The Chicago Fire (8-10-9, 33 pts.) look to extend a five-game unbeaten streak when they host the New England Revolution (14-6-7, 49 pts.) this Saturday at TOYOTA PARK in Bridgeview, Ill. The Fire still hold onto the eighth and final playoff spot after Saturday's 1-1 tie at Chivas USA, marking a club-record fourth-straight draw. New England took a 1-0 home win over the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 29, and are fresh off a 3-2 win at FC Dallas Wednesday for the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship. Kick-off for Saturday's match is at 7:30 p.m. CT, and will be televised on Comcast SportsNet (tape-delayed at 9:00 p.m. CT) and broadcast over the airwaves live on Chicagoland radio station WRTO-AM 1200 (Spanish).
Fire History vs. New England
The Fire and Revolution meet for the third of three regular season meetings this season, with each team earning a victory to split the previous two contests. On April 7, the "Men in Red" saw a fourth-minute goal from midfielder Logan Pause last for a 1-0 win over New England at TOYOTA PARK. A month later, the Revolution returned the favor, defeating the Fire with a 3-1 result in New England on May 6. The Fire own an 18-18-6 overall record against the Revolution through MLS regular season, MLS Cup Playoff and U.S. Open Cup meetings, with both teams locked with 5-5-0 records in playoff games contested. The Fire hold onto a slim 6-4-5 advantage in regular season home games contested against the Revolution in Chicagoland, but are 5-9-1 at New England. The Chicago-New England series is one of the most even and highly-contested in the Eastern Conference, and the Fire look to avenge being edged out by the Revolution on penalty kicks in last year's Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.
Saturday is Chicago Fire Remembrance Night, Presented by Walgreens
Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the founding of Chicago Fire Soccer on Oct. 8, 1997, and in remembrance of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the club will host Chicago Fire Remembrance Night, presented by Walgreens, on Saturday, Oct. 6. The first 10,000 fans to attend will receive an official 2007 Chicago Fire team photo, courtesy of Walgreens, while fire engines from around Chicagoland will be on display. While the action on the field between the Chicago Fire and New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. CT, Comcast SportsNet) will provide the sparks on the pitch, the real fireworks are set to go off at the conclusion of the day's game in a post-game fireworks show. Fans of the "Men in Red" are invited to stay after the night's game for an Oktoberfest-themed post-game party inside Gate C, with seasonal beer, live entertainment, and a large 10th anniversary birthday cake to celebrate the club's founding.
The Professor :: Juan Carlos Osorio (4-3-5) Takes a Seat
The Chicago Fire bench will be without the leadership of head coach Juan Carlos Osorio Saturday, serving a one-game suspension for his dismissal late in the Fire's 1-1 tie at Chivas USA. "El Profesor" will resume head coaching duties when the "Men in Red" resume league play on Sept. 23, at D.C. United.
Denis Hamlett (1-1-1) Takes the Reigns, Again
Fire assistant coach Denis Hamlett finds himself in a familiar position, taking over head coaching duties for Osorio. Hamlett has experience leading Chicago, serving in an interim role after former-head coach Dave Sarachan was released from the club on June 20. As a head coach, Hamlett notched a win, two losses, and a draw through three league games and a friendly at the helm of the Fire. Hamlett-led teams produced a 1-0 win over MKS Cracovia at home on June 22, a 2-0 loss at the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 4, a 0-0 draw with Colorado at home on July 1, and a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC at TOYOTA PARK, respectively.
Quick Kicks vs. New England
• Head coach Osorio's dismissal from Saturday's game at Chivas USA is the first time a Fire coach has been sent off during a game since former-head coach Dave Sarachan was ejected on April 14, 2004 at Deportivo Saprissa in CONCACAF Champions' Cup play.
• The Revolution have ended Chicago's season in the playoffs three of the last five seasons (2002 Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, 2005 Eastern Conference Final and 2006 Eastern Conference Semifinal Series), while Chicago stopped New England's 2003 postseason campaign in the Eastern Conference Final.
• The cast protecting Fire midfielder Justin Mapp's right ankle sprain is now off and the 22-year-old has begun light training.
• Chicago has allowed nine goals total in 11 games played since the All-Star break, or .82 goals allowed per game, compared to 26 goals allowed in 16 games played before the break for a 1.63 goals per game average.
• Midfielder John Thorrington has scored a goal in each of three Fire Reserves games played (9/16, 9/23, 9/30).
• Goalkeeper Matt Pickens can tie the Fire regular season shutout record with nine if he records a clean sheet Saturday night. Former netminder Zach Thornton set the original record through the 2001 campaign.
• Forward Chad Barrett is the only Fire player to appear in all 27 regular season games this season.
• New England backup goalkeeper Doug Warren was born in Chicagoland suburb Palatine, Ill. and still claims Hoffman Estates, Ill. as his hometown.
• The Fire own a 4-3-6 regular season mark at TOYOTA PARK for 2007, while posting a 4-7-3 record on the road.
• Caution Watch - Chad Barrett (3c), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (3c), C.J. Brown (6c), Calen Carr (4c), Diego Gutierrez (6c, 1e), Dasan Robinson (3c).
