BRIDGEVIEW, IL - The Chicago Fire Reserves had to settle for a 1-1 tie against the Kansas City Wizards Reserves in a Major League Soccer Reserve contest today at TOYOTA PARK. Newly-signed youth international defender Osei Telesford provided the Fire's lone goal with an assist from Calen Carr. The tie brings the Fire Reserves record to 0-1-1 on the season.
The Fire Reserves opened scoring in the 31st minute when Carr slipped a back-heal pass to Telesford in front of the goalmouth through heavy traffic. Telesford knocked the ball past Wizards keeper Eric Kronberg.
In the 71st minute the Wizards found their chance to equalize when the referee called a handball inside the Fire's box and awarded Kansas City the penalty kick. Wizards Reserve forward Ryan Pore sent the ball to the lower left corner past keeper Jon Busch to score the tying goal.
The Fire Reserves continued to attack through the half but were unable to convert on any of their scoring opportunities. Two breakaway situations put Carr one-on-one with netminder Chris Konopka, but his shots sailed over the cross bar and just wide of the post would not provide the Fire with a go-ahead goal.
"We had a lot of chances so we should be disappointed - to come out of this game with a tie is just not good enough" said Chicago Fire Reserves Head Coach Denis Hamlett. "With as many chances as we had, we should have put the game away. We have to be more clinical in the final third and finish on those chances."
Former Fire midfielder Will John was a stalwart in the Kansas City midfield. The Fire traded John to Kansas City in 2006 for "Fire Original" Diego Gutierrez and a 2006 MLS SuperDraft second round selection.
The Fire Reserves return to action on May 6 to take on the New England Revolution Reserves at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
Fire Reserves Lineup (4-4-2): GK- Jon Busch; D-Jeff Curtin, D-Osei Telesford (Jordan Russolillo 57), D-Daniel Woolard, D-Bakary Soumare; M-Thiago, M-Brian Plotkin, M-Floyd Franks, M-Mike Banner (Muner Hassen 90+); F-Calen Carr (Erik Hort 80), F-Pascal Bedrossian (Nate Norman 82)
Subs not used: Nick Noble
Wizards Lineup (4-4-2): GK-Eric Kronberg (Chris Konopka 45); D-Ryan Raybould, D-Aaron Hohlbein, D-Amir Lowery (Michael Kraus 74), D-Tyson Wahl; M-Kurt Morsink, M-Lance Watson, M-Will John, M-Edson Elcock (Geoff Miles 67); F-Yura Movsisyan (Will Guaderama 45), F-Ryan Pore
Subs Not Used: Cody Anderson, Allan Nekuda
Scoring Summary
CHI - Osei Telesford (Calen Carr) 31
KC - Ryan Pore (PK) 71
Misconduct Summary
CHI - Calen Carr (Caution) 67
KC - Kurt Morsink (Caution) 75
Referee: Jose Gesundheit
Referee's Assistants: Mark Gorak, Ian Gut
4th Official: Khalaf Allatayfeh
Weather: Clear, 70 degrees
