a 4-2 victory over Chicago in MLS Cup 2003 that kept the Fire from achieving the first domestic "Treble" in American soccer history. The Fire holds a 4-1-3 lead over the Earthquakes at home. The last meeting in Chicagoland between the Fire and San Jose yielded a 0-0 draw on May 10, 2003 in Naperville, Ill.
Chicago Fire ACE/Tru-Fit Injury Report
Jaqua, Nate - R foot contusion -- questionable
Marsch, Jesse - R ankle cartilage damage -- out
Razov, Ante - lower back strain - probable
Plenty of 'Te'
Chicago's Ante Razov continued to prove why he's the Fire's all-time scoring leader, tallying two goals -- including the club's first penalty kick of 2004 - during the Fire's 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy Saturday afternoon at the Home Depot Center. Razov, who wore the captain's armband in the absence of Chris Armas, tallied his first goal in the 28th minute, when he broke free of his defender and buried his shot past Galaxy 'keeper Kevin Hartman to even the score at 1-1. Razov's second goal of the day came in the 67th minute, as he converted the club's first penalty kick attempt of the season to give the Fire a temporary 2-1 lead. His two goals increased his season total to four and marked his first multipoint game of the season.
Beasley Scores Twice as U.S. Beats Grenada 3-0 In FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Fire midfielder DaMarcus Beasley scored twice -- including the game winner - Sunday afternoon to help the U.S. National Team win the first of a two-game aggregate series versus Grenada 3-0 at Columbus Crew Stadium to open qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. After taking a 17-3 shot advantage in the first half, the U.S. and Beasley were finally able to capitalize on their efforts during injury time. Beasley received a pass from U.S. captain Claudio Reyna in the 46+ minute, and calmly headed his first World Cup qualifying goal to give the Americans the 1-0 lead. After the break, in the 70th minute, "Beas" again displayed his talents when he made a 60-yard run to the left side of the box and received a pass from midfielder Landon Donovan. As Grenada 'keeper Kellon Baptiste came off his line, Beasley put a low, left footed strike to the back of the net to double the lead. The U.S. added a third goal in second-half stoppage time to take a 3-0 lead into the second game in Grenada. Beasley played the entire 90 minutes, while Fire captain Chris Armas started and played 73 minutes. The Fire duo will travel to the Cricket Ground in St. George's, Grenada for the return leg on Sunday, June 20 (3 p.m. CT, ESPN2/Telemundo) from National Stadium.
Fire Collects 2005 SuperDraft Pick in Trade With Colorado
The Chicago Fire used a Discovery option last week to sign former Cuban International forward Rey Angel Martinez. But the club then immediately traded Martinez to the Colorado Rapids in return for a conditional second round pick in next year's MLS SuperDraft. Martinez, 24, was on trial with the Rapids for a two-week stint in April. The former Cuban international made headlines in February 2002 when, as a 20-year-old, he and a teammate on the Cuban National Team defected to the United States while the squad was competing in Los Angeles during the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Capano, U.S. U-20s to Take on Brazil
Fire midfielder Craig Capano left his Fire teammates over the weekend for Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., where he is one of 23 players on U.S. Under-20 national team head coach Thomas Rongen's roster preparing for an youth international friendly against defending Under-20 FIFA World Champion Brazil this Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. CT from Lockhart Stadium. Capano is one of six professional players - five of which ply their trade in MLS - named to the roster for the international friendly, which the U-20s will use to prepare for the Busan Four Nations International Tournament in Busan, Korea Republic from June 22-26. The 19-year old Capano was the hero -- and team captain -- for the U-20s in their last match against Haiti Select on Mar. 21 at Lockhart, as he scored the winning goal with a 20-yard strike that nicked the left post and deflected into the net midway through the second half.
Monarcas Morelia Names Eduardo Acevedo New Head Coach
The Fire's Mexican sister team, Monarcas Morelia, has hired Uruguayan Eduardo Acevedo as the club's new head coach, replacing the Argentine Antonio Mohamed. Acevedo, 44, arrives in Morelia after spending two seasons with Mexican First Division club Tecos of Guadalajara (2003-04). Acevedo made his coaching debut in Guadalajara, leading Tecos to a 9-8-4 record in 2003 (Apertura) and going 3-9-2 in 2004 (Clausura). Before arriving in Mexico, Acevedo played for Uruguay's Defensor Sporting and Deportivo Maldonado. The club will be introducing Acevedo to the media at a press conference on Monday in Morelia, Mexico.
Fire-U.S. Soccer Doubleheader Fast Approaching
After an 11-year absence, only 27 days remain until the U.S. Men's National Team makes its return to Chicago, as the Fire and U.S. Soccer will host an international doubleheader on Sunday, July 11 at Soldier Field. The U.S. squad will begin the historic evening of soccer on the banks of Lake Michigan at 6:00 p.m. CT when it hosts the Polish National Team in their second meeting of the year. The Fire will then host the New England Revolution at 8:30 p.m. in the Revs' first visit to Soldier Field since the Fire's exciting 1-0 overtime victory in last November's 2003 MLS Eastern Conference Final. Advance tickets ranging in price levels from $28 to $80 can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 312-559-1212 or visiting
. Tickets can also be purchased at the Chicago Fire Offices, located at 980 N. Michigan, Suite 1998 (corner of Oak/Michigan) in Chicago. Group discounts are also available and can be arranged by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE.
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