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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Fire Weekly Notes for June 29

June 29, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


FIRE TO BEGIN 2009 LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP PLAY THIS TUESDAY - FOLLOW THE MATCH ON FIRE TWITTER

The Chicago Fire will kickoff 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30, with a third round game against the Wilmington Hammerheads at Legion Stadium in Wilmington, North Carolina. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT and while the game will not be broadcast, Fire fans can follow the action on the official Chicago Fire blog, EN FUEGO. The Fire will also be providing fans with updates on Twitter. To follow the Fire on Twitter, CLICK HERE. The Wilmington Hammerheads advanced to the third round of play with a win over the Carolina Railhawks on Tuesday. The two teams played to a 3-3 tie before the Hammerheads advanced on penalty kicks, 4-3.

If the Fire defeat the Wilmington Hammerheads, the team will play the winner of the Rochester Rhinos (USL1) versus the Columbus Crew (MLS) match, also to be played on June 30. If Rochester advances, the Fire would play their quarterfinal match at Rochester Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, New York (6 p.m. CT), however if the Crew advance, the Fire will host the quarterfinal match at Bradley University's Shea Stadium in Peoria, Illinois (7:30 p.m. CT).

The Fire enters 2009 as the undisputed kings of the modern era of the tournament, having hoisted the coveted Dewar Trophy four times - 1998, 2000, 2003 & 2006 - in just 11 years of play.

MLS LEAGUE PLAY CONTINUES THIS SATURDAY AS FIRE TRAVEL TO COLORADO

After a two week hiatus from league play, the Fire return to MLS action this Saturday, July 4th against the Colorado Rapids on the road at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. Kickoff for the match is set of 8 p.m. CT and the match is available through the MLS Direct Kick broadcast package.

Chicago has been on fire on the road this season in league play, posting a 4-1-3 record in eight games played. The Fire's composure on the road will be tested this weekend as the team travels to historically their most challenging market in MLS. The Fire will look to pick up three road points this weekend in Colorado, a feat the team has only accomplished two times since the team's inception in 1998. The Fire has not recorded a win in the Mile High city since 1999 for an all-time road record of 2-8-4 against the Rapids.

After posting the longest undefeated streak to start a season in team history (11 games), the team hit a dry spell in June - recording three consecutive losses on May 31 versus FC Dallas, June 5 versus Houston, and June 13 at D.C. United. The losses were the first for the Fire in 2009 who have an overall record of 5-3-6 in 2009 league play.

Before their three game slide, the Fire had an impressive goal differential of +7, outscoring their opponents 20 to 13. Through the last three league matches the Fire's goal differential fell to a +2 after conceding 6 goals in three matches and scoring just one (against D.C. United on June 13).

The last time the Fire posted three consecutive losses was in 2008: 6/7/08 versus D.C., 6/15/08 at Dallas, and 6/19/2008 at Chivas USA. The team has not posted four consecutive losses since 2007 (5/6 at New England, 5/12 at Toronto, 5/17 vs. Dallas, and 5/24 at New York). The Fire ended both losing streaks with ties.

The only season in which the Fire fell in five consecutive league matches was 1998 when the team won both the 1998 MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup championships. The team dropped five consecutive matches twice that season, 4/8 - 5/2/98 and 7/9 to 8/8/98.

The only teams in MLS that have dropped four consecutive contests this season are New York (5 consecutive) and San Jose (5 consecutive).

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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.

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