Chivas gives Fire rude welcome to Mexico in 4-0 exhibition defeat

CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Fire took its first loss of the 2006 preseason this afternoon, suffering a 4-0 loss against Mexican First Division powerhouse Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas) in an exhibition contest at Chivas's Verde Valle training facility in Zapopan, Mexico.

The Fire's starting line-up in today's contest, the first exhibition of the Guadalajara camp, didn't differ much from the starting XI's featured during the recently-ended Florida camp, Head Coach Dave Sarachan opting to blend youth and experience in a familiar 3-5-2 formation. Chivas would deny the Fire any notable opportunities on goal during the first half, but the Fire also held its own until a goal in the 36th minute put Chivas on the board.

In just its third day south of the border, the Fire would see a myriad of factors contribute to the club's wearing down in the second half - the effect of the elevation, temperatures in the mid-80's and a continued march towards match fitness all taking their toll on the "Men in Red." However, the overriding factor was the entrance of some of Chivas's first-team players after the halftime whistle, a motivational tactic employed by CD Guadalajara Manager and former Chivas USA boss Hans Westerhof after his squad's less than inspiring 2-0 defeat to Atlante in Mexico City the night before. Chivas's new line-up would get going quickly, scoring four minutes apart in the 54th and 58th minute to extend their lead to 3-0 before the hour mark hit.

The Fire's newest trialist, midfielder Terry Alvino, would make his preseason debut in the 65th minute, entering the match in place of fellow midfielder Scott Buete. Chicago's best chance of the match would come from rookie forward and preseason scoring leader Calen Carr, his 15-yard volley in the 77th minute forcing a diving save out of the Chivas netminder that led to a corner kick. The Fire would fail to capitalize, and just one minute later Chivas would tally its fourth marker of the match to end the day's scoring.

Today's result was the Fire's first defeat of the preseason, dropping its spring training record to 4-1-1. The Fire will continue its two-a-day training schedule on Friday before returning to its exhibition slate against a Guadalajara All-Star Select squad this Saturday, Feb. 25 at 12:00 p.m. CT.

Scoring Summary:
Chivas - 36', 54', 58', 78' (scorers unavailable)
Fire - None

Fire Lineup (3-5-2): Zach Thornton (Matt Pickens 59); Jim Curtin (Jordan Russolillo 46), Jack Stewart, Dasan Robinson (C.J. Brown 56); Justin Mapp (Jeff Curtin 63), Logan Pause (Scott Buete 78), Scott Buete (Terry Alvino 65), Brian Plotkin, Ivan Guerrero (Floyd Franks 46); Calen Carr (Dasan Robinson 86), Andy Herron (Chad Barrett 46).