MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Fall for First Time in 2003

Published on May 17, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


FOXBORO, Mass. - The Chicago Fire suffered its first taste of defeat in the 2003 season on Saturday night with a 3-0 loss at the hands of the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Revolution forward Taylor Twellman's 18th minute goal gave New England the lead, and tallies by defender Jay Heaps and midfielder Steve Ralston marked the first time since last August 10 that the Fire defense allowed three goals in a contest, a span stretching 15 matches. The contest was the eighth match in 13 months between the familiar Eastern Conference rivals.

"I felt as a collective group we were slow to react. We were not winning any of the 50-50 challenges, so they were beating us to a lot of balls and when that happens it puts you back on your heels a little bit," said Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan. "They got the first goal and they were being aggressive in the attacking third for them. Once we got behind I still felt we had some chances, but they didn't exploit one particular area, they just outworked us."

After a face-paced start to the match, it was Twellman who broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when he headed home a rebound shot. Revolution forward Joe-Max Moore came in on the right side and had his shot saved by Chicago goalkeeper Zach Thornton. The deflection by Thornton bounced toward Twellman, who dove forward to head the ball into the back of the net.

The Fire missed two key opportunities to tie the match before the haftime whistle. In the 27th minute, Chicago forward Rodrigo Faria sent a pass in from the left flank which fell to a wide open Evan Whitfield. With no one in front of him, the Chicago defender fired it over the bar. The second Chicago chance was stifled by New England goalkeeper Adin Brown in the 43rd minute.

Faria found himself with a free header in the box which was stopped by the right arm of Brown as he dove to the ground to scoop away what looked like a sure goal. After one half of play, the Fire had nothing to show for a half that saw the club chasing to keep pace with the Revolution's possession-based attack.

"There were no big surprises. They played how we knew they were going to play," said Fire midfielder and captain Chris Armas. "We talked about meeting their intensity and I don't think we did. I just don't think we played good enough soccer."

After Heaps doubled the Revs' lead in the 49th minute and Ralston's tally upped the lead to three goals just seven minutes later, the situation went from bad to worse for the "Men in Red" when defender C.J. Brown was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in the 62nd minute for obstructing a Twellman run. While the Fire spent their energies going forward, the Revolution continued to enjoy the majority of possession, making an improbable Fire comeback all but impossible by playing a man down.

"(New England) came out here and played pretty tough today," said Fire midfielder Andy WIlliams. "They got that first goal and then the second one early in the second half and that kind of closed the door on us. Then with C.J. going out with the red card, that's just how soccer is sometimes."

After suffering its first loss of the season, the Fire's record dropped to 1-1-3, good for six points and fourth place in the Eastern Conference table. The Fire will return to MLS action next Sunday when it plays host to the Colorado Rapids at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium at 7:30 p.m. CT.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 17, 2003


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