MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Look to Tame Western Conference Foe Houston Dynamo

Published on April 19, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire (1-2-1, 4 points) welcome two-time MLS Cup Champions and perennial Western Conference power Houston Dynamo (2-1-1, 7 points) to TOYOTA PARK on Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 PM live on Comcast SportsNet Chicago. The Fire, coming off of a 2-0 road victory against D.C. United, play their second home match of the season as the "Men in Red" combat the "Men in Orange".

The Fire will be looking to break the streak against the Houston side, having never defeated the Dynamo at TOYOTA PARK, going 0-3-1 in four matches at home since the teams first met in 2006. The Dynamo enter Saturday's tilt with the Fire after defeating Chivas USA 3-0 over the weekend on goals from Geoff Cameron, Lovel Palmer and Dominic Oduro.

The Fire are 2-5-1 in eight meetings since 2006. Houston has never lost at TOYOTA PARK, going 3-0-1 at the Fire's soccer-specific stomping grounds.

The Fire played the Dynamo to a 1-1 draw in their final preseason friendly in Houston. Marco Pappa's 71st minute strike leveled the game after Cam Weaver put the Dynamo ahead in the 63rd minute.

Saturday's match features a battle of veteran age and guile as Brian McBride, Major League Soccer's oldest field player (37-years-old) faces off against the league's oldest overall player, Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad (42-years-old).

In 2009 the Fire were defeated twice by the Dynamo. A Stuart Holden goal in the fourth minute doomed the Fire 1-0 at TOYOTA PARK on June 5. In the away leg, Houston escaped again with a one-goal advantage, defeating the Fire 3-2 on a late game penalty kick from Holden to sweep the season series on August 9.

Brian McBride's goal and assist against D.C. United over the weekend pushed the Fire forward over the 200 point mark on his career. McBride reached 200 career points on his 50th assist, a back heel pass to Marco Pappa on Saturday against D.C. The Arlington Heights product moved his all-time total to 202 points with his 76th career goal, an 89th minute header that sealed the Fire's victory over United 2-0.

Check out the Chicago Fire FC Statistics

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



Major League Soccer Stories from April 19, 2010


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