MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Falls to San Jose 1-0; Chicago Takes on Colorado in Baton Rouge in Final Pre-Season Tune-Up

Published on March 20, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Thursday, March 20, 2003) - The Chicago Fire suffered a 1-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes today in the team's first West Coast scrimmage at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA. 'Quakes midfielder Ronnie Ekelund's penalty kick in the waning moments of the match was enough to give Chicago its third straight loss, dropping its preseason record to 2-6-1.

For the seventh time in nine preseason contests, the "Men in Red" held an opponent to no more than one goal. However, the Fire was shut out for the sixth time in those nine games.

The first half was uneventful as neither team managed to create scoring opportunities due to some rock-solid defense by both sides. In the second stanza both teams quickened the pace of the game, with the Fire getting the better of the opportunities. Chicago's first clear chance of the game came on a breakaway from midfielder DaMarcus Beasley. Forward John Wolyniec played a ball into space for Beasley, who gathered and went one-on-one with Earthquakes goalkeeper Pat Onstad. Beasley put his chance on goal, but the 'Quakes' new netminder was able to make a kick save and keep the scoreboard motionless.

In his first preseason contest with the Fire, midfielder Justin Mapp had an impressive showing in the second half. In the 67th minute, Mapp, a naturally left-sided player, whipped a cross into the six-yard box from the right flank that found the head of teammate Nate Jaqua. The towering rookie forward nodded the ball on goal, but Onstad was again in the right place to make the point-blank save.

With the run of play in favor of the Fire, it would end up being a pair of penalty kicks with play stopped that would decide the fate of the game. Chicago's turn would come first in the 74th minute, when forward Damani Ralph was pulled down by an Earthquake defender on his way to goal. Beasley lined up for the ensuing penalty kick, but his shot went wide left of the goal. Four minutes from time San Jose earned a spot kick of their own after Fire defender Jim Curtin fouled forward Landon Donovan inside the penalty area. Ekelund's shot from the spot proved to be the difference, sending a blast past second-half sub Henry Ring to give the home team the 1-0 win.

The Fire's offensive woes in the preseason continue, as the "Men in Red" have been held scoreless during their current five-game winless streak. Chicago's last goal came from DaMarcus Beasley in the 17th minute on February 22, in the Fire's 2-0 victory over the MetroStars. The "Men in Red" will look to snap its winless and scoreless streak when they travel to Portland, OR tonight to conclude the final stage of the preseason. Chicago's next match will be on Sunday, March 23 when they take on a joint Portland/Seattle A-League squad at the University of Portland at 1:00 p.m. PT (3:00 p.m. CT). The Fire kicks off its sixth MLS campaign on Sunday, April 13 against the New England Revolution at 6:00 p.m. (CT) from Cardinal Stadium at North Central College in Naperville, IL.

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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



Major League Soccer Stories from March 20, 2003


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