MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire defeat Red Bulls 1-0 in home opener

Published on April 5, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (April 5, 2009) - The Chicago Fire defeated the New York Red Bulls 1-0 in their home opener today at TOYOTA PARK despite playing down one man for the majority of the match. Midfielder Marco Pappa tallied the game-winning goal for the Fire, while goalkeeper Jon Busch recorded the shutout. The Fire return to action this Saturday, April 11 against the San Jose Earthquakes, on the road at Buck Shaw Stadium (3 p.m. CT, TeleFutura).

1 2 F

CHI 1 0 1

NY 0 0 0

CHICAGO FIRE: GK-Jon Busch, D-Gonzalo Segares, D-Wilman Conde, D-Bakary Soumare, D-Tim Ward, M-Justin Mapp (Brandon Prideaux 45), M-John Thorrington, M-Logan Pause, M-Marco Pappa (Austin Washington 84), F-Brian McBride (captain), F-Patrick Nyarko (Chris Rolfe 70).

NEW YORK RED BULLS: GK-Danny Cepero, D-Danleigh Borman, D-Kevin Goldthwaite, D-Jeremy Hall (Carlos Johnson 62), D-Carlos Mendes, M-Macoumba Kandji (Dominic Oduro 20), M-Dane Richards, M-Jorge Rojas, M-Luke Sassano, M-Khano Smith (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 73), F-Juan Pablo Angel (captain).

Scoring Summary

CHI-Marco Pappa 1 (UA) 33'

Misconduct Summary:

CHI-John Thorrington (ejection, denied goal scoring opportunity) 14'

NY-Kevin Goldthwaite (caution, reckless tackle) 44'

NY-Dane Richards (caution, reckless foul) 93+'

NOTES

With the win, the Fire (2-0-1, 7pts.) sit in first place in the Eastern Conference tied with New England. The Fire are undefeated in 2009 MLS league play. Pappa scored the game-winning goal as his shot bounced off the post and rolled along the line before rolling over for the game-winner. Pappa's goal was his first career MLS goal. In the 14th minute Chicago Fire midfielder John Thorrington fouled Macoumba Kandji from behind and was issued a red card for denying a goal scoring opportunity The Fire played with 10 men for the remainder of the game. Thorrington will serve a one game suspension for his 14th minute red card and will be unavailable for the Fire's next match (Saturday, April 11 @ SJ). Jon Busch recorded his first shutout of the season today, making four saves. The Fire are 1-0-0 when playing at home in TOYOTA PARK in 2009. All-Time Regular season record against Red Bull New York: 19-10-6 and 11-3-4 at home in Chicago Attendance today at TOYOTA PARK was 11,633. Head Coach Denis Hamlett on the game: "Our team showed unbelievable work rate, commitment, given the conditions tonight. Even though we were a man down early, we stuck together; we kept working, got a little bit of help from the wind with the Marco's goal. Great finish hitting it the first time and I'm more proud of that today. It shows the commitment of the team." The Fire will travel to San Jose for their match against the Earthquakes on Saturday, April 11 (TeleFutura, 3:00 p.m. CT).

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