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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Run Past Columbus Crew 2-0

October 9, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL - Peter Lowry and Brian McBride both drove home Patrick Nyarko passes to lift the Fire over the Columbus Crew 2-0 at TOYOTA PARK. With the victory, the Fire jump to fourth place in the Eastern Conference and keep their hopes alive for a spot in the 2010 MLS Cup playoffs.

With three matches remaining, the Fire (8-11-8, 32 points) sit eight points back of the San Jose Earthquakes for the eighth and final postseason spot. The Men in Red will be eliminated from postseason contention if the San Jose Earthquakes win at D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids tie or win at FC Dallas on Saturday.

The Fire pressured the Crew (13-8-7, 46 points), playing in their third match in eight days, from the get-go. Lowry put his name in the record books in the 30th minute. Rookie right back Steven Kinney started the buildup with a steady pass to a cutting Nyarko on the right side. The crafty Ghanaian slipped the ball to Lowry in-stride just outside of the box. The Santa Clara University product took a touch and powered a shot with the outside of his right foot past Columbus Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer for the 600th regular season goal in Chicago Fire history.

Holding the advantage, the Fire nearly doubled the lead in the 41st minute when Marco Pappa picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park and dribbled in on goal. The 22-year-old midfielder worked his way through the Crew defense before whizzing a low shot past a diving Hesmer and off of the near post.

The Men in Red took a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute. Freddie Ljungberg picked out Nyarko on the right flank at the edge of the Crew penalty area. Nyarko ran onto the Swedish midfielder's well-placed ball and one-timed his pass to an open McBride in the box. The U.S. Soccer legend beautifully redirected the ball into the top left corner of the net for his fifth goal of the season and 79th of his 11-year MLS career.

The Crew came close to getting on the board late in the match. Crew midfielder Kevin Burns tore down the left flank in the 90th minute before sending a curling shot around Fire ‘keeper Andrew Dykstra. Bratislav Risitc, playing at left back for the first time this season, cleared Burns' shot off the line preserving Dykstra's fourth shutout of the year.

The Fire have two matches remaining at TOYOTA PARK in the 2010 campaign, including a midweek challenge against the Kansas City Wizards on Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 PM CT (My50). In the final home match of the season, the Fire will honor Fire forward and U.S. Soccer legend Brian McBride when the Men in Red host D.C. United on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 3:00 PM CT (Comcast SportsNet/TeleFutura). For tickets, please call 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or head to the club's official website at www.Chicago-Fire.com.

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