MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Top Arizona Sahuaros 1-0

Published on February 15, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


PHOENIX, AZ - The Chicago Fire Soccer Club emerged victorious over the Arizona Sahuaros 1-0 in the second game of the Fire's President's Day doubleheader. Chicago Fire midfielder John Thorrington's 38th minute penalty kick proved the difference in a hard fought battle at the Arizona State Women's Soccer Stadium. The 1-0 victory signifies the end of the Fire's preseason matches in Phoenix, the first leg of the Fire's five week, four stop 2010 preseason tour.

Chicago Fire midfielder Marco Pappa's speed on the left-hand side was too much for the Arizona Sahuaros to handle in the first half. The Fire's first chance of the game came off a Pappa corner kick. With Pappa serving an in-swinging ball, Fire forward Brian McBride leapt to meet the ball, powerfully directing it off of the crossbar.

Utilizing space on the left side, Pappa collected a loose ball and advanced on goal before being tackled from behind just outside of the Sahuaros six-yard box. Thorrington calmly stepped to the spot and converted the penalty with a side-footed effort inside the left post to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.

Chicago Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch made a number of crucial second half saves as the Fire held on to win 1-0 in their second preseason match of the day.

The team returns to Chicago on Thursday before departing for Guadalajara, Mexico, on Sunday, Feb. 21. The Fire will train at the Universidad de Guadalajara from Feb.22-March 3 before returning to the United States for preseason camps in Jackson, MS and New Orleans.

The Fire play host to the San Jose Earthquakes on Opening Night at TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, April 10 at 7:30 PM CT. Fire fans hoping to secure seats for Opening Night vs. San Jose can now purchase group tickets via the front office. Tickets start at just $18 for groups of 15 or more. Fans wishing to purchase group tickets can do so by 1-888-MLS-FIRE (657-3473) or by going to www.chicago-fire.com.

Chicago Fire 1 : 0 Arizona Sahuaros (NPSL)

Preseason Friendly

Feb. 15, 2010 - Arizona State Women's Soccer Stadium

Chicago Fire: Jon Busch; Krzysztof Krol, Wilman Conde (CJ Brown, 41'), Steven Kinney, Tim Ward; Logan Pause, Marco Pappa (Patrick Nyarko, 47'), Justin Mapp (Baggio Husidic, 65'), John Thorrington (Peter Lowry), Julio Martinez; Brian McBride

Subs not used: Jovan Bobunja, Austin Washington, Daniel Woolard

Arizona Sahuaros : Brad Swenby; Jake Schlemker, Greg Vanney, Andy Hoffman, Mike Duhaney; Skelly Keller, Greg Parris (Mitch Garcia), Matthew Hall (Tyler Reinhardt), Mike Munoz (Matt Armstrong); Brian Thames (Miguel Abascal), Dominic Pappas (David Cameron)

Scoring Summary:

CHI - John Thorrington (PK) 38'

ABOUT CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer expansion team. The Fire won the MLS Cup in its inaugural season in 1998 and was crowned the champion of U.S. Soccer's national tournament, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2006. In June 2006, the Fire moved into its world-class home of TOYOTA PARK, located in Bridgeview, IL.

ABOUT TOYOTA PARK

Located 15 minutes from downtown Chicago and minutes from Midway airport off of I-55 on Harlem Avenue, TOYOTA PARK is the Midwest's preeminent outdoor live entertainment and sporting facility. Opened in 2006, TOYOTA PARK not only serves as the home of the Chicago Fire, but also hosts a variety of sporting events, special events and concerts by national and international artists. In 2009, artists ranging from Jimmy Buffett to Phish performed live at TOYOTA PARK.

2010 Opening Night: April 10 vs. San Jose // Season Tickets on sale now! Click Here or call 888-MLS-FIRE for more information. Follow the Fire on twitter @chifiresoccer to get daily updates on the club.

2010 Chicago Fire Season Kickoff Luncheon March 24// click here for more information

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 15, 2010


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