'Quakes Stoppage-Time Goal Levels Fire

Chicago Fire 1- Rolfe (36')
San Jose Earthquakes 1- Lenhart (90'+8)

Despite a goal from Chris Rolfe and a career-high 10 saves from Sean Johnson, the Fire were unable to keep the San Jose Earthquakes at bay as they drew 1-1.

The Fire and Earthquakes played in a high opportunity back-and-forth first half which tested both Sean Johnson and Jon Busch in front of their posts.  The 21^st minute brought a venomous volley from San Jose’s Simon Dawkins in the box which was expertly palmed away by Sean Johnson.  The Fire responded minutes later with a volley of their own from Brazilian Alex which Busch managed to push away and keep the scores level. 

Fire Trounce Red Bulls

3   Chicago Fire (Nyarko 4', Segares 68', Rolfe 80')         
1   New York Red Bulls (McCarthy 55')

Chicago Fire hosted the injury-plagued New York Red Bulls and came out on top, 3-1.  Chicago’s Patrick Nyarko opened the game’s scoring in the fourth minute thanks to a beautifully chipped ball from Sebastian Grazzini.  After the early lapse in gameplay, New York staved off Fire pressure for the remainder of the first half but were unable to answer the Ghanaian’s goal.   

The Red Bulls came out in the second half and found the back of the net in the 55^th minute off a corner kick from the boot of Mehdi Ballouchy.  His kick found the head of Dax McCarthy, which beat Sean Johnson at the far post.

Fire Fall to Revolution, Dropping Third Game in a Row

Chicago Fire 0 - 2 New England Revolution
Kelyn Rowe (69')
Benny Feilhaber (73')

The Chicago Fire were out to  find a win on the road this weekend after dropping the two previous games to Columbus Crew and Michigan Bucks, but failed to do so as New England Revolution netted two unanswered second half goals, handing Chicago their third consecutive loss.

The Revolution almost found the back of the net within the first five minutes.  After they relieved pressure in their defense, the Revolution strung together a quick counter attack that resulted in a 20 yard boot from Benny Feilhabe which sent Sean Johnson sprawling to put a finger on the rocket.  The ball fizzed past the post, however, and no harm was done.  

The Fire almost struck back in the 17^th minute off a 30 yard free kick.  Pavel Pardo laced the free kick into the box where Gonzalo Segares flicked the ball past the Revolution’s Matt Reis, but off the far post and back into play.  The Fire almost found the back of the net again in the 29^th minute when Dominic Oduro claimed a misplaced pass from Cardenas.  The Ghanaian saw Reis off his line and attempted to drop the ball in behind him, but his shot swerved off target and out of play.  

More Late Game Heroics Win Fire their Third Consecutive Win

Chicago Fire 2 - 1 Sporting Kansas City

Grazzini (pen., 61')     Convey (31')

Oduro (81')

Chicago Fire hosted conference leaders Sporting Kansas this past weekend and did not disappoint home fans—the underdog Fire handed Sporting Kansas City their third straight loss.

The first half fell mostly in Sporting’s favor.  In the 20^th minute, a miss-headed ball from Arne Friedrich fell to Kei Kamara’s feet and his effort forced a save out of a sprawling Sean Johnson.  Nine minutes later, Friedrich suffered a hamstring injury which brought in Dan Gargan.  The early change in the defense proved to trouble the Fire as Sporting’s Bobby Convey slotted home a ball to the far post.  Convey sped into the box mostly unmarked and his teammate, Espinoza, unselfishly fed him.

Espinoza almost found the back of the net himself in the 42^nd minute with a 20-yard volley, but Sean Johnson made a miraculous save and pushed the volleyed ball into the crossbar and out of play. 

Marco Pappa Steals Victory from Chivas USA

Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) 2012 Getty Images

Chicago Fire 2 - 1 Chivas USA
Berry (24')          Angel (23')
Pappa (90'+3')

This weekend, Chicago Fire visited Chivas USA after their defeat to the Sounders at Toyota Park.  Looking to get back on the right side of victory, the Fire broke out in the beginning of the first half, pressuring the Chivas USA side.  Fire almost struck home in the ninth minute when the ball found Dominic Oduro in the box.  After settling the ball, Chivas’ Dan Kennedy launched off his line to claim the Ghanaian’s ball.

It was Chivas, however, who drew first blood.  After a controversial call from referee Baldomero Toledo,  Chivas was awarded a penalty kick.  Fire rookie defender Austin Berry was seen making contact with Alejandro Moreno and the Venezuelan promptly hit the ground.  Chivas striker Juan Pablo Angel took the PK and buried the ball in the corner, sending Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson the opposite direction.  Chivas USA was up 1-0 within 25 minutes of the opening whistle.  

Fire Drop Three to Strong Sounders Side

Chicago Fire 1 - 2 Seattle Sounders
Arne Friedrich (og 39') Eddie Johnson (67')
Marco Pappa (89')

Chicago Fire (2-1-2)were looking to continue their best five-game-opening sequence in franchise history as they hosted the powerhouse, Seattle Sounders (3-1-1). Fire almost drew first blood in the 22nd minute when Mikulic Paladini was left unmarked in the 18 yard box; his shot, however ricocheted off a Sounder defender and out into touch. The Fire dominated set pieces in the first half, but were unable to net any chances.

