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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire suffers 1-0 defeat to Chivas USA in Ridgeland, Miss.

March 31, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


RIDGELAND, MS (March 31) - The Chicago Fire were edged out 1-0 by Chivas USA through a soggy contest at M&F Bank Stadium in Ridgeland, Miss. Saturday night. A goal from former Fire forward Ante Razov put the away side up 1-0 in the 29th minute and would be the game's only tally to hand the "Men in Red" a loss in its last preseason match-up.

After three hour's worth of rain left the pitch slick before kick-off, the Fire and Chivas USA both came out with fast, physical play. A great individual run through a crowd of defenders left Fire midfielder Justin Mapp with an open look on goal, but the Mississippi native's subsequent strike from 25 yards out went right into the hands of Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Just four minutes later, a long-range effort from Chivas USA midfielder Francisco Mendoza knuckled straight to Fire ‘keeper Matt Pickens.

The game's only goal of the game came in the 29th minute, as Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan received a pass 25 yards from goal and dropped a no-look back pass to Razov, whose left-footed strike from 30 yards out beat Pickens just inside the right post to give the away side a 1-0 lead. Chivas USA nearly doubled the lead four minutes later, as a headed effort from defender Claudio Suarez was nearly redirected into the net with a connecting header on frame by forward Maykel Galindo, but Pickens was there to make the stop. Despite Chivas USA going down to ten men with Kljestan leaving the field of play between the 38 and 43 minutes, Chicago could not capitalize before halftime.

The second half began with one substitution from Chivas USA, as midfielder John Thorrington came in to replace Kljestan. Physical play from both sides continued, as a hard tackle from Chivas USA defender Jason Hernandez on Fire midfielder Logan Pause in the 49th minute saw referee Michael Kennedy issue to game's first yellow card caution. Chivas midfielder Jesse Marsch upped the ante in the 67th minute with a hard sliding tackle from behind on Fire midfielder Thiago that saw the former Fire midfielder receive an instant red card ejection. Chicago took advantage of being a man up with an additional five minutes of stoppage time, pressuring Chivas USA to defend its own half, but as time winded down the 4,214 captive fans on hand would witness the "Men in Red" fall in the squad's final preseason test.

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