BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - The Chicago Fire reserves scored two first-half goals and added a third in the second half to post a 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution reserves on Friday morning at the Toyota Park practice field.
Chicago (1-0-0, 3 pts.) used key performances from a pair of first-team regulars as Andy Herron and Wilman Conde each scored one goal and added one assist. Rookie Craig Lowry added two assists in the teams' first reserve match of the 2008 season. New England (0-1-0, 0 pts.) saw goalkeeper Doug Warren make several saves in the second half to prevent the Fire from increasing the lead, including point-blank stops on Heron and Mike Banner.
Herron put Chicago up in the 33rd minute, knocking in Lowry's deflected shot back across the goal. In the 43rd minute, Lowry against set up another goal, providing the service on a corner kick on which Conde rose up and headed on the far post.
With a 2-0 lead at the half, Chicago continued to push and broke through for their third goal in the 58th minute. Banner ran on to a low Heron pass across the face of the goal after Conde slotted Heron in close to the endline.
The Revs threatened with several scoring chances in the second half - from Kheli Dube and 2008 draft picks Joe Germanese and Chris Tierney - but Chicago's Nick Noble and Josh Saunders combined for the shutout.
The Revolution reserves return to action on Thursday, April 10, when they travel to face the Kansas City reserves.
New England Revolution Reserves vs. Chicago Fire Reserves April 4, 2008 - Toyota Park Practice Field (Bridgeview, Ill.)
Scoring Summary:
CHI - Andy Heron (Craig Lowry) 33
CHI - Wilman Conde (Craig Lowry) 43
CHI - Mike Banner (Andy Heron, Wilman Conde) 58
New England Revolution: Doug Warren, Amaechi Igwe, Sam Brill, Rob Valentino, Chase Hilgenbrinck (Brad Knighton 69), Brandon Tyler, Jeff Larentowicz (Geoff Walker 39), Joe Germanese, Chris Tierney, Guy Kpene, Kheli Dube
Substitutes Not Used: Kenny Mansally
Chicago Fire: Nick Noble (Josh Saunders 46), Dasan Robinson, Daniel Woolard, Austin Washington (Steve Bode 82), Wilman Conde, Mike Banner (Bruno Marques 74), Peter Lowry, John Torrington, Patrick Nyarko, Calen Carr (Kai Kasiguran 46), Andy Herron
Misconduct Summary: CHI - Dasan Robinson (caution) 53
Referee: Victor Herrera
Assistant Referees: George Ghawi (SAR), Eric Boria (JAR)
Fourth Official: Pawel Wydra
Weather: Cool and overcast, 40 degrees