Rain Drowns Out Fire / Dynamo Clash

(Chicago Fire Photo/Brian Kersey) 2012 Brian Kersey / Chicago

Chicago Fire 1 – 1 Houston Dynamo
Logan Pause(27') Will Bruin (24')

Rainfall in Chicago forced the Chicago Fire’s match against Houston Dynamo to be called in the 66th minute. Both teams walked away drenched, but with one point apiece towards their 2012 MLS endeavors. The Fire began the game with all pistons firing; Dominic Oduro unleashed the Fire’s first attempt on goal only two minutes into game play. Houston Dynamo’s Tally Hall kept the shot out of his net with his strong handed save.

The teams battled until the 13th minute when officials decided to suspend play. After a 70-minute delay, Houston Dynamo strung together a set of passes which made the Fire defenders lose their marks. Brian Ching saw Will Bruin running through the Fire defense unmarked and snuck a through ball to his feet. Sean Johnson, who was making his first 2012 MLS appearance, failed to put a hand on the shot as it whizzed past his tumbling effort.

Fire Drop Three in Colorado

Photo by Marc Piscotty/Getty Images North America

Chicago Fire were held scoreless for the first time in the MLS 2012 season as Colorado Rapids netted two second half goals from the likes of Kamani Hill and Omar Cummings. Fresh off a strong win from last week, Fire had coach Frank Klopas switched around the starting XI, putting Logan Pause in place of the injured Dan Gargan and giving Rafael Robayo his first playing minutes in this fresh season.

The Fire appeared to be on the verge of scoring in the 38th minute when Marco Pappa found Dominic Oduro in open space. Oduro drilled a low effort towards goal, but Rapids’ Matt Pickens kept the Ghanaian’s shot away.

Chicago Fire Open Up Their Home Front with Victory

 Chicago-fire.com

Last week, the Chicago Fire welcomed the newly conceived Montreal Impact to the MLS in style, coming out with a 1-1 draw.  Tonight, the Chicago Fire opened up their home front to the challenge of a struggling Philadelphia Union, who have yet to see a positive result in two games. 

Six minutes into the game, Chicago Fire had their first chance at goal when Marco Papa drew a foul near the top of the 18 yard box.  Pável Pardo lined up a beautifully curved free kick to the back post, missing just wide. Philadelphia Union’s goal keeper, Zac MacMath, has proven to panic under pressure, so the Fire were sure to keep the pressure on.

Fire sign Colombian Midfielder Rafael Robayo

This Monday, the Chicago Fire announced the signing of Colombian midfielder Rafael Robayo from Club Deportivo Los Millionarios.  The 27-year-old earned his first cap for the Colombian Men’s National Team during a 2-0 win at Venezuela and thus will be proudly added to the Fire’s roster as an international. 

Fire head coach Frank Koplas is excited to have Robayo on the Fire squad for this upcoming 2012 campaign.  He said, “…Robayo has an excellent work rate, good defensive energy and will provide support on both sides of the ball… Rafael is a sizeable player who can get in and create around the box.”  The Colombian midfielder will join the Men in Red for preseason camp in January. 

Chicago Fire Announce Winner of Open Tryout

Photo:Chicago-fire.com

This past December, the Chicago Fire held their annual Open Tryouts.  Out of the 160 Fire-hopefuls who vied for a spot on the roster, Peruvian-born Fabrizio Pittaluga made the cut.  This 22 year old Miami, Florida based midfielder travelled over 1,300 miles for the Fire’s tryouts and will join them January 20 for preseason training camp.

Chicago Fire Playoff Rundown

Photo: chicago-fire.com

How ‘bout ‘dem Fire?  Despite a glorious win in RFK Stadium, the Fire’s playoff dreams hang with their success and the failures of other strong MLS squads. Currently, four teams are vying for one lone spot in the 2011 MLS Playoffs (New York Red Bulls, Portland Timbers, Chicago Fire, and D.C. United) Here’s the rundown for Chicago:

Chicago Fire clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs if:

-       they defeat Columbus Crew AND

-       Portland Timbers fail to win their two games AND

-       D.C. United tie or lose to EITHER Portland Timbers or Sporting Kansas City

-       New York Red Bulls lose to Philadelphia Union AND

-       Chicago overcome a goal difference with New York of 5 goals

This sounds like a lot, but after a victory like this, they feel like they can do just about anything right now.  Here’s to hoping Henry chokes. 

By: Matt Sinacore

Chicago Fire: Staying Alive

Photo by: chicago-fire.com

The Chicago Fire were in a must-win situation this past weekend against D.C. United. Late into the match, Fire defender Gonzalo Segares hooked a leg around D.C. United’s Sergio Aguero in the box and the whistle sounded.  After a hard fought game failing to yield a goal on either side, the Chicago Fire gave a penalty kick to MLS leading goal scorer, Dwayne De Rosario.  The United midfielder confidently buried the ball into the net, putting D.C. up 1-0 with only stoppage time left.   

Desperate for a goal, the Fire drove up the pitch into United territory.  A cross from Patrick Nyarko found Gonzalo Segares who in turn shuffled the ball to a waiting Sebastián Grazzini at the top of the box.  He slotted the ball into the goal, leaving the keeper frozen on his feet.  The Fire were not satisfied, however, with a 1-1 draw. 

In the final minute of stoppage time, Segares received a lobbed through ball from teammate Orr Barouch and slid the ball across the mouth of the goal where Diego Chaves nailed the final goal of the game into the net.  The Fire had won in dramatic fashion, 2-1 on United turf. 

By: Matt Sinacore