After seeing their Toyota Park record dented with losses in the last two matches in their new home, the Chicago Fire are looking to get back on the winning track when they face FC Dallas in the second match of the Brimstone Cup on Saturday afternoon (ESPN, 3 p.m. CT).
In the grand scheme, the latest loss wasn't as important -- a 2-1 loss to Mexico's Club America in a Wednesday friendly when many regulars watched from the bench.
But certainly more important was a 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution last weekend, a result that lifted the Revolution into a solid hold on second place in the Eastern Conference while leaving the Fire level with the Kansas City Wizards in third place.
"Our mentality is that we must win at home. We have to take advantage of our home games in order to make our move up the table," said Fire midfielder Chris Armas.
The Fire hadn't lost in their first four games in their new Bridgeview home until the New England loss. Things don't get any easier with the visit of FC Dallas, who tops the Western Conference ledger.
"We know we are playing a good team and we are coming off a tough loss last week," Armas said. "We'll look to push the game and go after those guys."
Armas said there is no difference in preparation regardless of the opponent -- whether an MLS Cup finalist from a year ago like New England, or a team with the second-best record in MLS like FC Dallas.
"Whether you play Dallas or Salt Lake or Chivas USA, you realize the potential in all the teams. If any team comes in here and plays they can take points," he said.
"We give teams respect, we try to know their strengths, but we have to have no fear."
The Fire will not have to fear Carlos Ruiz. The Hoops leader in goals and assists suffered a grade two strain of his right hamstring in the 14th minute of last week's 2-1 victory against the New York Red Bulls. "El Pescadito" will likely miss the next three weeks.
FC Dallas head coach Colin Clarke is hoping for a boost with the likely return of left-sided midfielder Ramon Nunez, who has missed four games with a right quadriceps strain. Nunez played in a reserve game last Sunday.
Fire head coach Dave Sarachan is fully aware of the new-look Hoops.
"We know Dallas," he said. "We played them in the first game of the year, but this one will obviously have a different look. They've assembled a pretty deep team. We know it will be a good, competitive match. They're going to be organized. They still have players that are good players in terms of passing and moving."
Unless the two squads meet in U.S. Open Cup play or MLS Cup 2006, it appears the Texas-based side will keep the Brimstone Cup, awarded annually by the supporters' sections of both clubs to the winner of the series between the two rivals. FC Dallas gained the upper hand in the 2006 series by defeating the Fire 3-2 at Pizza Hut Park in the 2006 season opener on April 1, a result that moved the Fire's record in regular season matches against Dallas to 10-13-1.
Ivaldo Basso is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
