MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Chase Third Consecutive Victory Against Chivas USA

Published on April 26, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire (2-2-1, 7 points) look to build upon their 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo when they welcome Chivas USA (2-3-0, 6 points) to TOYOTA PARK this Saturday, May 1 at 7:30 PM CT. The Fire are in pursuit of their third win of the season and second consecutive win at home. With seven points, the Fire currently sit in a three-way tie with Columbus Crew and Kansas City Wizards for second place in the Eastern Conference.

The Fire hold a slight advantage in the 10 regular season meetings with Chivas USA, going 5-4-1 in all matches, including a 3-2-0 record over the LA-based side in matches played in Chicago. In the final game of the 2009 regular season the Fire defeated Chivas USA 1-0 on an own goal from Eduardo Lillingston to clinch a spot in the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Fire Head Coach Carlos de los Cobos and Chivas USA Head Coach Martin Vasquez are the first two Mexican-born coaches to go head-to-head in MLS history.

Saturday's match against Chivas USA will be Brian McBride's 200th MLS regular season match. The three-time World Cup forward and MLS All-Time Best XI member was MLS' first overall pick when he was selected by the Columbus Crew in the inaugural draft in 1996.

Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton was the Fire's starting goalkeeper when the Fire captured the 1998 MLS Cup. Thornton sits behind Kevin Hartman for second all-time in all-time goalkeeper wins with 127 career victories. 109 of Thornton's 127 wins came while playing for the Men in Red from 1998-2006.

CJ Brown appeared in his 275th career game for the Fire in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Houston. Thornton sits second behind Brown in games played with 215.

In 2009, the Fire swept the season series with Chivas USA. Cuauhtémoc Blanco scored a penalty kick goal in stoppage time to give the Fire a 3-2 victory over the Goats at The Home Depot Center. In the home leg the Fire defeated Chivas 1-0 to clinch a playoff spot for the 11th time in 12 seasons. Eduardo Lillingston's own goal was enough for the Fire to edge Chivas at TOYOTA PARK in the final regular season game of the season.

With an all-time tally of 320 goals and 359 assists at home the Fire sit at 999 points all-time in matches played in Chicago. The Fire's next goal will push the club over the thousand mark in points since the club's inception in 1998.

Chicago Fire First Assistant Coach Mike Matkovich spent the 2008 season as an assistant coach with Chivas USA.

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