Fire vs. MetroStars pregame report

CHICAGO - Coming off its first victory of 2005, a 2-1 win over San Jose last Saturday, the Chicago Fire (1-1-1, 4 pts.) will hit the road to take on the MetroStars (0-0-2, 2pts.) on Friday, Apr. 22 at 7:00 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast live on national television via ESPN2, and fans can also tune into Chicagoland radio stations WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish) and WNVR 1030 AM (Polish) or listen to the live webcast on either language via the club's official website, www.Chicago-Fire.com. Friday night's match will mark the first meeting between the two Eastern Conference teams, with Chicago looking for its first road win of 2005.

Chicago Fire @ MetroStars
Friday, April 22 @ 7:00 p.m. CT: Giants Stadium
TV: ESPN2
Satellite: VYVX Conf #1815801
Audio: WRTO 1200 AM (Spanish), WNVR 1030 AM (Polish)

Chicago Fire AthletiCo Injury Report
Capano, Craig - L torn ACL surgery - Out
Herron, Andy - L ankle sprain - Doubtful
Rolfe, Chris - L groin strain - Questionable
Sanneh, Tony - R hip and hamstring strain - Doubtful
Thornton, Zach - L oblique strain - Questionable
Thorrington, John - L hamstring strain - Questionable

Series History vs. MetroStars
The Fire has controlled the overall series against the MetroStars by posting a 12-5-3 mark in regular season play against its Eastern Conference foe. The Fire has seemed just as comfortable in New Jersey as they have in Chicagoland, collecting a 6-3-1 mark at Giants Stadium. The Fire and MetroStars drew even in their season series in 2004, with each squad posting a 1-1-2 record in four contests. After the Fire blanked the MetroStars 3-0 at Soldier Field on May 1 of last year, the two sides fought to a pair of 1-1 draws on May 15 and July 17. Chicago then saw its nine-game overall undefeated streak against the Metros (6-0-3) and six-match unbeaten streak at Giants Stadium (5-0-1) snapped in a 2-1 defeat on July 24.

Quick Kicks vs. MetroStars

Friday Night Lights: Chicago has gone 5-2-1 in eight career Friday contests during regular season play, with its last Friday affair coming on Oct. 10, 2003, a 2-0 victory over Columbus.

With Zach Thornton's status once again listed as questionable for Friday's match, Matt Pickens could get the chance to start the first winning streak of his young career. Since Thornton halftime departure on 4-9 @ DC, Pickens has allowed only one goal in 135 minutes of play, with his resulting 0.67 GAA good for second-place in MLS.

With his place in Chicago's starting eleven last weekend against San Jose in the Fire's first win of 2005, Pickens became the second goalkeeper out of the Chicago Fire Premier (PDL) stable to start in MLS this season alongside his immediate successor with the Fire Premier, Chivas USA netminder Brad Guzan.

Forward Nate Jaqua is the MLS co-leader in shots on goal with five through three games, tying Columbus forward Edson Buddle atop the category. Four of Jaqua's five SOG's came in the Fire's season opener on Apr. 2 at FC Dallas, marking a career single-game high in the category for the third-year striker.