MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire and MetroStars Remain Deadlocked Atop East After 1-1 Draw

Published on August 9, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


NAPERVILLE, IL (Saturday, August 9, 2003) - After entering their "Soccer Saturday" showdown tied atop the Eastern Conference standings, the Chicago Fire (8-4-5, 29 pts.) and MetroStars (8-5-5, pts.) remained that way after a grueling 1-1 draw in front of a season-high 14,348 fans at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium. Fire forward Damani Ralph notched a record-tying goal in the first half to open the scoring, but the MetroStars grabbed another late goal to send the match into overtime. The teams both moved to the 29-point plateau with the result, but the "Men in Red" still hold an advantage in the conference by remaining one game up on the Metros in the loss column.

"Typical New York, we knew it was going to be like this," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "I was proud of our team. I thought we pushed the game and created a lot of chances and their goalkeeper made some big saves. New York has shown this year that unless you're really sharp and alert for 90 minutes, it's not over. These are the types of games that are going to happen with two great teams battling for first place. At the end of the day I still felt we had a bunch of chances but was disappointed that we couldn't finish them and get the three points."

Chicago forward Damani Ralph continued his stellar rookie campaign with his eighth goal of the season in the 22nd minute of play. Rushing down the far side of the penalty area, Ralph generated space by drawing defender Steve Jolley off balance with a quick stutter step. Ralph broke away from Jolley, gaining enough space to lash a sharp-angled shot past goalkeeper Jonny Walker and into the far side netting.

""I had a one-on-one with Johnny (Walker) and I was able to just squeeze it past him," said Ralph, who with the goal tied the League record for most goals in a rookie season. Josh Wolff (Chicago, 1998), Jeff Cunningham (Columbus, 1998), and Rodrigo Faria (MetroStars, 2001) all equaled Ralph's feat in their first seasons in MLS.

Though the Fire enjoyed the run of play for most of the match, the MetroStars evened the score in the 86th minute, capping of a flurry of activity inside the Chicago area. Mark Lisi earned a corner kick for the Metros, forcing goalkeeper Zach Thornton to make a pair of lighting-quick saves at the goal line before the Fire `keeper sent the ball over the end line.

On the ensuing corner Mike Magee sent a swinging ball to the far side of the box, where defender Steve Jolley sprinted out of the back of the pack. Marked tightly by Chicago's Jim Curtin, Jolley stretched out to connect on a one-touch volley that rang off of the underside of the crossbar, knotting the score at 1-1 and sending the match into overtime.

Walker was tested several times in the game as the Fire applied pressure all over the field. In the 14th minute, the MetroStars' `keeper denied Ante Razov's attempt, snatching the long, rising blast out of the air. In the second half, Walker's positioning led to a spectacular reflex save that aborted Razov's close-range volley attempt in the 65th minute. Eight minutes later, Walker's diving save plucked a well-struck Jesse Marsch rocket neatly in mid-flight.

Walker's biggest save of the match, however, may have come in the sixth minute of overtime, when he made yet another stop on Razov. The Fire forward leathered a low shot from twenty yards out, forcing Walker to make a quick block. The force of the shot carried the ball through Walker's gloves, but he recovered quickly enough to hold on to the ball and to preserve the draw. That last stop was Walker's eleventh of the match, which marks a season-high for an opposing netminder against the Fire.

Although both are deadlocked at 29 points, Chicago remains at the top of the Eastern Conference table by the virtue of a superior head-to-head record (2-0-1) against the MetroStars. The Fire will continue its busy month of August when it travels to Ohio on Wednesday, August 13 to face the Columbus Crew for the first time this season (6:30 p.m. CT - Fox Sports Net).

MLS Man of the Match - Jonny Walker (MetroStars)

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 9, 2003


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