once at each stadium -- other the final half-dozen games of the season. In their last meeting, on Oct. 13, the teams played to a scoreless draw. "Everything we hit against D.C. United was in or around the goalkeeper. We made him the hero that night without really stretching him," said Fire coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "I think we made a lot of emphasis during the week that we have to move for the far post and we did [against the LA Galaxy on Sunday]." ... In the meeting before that, the Fire held a 1-0 lead until late in the contest when a shot from a near impossible angle by Jaime Moreno from the right corner beat Matt Pickens and the teams settled for a 1-1 draw. "It was the worst feeling," Pickens said to the Chicago Tribune. "I felt like I would lose the trust of my teammates. I couldn't get it out of my head. I don't think I'll ever totally get over it." ... By virtue of holding the head-to-head advantage against the Kansas City Wizards, the Fire remained in the East bracket and will take on the Supporters' Shield winner. Had John Thorrington not scored in stoppage time and the Galaxy match finished a scoreless draw, then the Fire would have gone to the West, where they would have played Chivas USA, with Kansas City facing D.C. "We're the underdog, which I think is awesome," Pickens said to the Tribune. "But we haven't lost in eight games. And we should have won the last two times we played [United]. I think they fear us." ... Before the season finale, no tribute was held honoring Fire original Chris Armas -- who had said earlier he would decide following the year if he would retire. Defender C.J. Brown said he doesn't think it will happen. "I definitely don't think this is it," Brown said. "I know his competitive attitude." However, Thorrington said he was proud his winning goal extended Armas' final season. "I want [Armas] to go out on a high," Thorrington said.
