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MLS Preseason: Chicago Fire Top Florida Gulf Coast University 3-0

February 1, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Feb. 1, 2012) - The Chicago Fire used goals from Marco Pappa, Dominic Oduro and Orr Barouch to come away with a resounding 3-0 over Florida Gulf Coast University Wednesday night in Ave Maria, Fla. With the victory, the Fire move to 1-0-1 in their 2012 preseason campaign.

Similar to Sunday's opening draw vs. D.C. United, Fire head coach Frank Klopas used the match for talent evaluation, deploying 30 players over three periods of 30 minutes each.

Klopas' side came out at a furious pace, overloading their collegiate opponents in the attack before being rewarded for their efforts seven minutes in when Dominic Oduro played a leading ball for Federico Puppo down the left. The newly signed Uruguayan striker hit a low blast across the goal which FGCU keeper Nathan Ingram parried into the path of Marco Pappa before the Guatemalan midfielder buried the rebound to open his preseason account.

The Fire doubled the lead in the 21st minute as Pappa broke up a build-up out of midfield. Picking up the ball, the Guatemalan attacker drove towards goal, slotting Oduro around a defender before the speedy forward struck a low blast that the onrushing Ingram partially deflected before hitting the back of the net.

The second XI showed connectivity and good moments but didn't break through until the end of their allotted time. Corben Bone's driven corner kick from the left swung through the box before falling to the feet of Orr Barouch, where the Israeli youth international tapped home the third goal in the 60th minute from inside the six-yard-box.

Staying on for the final 30 minutes, Bone nearly added a goal when Victor Pineda made a dazzling run up the right to the end line before cutting back a pass to the top of the 18. Bone took a touch before hitting a low drive across the frame, just wide left of goal in the 71st minute.

The Fire continue preparations ahead of its 15th season when they take on Honduran side Real C.D. Espana at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans, La. on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 5:00 p.m. CT. Fans can follow the action live at www.twitter.com/ChiFireMatch.

The Fire host Opening Day at Toyota Park against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, March 24 at 7:30 PM CT. Chicago Fire Season Tickets are available by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473), via Ticketmaster or by heading to the club's official website at Chicago-Fire.com.

Notes:

* Captain Logan Pause did not play after flying home to be with his wife who gave birth to the couple's first child Tuesday night. Pause and goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who has been granted a rest after U.S. Men's National Team camp, will rejoin the team for Phase Two of preseason beginning February 8 in Ventura, Calif. Additionally, MLS SuperDraft selection, striker Lucky Mkosana was unavailable for selection, having returned to Dartmouth, where he's working towards his graduation in March.

* Late camp arrivals striker Federico Puppo and Guatemalan international Marco Pappa made their first preseason appearances for the Men in Red, playing the initial 30 minutes of the match, with Pappa collecting a goal and assist.

* Fire goalkeeper Jay Nolly sat out his second straight preseason match as the team continues to evaluate trialing goalkeepers Alec Kann, Paolo Tornaghi and Supplemental Draft pick Carl Woszczynski.

* The Fire will conclude training in Ave Maria with a single session Thursday afternoon at 5:30pm ET.


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