MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Make Club History Going Undefeated Through First Five Matches

Published on April 20, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


The Chicago Fire (2-0-3, 9 pts.) tied the Kansas City Wizards (2-2-1, 7 pts.) 2-2 last Saturday to bring their undefeated streak five games to start the season. The 2009 Fire have set a new club record as the team has never before started the season undefeated through five games. The Fire currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the New England Revolution and six points ahead of this week's opponent, the 2008 MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew (0-2-3, 3 pts.). The Fire also lead the league in scoring with 10 goals through their first five contests. The Fire will train at TOYOTA PARK this week before traveling to Columbus, Ohio for their match against the Crew on Saturday, April 25 (Fox Soccer Channel/Fox Sports en Español, 6 p.m. CT).

CHICAGO FIRE vs. COLUMBUS CREW

The Fire will face Columbus on Saturday for the 38th time in MLS league play. Chicago holds an all-time regular season record of 17-10-10 against the Crew including a record of 8-5-5 on the road in Columbus. The Fire also have a slight edge in goal scoring, tallying 58 goals to the Crews 57 across MLS regular season competitions.

Last season the teams met twice in the regular season, posting 2-2 ties in both matches (July 5, 2008 at Crew Stadium and Oct. 12, 2008 at TOYOTA PARK). Forwards Chris Rolfe and Calen Carr supplied the Fire's goals in the first match up while former Crew member and current Fire forward Brian McBride tallied both goals for the Fire in the second meeting. It was McBride's first game against his former club.

The Fire and Crew also met in the Eastern Conference Finals last season during the MLS Cup playoffs. McBride again scored against the Crew, but the Fire were ultimately defeated 2-1 with Crew goals from Chad Marshall and 2008 MLS Most Value Player honoree Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

THE FIRE LEAD THE LEAGUE IN...

-Goal Scoring (10)

-Assists (9)

-Shots on Goal (36)

-Fouls Suffered (76)

-Three Goal Games (2 games -3/21 @ DAL, 4/11 @ SJ)

-Goals per Game average (2.00)

-Assists per Game (1.90)

-Points on the Road (5 pts. - Tied with New England)

FIRST FIVE GAMES UNBEATEN - FIRST TIME IN TEAM HISTORY

In 2008 the Fire boasted the best start in team history as the club posted a 6-3-1 (19 pts.) through 10 games played, the previous best 10-game start was the 1999 team's 6-4-0 (18 pts.) mark. The Fire set a different kind of best start record last Saturday. With the 2-2 tie against Kansas City, the Fire remain undefeated through the first five games of the season for the first time in team history. The Fire will look to make that six games unbeaten Saturday night against the Columbus Crew.

McBRIDE ATOP THE GOLDEN BOOT CHARTS

Brian McBride sits tied for first in the MLS Golden Boot standings (Conor Casey, COL/Kenny Cooper, DAL) with four goals scored through five matches. McBride added two tallies last Saturday night, scoring both of the Fire's goals against the Kansas City Wizards in the 2-2 tie.

MCBRIDE NOMINATED FOR GOAL OF THE WEEK... AGAIN

After earning Major League Soccer (MLS) Goal of the Week honors last week (MLS Week 4), Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride is again among the nominees for the award this week. In the 20th minute, Cuauhtémoc Blanco sent a free kick from the right of the field into the box for McBride positioned 15-yards off the left post. McBride headed the ball back across the goal, placing his shot just inside the right post. McBride and Blanco connected for last week's MLS Goal of the Week as well; Blanco headed a pass to McBride who controlled the ball with his left foot and finished on a shot with his right.

FIRE TO FACE CLUB AMERICA NEXT WEEK AT TOYOTA PARK

The Chicago Fire and Club America of the Mexican Primera Division will face off at TOYOTA PARK next week on Wednesday, April 29 as part of a home and home series for the two clubs. Details about the Fire's away match against Club America at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will be announced at a later date. Individual tickets are available starting at $26 through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, at the TOYOTA PARK Box Office, by calling 888-MLS-FIRE, or by visiting www.chicago-fire.com. The exhibition is included in Chicago Fire season ticket packages and Ten Game Plans.

THE 2009 NOTHING BUT NETS CHALLENGE ENDS THIS WEEK!

Chicago Fire Soccer is one of four MLS teams in a fundraising challenge to benefit the Nothing But Nets campaign. The Fire, D.C. United, the Los Angeles Galaxy, and Seattle Sounders FC will each collect donations to see which club can raise the most funds for Nothing But Nets during a month-long Major League Soccer initiative that culminates on World Malaria Day on April 25. The team that raises the most money will randomly select one donating fan to win a trip for two to the 2009 MLS All-Star Game in Salt Lake City in July. Fans can contribute to the cause by visiting www.mynothingbutnets.net/chicagofire, or clicking on the NOTHING BUT NETS TEAM CHALLENGE button on the team's official website, www.chicago-fire.com.

PHISH SUMMER TOUR STOPS AT TOYOTA PARK

On their first summer tour in five years, Phish has announced a concert date at TOYOTA PARK on Tuesday, August 11th. Tickets are on sale now. Reserved and general admission tickets are priced at just $49.50 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets including the TOYOTA PARK ticket offices, Ticketmaster.com and by calling (800) 745-3000.

BUFFETT RETURNS TO TOYOTA PARK

After the success of last summer's two TOYOTA PARK concerts, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band will return to the stadium again this summer for two more unforgettable concert experiences as part of the "Summerzcool" Tour 2009. The concert dates are set for Saturday, Aug. 8 and Saturday Aug. 15. The seating setup at the stadium will be similar to last year's concerts, as all seats will be reserved both on the field and in the stadium bowl. Tickets are on sale now through all Ticketmaster outlets including the TOYOTA PARK box office, Tickemaster.com, and by calling (800) 745-3000. For more information visit www.toyotapark.com.

BLANCO'S 'DIRECTO AL BLANCO' RADIO PROGRAM TUESDAY

"Directo al Blanco" a full-hour live radio program hosted by Fire midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco will air this and every Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. CT. Listeners are encouraged to call and talk to Blanco about the latest soccer-related news regarding the Chicago Fire, Major League Soccer, and the Mexican Primera Division. The show airs nationally on RadioCadena stations in Chicago (WRTO-AM), Las Vegas (KLSQ-AM), Los Angeles (KTNQ-AM), San Francisco (KLOK-AM), El Paso (KAMA-AM), San Antonio(KCOR-AM), Dallas (KFLC-AM), McAllen (KGBT-AM), Houston (KLAT-AM), New York (WADO-AM), and Miami (WQBA-AM).

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 20, 2009


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