Armas's Late Goal Wins it for Fire
Published on October 18, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
CHICAGO - Chicago Fire midfielder Chris Armas scored his first two goals of the season to snatch a dramatic 4-3 victory against the Colorado Rapids Saturday night at Soldier Field. Colorado forward Zizi Roberts also scored two in the match as a second half substitute, erasing a Chicago lead and threatening to send the match into overtime. Armas notched his second goal of the night in the closing seconds of stoppage time, however, sealing the win in the Fire's final home match of the 2003 regular season.
The Fire took the lead in the 12th minute of play, as forward Ante Razov drove home his 14th goal of the season, converting his fifth penalty kick of the campaign. Nate Jaqua drew the whistle when he made a quick turn to open a lane into the penalty area before being brought down by Colorado's Nat Borchers. Razov went to the spot for the Fire, hitting the back of the net to give the home side the early lead.
Colorado's Chris Henderson erased the deficit in the 20th minute, beating goalkeeper Zach Thornton to knot the score at 1-1 and to silence the Fire supporters. Taking a cross from Mark Chung, forward Chris Carrieri split the Fire defense with a well-played ball to Henderson inside the box. Taking a one-touch shot with the right foot, Henderson equalized with his fourth goal of the campaign.
Midfielder Chris Armas notched his first goal of the season in the 42nd minute to put the Fire on top at the halftime break. Justin Mapp, celebrating his 19th birthday, slipped a ball through the Colorado backline to pick out Armas on the run. The U.S. National Team regular beat `keeper Scott Garlick to the far post, slipping home the go-ahead goal.
DaMarcus Beasley added an insurance goal in the 67th minute of play, extending the Fire lead after an impressive individual effort. Fed by Andy Williams on the flank, Beasley attacked Wes Hart, burning past him with raw speed. Beasley notched his seventh tally of the season, beating Garlick to the far post for the 3-1 lead.
But second half substitute Zizi Roberts began an improbable Colorado comeback, finding the back of the net in the 72nd minute. John Spencer fed the Liberian striker with a cross about twelve yards from the goal line. Roberts lashed a shot from a tight angle, finding a way past Thornton to narrow the gap to one goal.
Roberts scored again in the 88th minute, knotting the score at 3-3 with his fifth tally of the season and his second of the match. Pablo Mastroeni set up the equalizer, slipping the ball forward to Roberts.
But Armas would strike again, giving the Fire the dramatic victory. As the ball was battered around inside the penalty area, Dipsy Selolwane managed to push the ball out of Carlos Bocanegra near the perimeter. Bocanegra alertly laid the ball into the path of an onrushing Armas, who was charging up the center channel. Connecting near the penalty spot, Armas drilled the ball past Garlick with a one-time shot, giving the Fire the dramatic victory.
The Fire (15-6-8, 53 points) finish the season with an impressive 10-1-4 home record, and a shot at clinching the 2003 Supporters Shield. If San Jose falls to the Los Angeles Galaxy in tonight's late match, the Fire will secure the regular season title for the first time in team history. The Fire will close out the regular season on the road on Sunday, October 26th as they face the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium.
Colorado (11-11-7, 40 points) is now winless in their last five matches, posting a 0-2-3 record since September 18th. The Rapids also finish their season the road, facing the Dallas Burn on Saturday, October 25th.
MLSnet.com Man of the Match - Chris Armas (Chicago Fire)
Major League Soccer Stories from October 18, 2003
- Galaxy Blanks Earthquakes, 3-0 - MLS
- Wizards Extend Streak With 1-0 Win Over Burn, Move into Second in the West - Sporting Kansas City
- Armas's Late Goal Wins it for Fire - MLS
- Revs' Unbeaten Streak Extended to Six Games - New England Revolution
- MetroStars Fall to Revs, 2-1 - Red Bull New York
- Early Score Enough for Wizards - MLS
- Noonan Pushes Revs Past MetroStars - MLS
- Colorado Rapids Game Notes - Colorado Rapids
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