CARSON, Calif. (March 3, 2007) - Playing its first exhibition with a full side, the Chicago Fire edged Chivas USA, 2-1, in a Major Soccer League primer at the Home Depot Center. Chicago is now 4-2-1 in preseason action as the team approaches the mid-way point of training camp.
U.S. MNT teammates Chris Rolfe and Justin Mapp connected in the 34th minute to open scoring Saturday. Rolfe accepted a pass from C.J. Brown along the right sideline and feed a through pass to Mapp, who cut into the box and placed a shot inside the far post. Mapp proved active on the afternoon, nearly scoring on two other occasions, only to be foiled by goalkeeper Brad Guzan on a breakaway and forward Matt Taylor, who redirected an open shot on net.
The Goodyear blimp had barely finished circling overhead when Chivas scored an equalizer in the 69th minute. A quick corner kick from Maykel Galindo caught the Fire off-guard as an unmarked Claduio Suarez finished a header in the box. It was the only blemish against Fire goalkeepers Matt Pickens and David Mahoney, who split time in net.
Rookie Mike Banner provided the heroics with six minutes left in regulation. A series of passes from Floyd Franks to Thiago to Banner left the D.C. native with an open look from 10 yards out, which he promptly buried.
"We always look at games like this as useful exercises under game-like conditions," said Fire coach Dave Sarachan. "We're in a phase of camp where we're trying to come together as a team. While it's nice to get the result, there is also room for improvement. It gave us a chance to test our fitness in hot weather and I'm pleased from the soccer side of things."
The Fire will continue to train in southern California this week, meeting the Los Angeles Galaxy on Tuesday (March 6) in a 10:15 a.m. PT exhibition from the HDC.
Notes: Interim U.S. MNT coach Bob Bradley observed from the sidelines ... while the Fire substituted freely in the second half replacing all 11 starters, Chivas made just three changes to its lineup ... Mapp now shares the preseason scoring lead (2) with Pascal Bedrossian ... a bevy of activity at HDC surrounded the Fire match. The Red Bulls and Galaxy scrimmaged next door while television crews from "Sueño MLS: Chivas Wants You!" and Showtime Championship Boxing scurried about the complex.
Scoring Summary:
CHI - Justin Mapp (Chris Rolfe, C.J. Brown) 34
CHV - Claudio Suarez (Maykel Galindo) 69
CHI - Mike Banner (Thiago, Floyd Franks) 84
Fire Lineup (3-4-3): GK-Matt Pickens (David Mahoney 46), D-C.J. Brown (Dasan Robinson 57), D-Jim Curtin (Osei Telesford 57), D-Gonzalo Segares (Jordan Russolillo 57), MF-Logan Pause (Jerson Monteiro 57), MF-Chris Armas (Thiago 57), MF-Diego Gutierrez (Bakary Soumare 57), MF-Ivan Guerrero (Brian Plotkin 57), F-Pascal Bedrossian (Chad Barrett 46), F-Chris Rolfe (Floyd Franks 57), F-Justin Mapp (Mike Banner 57).
Chivas Lineup (4-4-2): GK-Brad Guzan, D-Orlando Perez, D-Claudio Suarez, D-Jason Hernandez, D-Alex Zotinca (Lyle Martin 74), MF-John Cunliffe, MF-Francisco Mendoza, MF-Sacha Kljestan, MF-Jorge Barrera (Jesse Marsch 58), F-Ante Razov (Matt Taylor 66), F-Maykel Galindo.
Discipline Summary
CHV - Sacha Kljestan (caution) 54
CHV - Orlando Perez (caution) 57
CHV - Jesse Marsch (caution) 78
Referee: Ramon Hernandez
Referee Assistants: Emiliano Monje, Ed Kirshner
