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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire to Face Dynamo Tomorrow at Toyota Park

June 4, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (June 4, 2009) - The Chicago Fire (5-1-6, 21 pts.) will play their second consecutive match at TOYOTA PARK as the team takes on the Houston Dynamo (5-2-3, 18 pts.) tomorrow, Friday, June 5 at 8 p.m. CT. Last Sunday, the Fire suffered their first defeat of the season, falling 3-0 to FC Dallas, a loss that ended the team's club record 11-game unbeaten streak to start the season. With 21 points through the first 12 matches, the Fire are in first place in the Eastern Conference, five points ahead of three teams: D.C. United, the Kansas City Wizards, and Toronto FC. The Fire's loss to Dallas not only ended their unbeaten streak, but they were also halted after a three game-winning steak through their last three road games. The team caught fire during their three game road swing that included wins against Toronto FC (2-0 win on May 16), New York Red Bulls (1-0 on May 24), and Chivas USA (3-2 on May 31) tying the 2009 league record for consecutive wins.

Although conceding 16 goals in 2009, Chicago is seeing success in the attack as the team is leading the league with 20 goals scored for an Eastern Conference best +4 goal differential. Last Sunday's match against FC Dallas was the first time the Fire had been shutout in 17 regular season games, dating back to Sept. 14, 2008 at Colorado. The game marked just the second time in 2009 that designated player Cuauhtémoc Blanco did not hit the field for the Fire, as the Mexican International reported to his national team last Friday after scoring two penalty kick goals in Thursday's win over Chivas USA. Blanco will miss this Friday's match against Houston as well. The Fire will have to play without the services of two more internationals this week as defenders Gonzalo Segares (Costa Rica) and Bakary Soumare (Mali) reported to their respective national teams following the match against Dallas.

The match will be the 11th game of the season for the Houston Dynamo (5-2-3, 18 pts.) who sit in second place in the Western Conference standings, just behind Chivas USA. The Fire are looking to defeat the Dynamo for the first time ever in Chicago as the team has a 0-1-2 record against Houston when playing at TOYOTA PARK. The Fire has an overall regular season record of 2-3-1 against Houston having scored six goals to Houston's 10. Six different players have scored the Fire goals through the three years of competition; however, Blanco has provided two assists against Houston. Last season, Brian McBride scored his first-ever goal as a Fire player against Houston on August 31 in the Fire's 2-1 loss. The Fire have lost their last three matches against Houston, with the team's last win coming on April 29, 2007 on the road at Robertson Stadium.

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