MLS Chicago Fire FC

Thornton, Spiteri Combine for Third Clean Sheet in Six Spring Training Contest

Published on March 5, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Wednesday, March 5, 2003) - The Chicago Fire and D.C. United dueled to a 0-0 draw earlier this afternoon in a preseason contest at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. Three days after allowing a late goal that would lead to defeat against Dallas, goalkeeper Curtis Spiteri fought off the United attack for the last third of the match to earn a combined shut out with starting 'keeper Zach Thornton. Today's result moves the Fire's preseason record to 2-3-1.

Fire head coach Dave Sarachan was pleased with the overall performance of his squad, noting that the Fire were able to put together a solid effort while trying to accomplish the club's ultimate goal for the spring- coming together as a team.

"Overall I thought it was a pretty good game and a good 90 minutes," said Sarachan. "We created some chances and we missed them, but for the most part we've been very pleased with the progress we've been making. We were able to give some minutes to some players we're looking closely at."

The two Eastern Conference rivals took some time to feel each other out in the beginning, with neither team creating quality chances in the first ten minutes. The flow of the match picked up soon afterwards, and it was the Fire that would control the better of the attacking play in the first stanza. Chicago's DaMarcus Beasley created the game's first dangerous chance in the 12th minute after getting past his U.S. National Team midfield mate Ben Olsen on the left flank. The speedy midfielder worked inside the box and fired a rocket that sailed wide right. Fire rookie forward Damani Ralph had another attempt thwarted by United goalkeeper Doug Warren just three minutes later, and Fire midfielder Andy Williams, who is in the Chicago camp as a trialist, would be denied from 12 yards out in the 19th minute after making a run into the area from the midfield.

Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton was called into action in the 29th minute, and the MLS career wins leader delivered. United forward Earnie Stewart ran onto a through ball that created a one-on-one against Thornton, who was equal to the task by making a spectacular save on Stewart's blast from the top of the penalty box. Minutes the Fire's top pick in January's MLS SuperDraft, Nate Jaqua, threatened the United backfield as he twice found himself with chances to score from 10 yards out. However, Warren stopped Jaqua's shot in the 32nd minute and the forward's attempt one minute later flew just left of the target. Thornton would come up big again four minutes from the half, as the Chicago netminder was forced to make another save, this one against former teammate Hristo Stoitchkov.

The second half would start much the same as the first half did, with the first decent chance created by Chicago twelve minutes in. Ralph once again created an opportunity near the left flank, but Warren was in proper position to make the save. The run of play in the second half evened out, but it would also produce fewer opportunities as both coaches juggled their line-ups to get a better look at their talent in a competitive situation.

"Both teams played well and it was a good competition," said Jaqua. "It was a real physical game. "I think we're playing better everyday, but we still have a ways to go."

Chicago will return to its regular two-a-day practice schedule for the next two days at FAU. The Fire's next preseason contest will be against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening at the Orange Bowl in Miami at 6:00 p.m. CT.

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