April 9, 2009

CHICAGO- Flames Field served as the host to the third annual benefit match between the UIC men's soccer team and the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer this past Tuesday (Apr. 7), and this year's event proved extra special as three former Flames returned to play their alma mater with the Windy City's professional side.

Baggio Husidic, who starred for the Flames from 2006-08 and garnered First Team All-America accolades at UIC last season, is in his first MLS season with the Fire after signing a Generation adidas contract with the league and getting drafted by Chicago this past January.

Cesar Zambrano, a midfield standout for UIC from 2005-2007 and the Horizon League Championship MVP during the Flames' magical Elite Eight season in 2007, and Pat McMahon, a four-year mainstay on the UIC backline who did not miss a single match from 2005-08, are currently training with the Fire.

Husidic played all 90 minutes in the Fire's 3-0 win over UIC, while Zambrano and McMahon played much of the second half as reserves.

All three had played against the Fire at least once in the previous two benefit matches as part of UIC's Starting XI prior to their kit reversals in this year's contest.

"Unbelievable to see three UIC guys in the Fire jersey, with Baggio being on the team and Cesar and Pat training with them," said UIC head coach John Trask after Tuesday's friendly.

Just a few months removed from ending his collegiate career with UIC's 2008 Sweet 16 run, Husidic is finding things to his liking in the early stages of his professional career.

"Things are going well. I'm fitting in well with the team," Husidic told MLSnet.com writer Kathryn Knapp. "It's an adjustment, but I think it's going well."