Fire Clash with Galaxy Tonight at Toyota Park
August 19, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release
CHICAGO, IL (August 19, 2009) - The Chicago Fire (9-4-8, 35 pts.) are set to battle the Los Angeles Galaxy (7-4-10, 31 pts.) tonight at TOYOTA PARK in the first of two meetings this season. The Fire see a return to their winning ways as the team defeated the Kansas City Wizards last week on the road to remain in second place in the Eastern Conference standings. Chicago has lost just one of their last seven matches, outscoring their opponents nine to four through July and August. The Fire's only loss through the last two months came two weeks ago when he team fell 3-2 in Houston on August 9th, a loss that ended a five-game undefeated and four-game shutout streak. The Galaxy has also only lost one in their last seven league matches, last week's 2-0 loss to Seattle, posting five wins with eight goals scored through that span.
Through their 30 previous games, the Fire have a slight edge in the all-time series, going 14-13-3 in regular season play. The Fire have won their last three consecutive matches against the Galaxy and have dominated Los Angeles at home in TOYOTA PARK. The Galaxy have never won against the Fire in Bridgeview, a losing streak that includes all three league meetings as well as the 3-1 U.S. Open Cup Final loss on Sept. 27, 2006.
The Galaxy will be without two of their key players, David Beckham and Eddie Lewis, for the match today. Both players are serving a suspension for red cards in last weekend's match against the Seattle Sounders.
The game will serve as a rematch between Fire designated player Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Mexico) and Galaxy captain Landon Donovan (USA) as the two faced off last week in a 2010 World Cup Qualifier held in Mexico City. Blanco and Mexico defeated Donovan and the USA took a 2-1 win in that match. The two players will line up tonight for their clubs in a similar situation. Just as Donovan has never defeated Blanco and Mexico in the team's home stadium, Estadio Azteca, he has also never defeated Blanco and the Fire in Bridgeview at TOYOTA PARK. Tonight will be the third time the two players face off with their respective clubs, Blanco and the Fire have won both previous match ups with Blanco scoring a goal and two assists compared to Donovan's contribution of one assist in those two matches.
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Major League Soccer Stories from August 19, 2009
- Sounders FC Try to Hold off Revolution - Seattle Sounders FC
- Fire Clash with Galaxy Tonight at Toyota Park - Chicago Fire FC
- Gage on Trial with Eintracht Frankfurt - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Dynamo open Champions League play against Isidro Metapán tonight - Houston Dynamo FC
- Crew signs Venezuelan forward Emilio Renteria - Columbus Crew SC
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