20,276 Fire Faithful Look On as Fire Come Up Short Against \'Quakes
April 11, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
BRIDGEVIEW, IL - The Chicago Fire were defeated 2-1 by the San Jose Earthquakes in front of the largest Opening Night crowd in TOYOTA PARK history. Marco Pappa's wonder-strike was not enough to elevate the Fire to victory, as Arturo Alvarez and Ike Opara tallied for the âQuakes in front of a sold-out crowd at TOYOTA PARK.
After a scoreless first half, the âQuakes got on the board early in the second interval. In the 49th minute, Fire defender CJ Brown sent a hesitant back pass to goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra. Both players made a play on the ball resulting in a collision. The deflected ball fell to the feet of Alvarez, who calmly chipped the ball into the empty Fire net.
The Fire answered in the 52nd minute on a spectacular goal by Pappa. Patrick Nyarko created the opportunity with a run deep into the San Jose offensive third. Nyarko sent an angled pass to Collins John who laid the ball off to Pappa. In stride, Pappa ripped a shot into the top San Jose net, leveling the game at 1-1.
The Fire almost took the lead in the 73rd minute when Nyarko broke free on the right side. Much like the build-up to the Fire's first goal, Nyarko drove deep into the âQuakes penalty area and laid a pass off to John. John one-timed a driven shot toward the far post, but San Jose defender Jason Hernandez made a miraculous save, clearing the ball off the line and keeping the game tied at 1-1.
San Jose took the lead for good in the 82nd minute. San Jose midfielder Bobby Convey sent a curving cross into the penalty area. Rookie defender Ike Opara snuck behind the Fire backline sending a glancing header past a diving Dykstra to give the âQuakes the 2-1 victory.
After a fan-filled homecoming, the Fire return to the road for their third away match in four weeks when they take on D.C. United on Saturday, April 17 at 6:30 PM CT. After taking on United at RFK, the Fire return to TOYOTA PARK to face the Houston Dynamo, Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 PM CT. For tickets please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or head to the club's official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.
Major League Soccer Stories from April 11, 2010
- Saborio's late goal salvages point for RSL - Real Salt Lake
- Kansas City Wizards Go Top in the East with 1-0 Win Over Colorado - Sporting Kansas City
- 20,276 Fire Faithful Look On as Fire Come Up Short Against âQuakes - Chicago Fire FC
- Seattle earns 2-2 draw - Seattle Sounders FC
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