BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - With a 1-0 win over D.C. United last Thursday at TOYOTA PARK in game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, the Chicago Fire surge into the nation's capital to face United in game two of the home-and-away series at RFK Stadium (ESPN2, 6:30 p.m. CT). Riding a nine-game unbeaten streak (4-0-5) and a 1-0 aggregate goal lead, the Fire hope to extend D.C.'s October winless streak into November. The broadcast for Thursday's game is at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and via the airwaves on Chicagoland radio station WRTO-1200 AM (Spanish).
Chicago Fire @ D.C. United: Eastern Conference Semifinal Series: Game Two
Thursday, Nov. 1 @ 6:30 p.m. CT: RFK Stadium - Washington, D.C.
TV: ESPN2 (Dave O'Brien, Eric Wynalda, Allen Hopkins, Rob Stone, Julie Foudy)
Satellite: VYVX Conf# 2410318
Audio: WRTO-1200 AM (Oscar Guzman, "Batata" DaSilva, Enrique "Tico" Fernandez)
Curtin, Jeff - R groin strain - OUT
Curtin, Jim - R shoulder labral tear - OUT FOR SEASON
Guerrero, Ivan - L ankle sprain - PROBABLE
Mapp, Justin - R ankle sprain - QUESTIONABLE
Russolillo, Jordan - R hip labrum tear - OUT FOR SEASON
Telesford, Osei - L groin strain - OUT
FIRE HISTORY VS. UNITED
The Chicago Fire will meet D.C. United for the fifth time of the 2007 campaign on Thursday, as the "Men in Red" look to defend a 1-0 aggregate lead gained on Oct. 25. A month earlier the Fire tied United 1-1 at TOYOTA PARK on Sept. 23, while Chicago fell 3-1 at RFK Stadium on June 16, marking the sixth loss of the previously played eight games and featured the last game with former head coach Dave Sarachan at the helm. The Fire own a 12-12-7 record against D.C. United in regular season matches played, and are 4-9-3 in games contested at RFK.
Chicago have also done exceptionally well versus D.C. in the playoffs, boasting an undefeated 5-0-1 record and outscoring their opponent 11-0 across six all-time postseason match-ups. The Fire have posted six consecutive playoff shutouts versus D.C. United. The only other MLS club to record even four consecutive playoff shutouts against one team is the Los Angeles Galaxy against the Colorado Rapids, though they have held Colorado scoreless in six of the seven playoff games between the two clubs.
Most Playoff Shutouts
6 Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids
6 Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United
4 Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution
4 D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls
4 D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew
RED STREAK (4-0-5)
The Chicago Fire are enjoying their best form of the season, evidenced by a current nine-game unbeaten run through MLS league and postseason play, starting with a 1-0 win at Columbus on Sept. 8. Much of the success can be attributed to the defense, which has given up only six goals, or .66 goals-per-game during that stretch. During their run, the Fire have posted crucial results against Eastern Conference opposition, going 3-0-3 through six inter-conference games through the nine-game streak. Ties were the theme down the stretch, as the "Men in Red" have drawn five times during the streak, while narrowly outscoring their opponent 7-4.
QUICK KICKS VS. D.C. UNITED
• The Chicago Fire beat the 2005 Supporters' Shield-winning D.C. United, 4-0, in game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series to advance to the Conference Championship game after tying game one 0-0 at home.
• Since the Fire's 4-0 loss to Houston on July 12 in Juan Carlos Osorio's coaching debut, the team has lost just twice (Aug. 22 at KC, Sept. 1 at NY).
• Chicago's win over Los Angeles on Oct. 21 helped the Fire reach double-digits in wins with 10. Only once in club history has the Fire failed to reach 10 wins in a season - in 2003 with 8.
• Despite committing the fourth fewest fouls in the league this season with 393, the Fire ended the regular season with at least 60 yellow cards - a total surpassed in a season only once - 71 in 2000.
• Chicago allowed ten goals total in 14 league games played since the All-Star break, or .71 goals against per game, compared to 26 goals allowed in 16 games played before the break for a 1.63 goals against per game average.
• Fire rookie midfielder Mike Banner is a Washington, D.C. native.
• Chicago midfielder Justin Mapp made three appearances (7/24, 8/17, 9/14) for United during his 2002 rookie season. Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch was part of the D.C. United roster during the 1999 campaign, but did not play.
• D.C. rookie forward Jerson Monteiro was traded to United from Chicago on Sept. 14 in exchange for a conditional 2008 MLS SuperDraft pick.
• Forward Chad Barrett is the only Fire player to appear in all 30 regular season games this season and played 63 minutes in last Thursday's game one.
• The Fire owned a 6-3-6 regular season mark at TOYOTA PARK for 2007, while posting a 4-7-4 record on the road.
