because it means so much to him to win." And that's exactly why he is in Chicago, to help them recover the winning form that won the team the championship in MLS Cup '98. In order to do that, he hasn't had to change his style of play. "I haven't been able to change. I don't think I should change. If I change my style, it would be a change in person. I have changed my image a little bit -- now I have a little more gray hair." Stoitchkov may be older, but that won't stop him from dazzling defenders and shattering nets across America. (CNN)

8^th May 2000

The superstar of Bulgarian football Hristo Stoitchkov was released from the board of the directors of Neftonimik AD yesterday. The motives are that the Dagger is now playing in MLS and cannot help the team. Hristo has supported the new owners of the refinery "LUKoil", who are in war with the president of Neftohimik, Hristo Portochanov.

('Seven Days Sport')

7^th May 2000

A lingering groin strain prevented Hristo Stoitchkov from being on the Fire's travel roster for Saturday's game, but it didn't keep him from watching it. The Bulgarian striker and his wife made the trip to see the sites as well as watch the game.

('Chicago Sun-Times')

6^th May 2000

Stoitchkov didn't make the trip to South Florida for Saturday's game against the Miami Fusion in Ft. Lauderdale.

('Chicago Tribune')

5^th May 2000

Chicago Fire forward Hristo Stoitchkov had a MRI taken on Monday and the results were a Grade 1 groin strain. He will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. He is doubtful for Saturday's match at the Miami Fusion.

('Chicago Fire')

3^rd May 2000

Hristo Stoitchkov was not included in the Fire squad for the game versus Colorado.

3^rd May 2000

Stoitchkov involved in police action

Stoichkov became a witness of a a police action,when the police of Chicago was chasing and arresting a criminal,who was trying to escape as he explains for the pages of 'El Mundo Deportivo'.There have been three shots,which have broken the windows and tires of the car of the criminal.The car crashed and the policemen put a gun in the head of the criminal.Hristo was scared,because everything happened only a few meters away from him.

('Meridian Match')

28^th April 2000

Chicago Fire:Tampa Bay-5:1

Search the Web for:	Search from:
	AltavistaYahoo!ExciteHotbotInfoseekLycosAOL Netfind

Previous News Mainpage