MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire and Wizards Fight to Scoreless Draw in MLS Opener

Published on April 3, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


KANSAS CITY, MO (Saturday, April 3, 2004) - Try as they might, neither the Kansas City Wizards or the Chicago Fire could find their way to a goal on Saturday night as the 2004 Major League Soccer opener for both teams ended in a scoreless draw on front of 20,229 fans at Arrowhead Stadium. Fire goalkeeper Henry Ring registered his first career shutout in only his second career start - and his first as Chicago's number one goalkeeper.

"The old adage is if you're on the road and you get points that's good," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "It's never easy when you come into a building in someone's home opener because those teams play with a lot of emotion and energy. I thought that our guys competed very well tonight, which you have to do on the road."

Dogged defending was the order of the day for much of the match as the teams combined for 36 fouls, the closest either team coming to hitting the back of the net coming in the 73rd minute when Kansas City's Diego Gutierrez saw his shot from outside the area deflect off the outside of the post with Fire goalkeeper Henry Ring beaten.

The Wizards owned much of the play throughout the first hour of the contest, and certainly owned the best chances of the first half. Josh Wolff blazed a shot over the top from close range after just eight minutes, then brought out a fine diving save from Ring on 38 minutes. Kerry Zavagnin then tested the young Chicago 'keeper just before the halftime break with a long-range effort that was tipped over the bar.

Wolff and Zavagnin were effective after the break as well, Chicago often forced onto the back foot in defending in depth, though Ring wasn't greatly troubled until Gutierrez found the base of the post from 22 yards out.

The game then burst to life. After a fracas on the touchline around a throw-in, Kansas City's Chris Klein and Chicago's C.J. Brown were both sent off, leaving each team a man down. Minutes later, Francisco Gomez was left unmarked at the spot, but hammered his shot well over the crossbar.

But with the introduction of Ante Razov into the game, the Fire attack started to have more bite. Damani Ralph was slipped in behind the Wizards back four and cut back inside a retreating Alex Zotinca, but his looping shot sailed outside the far post.

Razov then found himself behind the Wizards rearguard but, before he could off his shot in the six-yard box, was tackled from behind by Shavar Thomas with 'keeper Tony Meola advanced off his line. Razov made a half-hearted appeal for a penalty, but referee Erich Simmons wasn't moved and the game dwindled to a draw.

"I thought it ended up good. Zeros are always good," said Ring, who also earned his first MLS Man of the Match honor in the shutout. "The guys in front of me were a big reason for that. I didn't have to see many shots between the play of C.J. (Brown), Jimmy (Curtin) and Evan (Whitfield) - those guys tore it up tonight."

With the result, the Fire sits alone in third place with one point after the first week of play, two points behind victors D.C. United and the MetroStars. The Fire will remain on the road next weekend, as the squad will head to California for a rematch of MLS Cup 2003 against the San Jose Earthquakes on an "MLS Soccer Saturday" showdown on ESPN2 at 3:00 p.m. CT. Due to his red card in tonight's match, Brown will be forced to sit out of his homecoming to the Bay Area next Saturday.

MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Henry Ring (Chicago Fire)

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from April 3, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central