Chicago Fire - Heating up the MLS

[eevo614]

June 8, 2008

Fire Send Frankowski to Hull City

The Fire will be without Tomasz Frankowski as he was sold to Hull City for a reported $172,000. The Polish veteran striker was seeing little playing time with the fire and had expressed interest in a move.

"It's sad to see Tomasz go, he was a good teammate. But its a good move for him, hopefully he'll do well at Hull." Commented Fire's Justin Mapp.

The sale of Frankowski is the first trasnfer of the season for the Fire. It is unknown if any other moves are in the works or not.

Tomasz Frankowski

[eevo614]

June 11, 2008

Fire Come Out on Top in Physical Game at Chivas USA

There would be plenty of action yesterday evening between the Chicago Fire and Chivas USA. There would be 3 goals along with 3 ejections throughout the hard fought match.

Brian McBride would continue being on top form with another 2 goals added. He scored both goals early in the 16th and 25th minute. The Fire enjoyed a 2 goal lead for only 3 minutes when Chivas' Sacha Kljestan sent in a perfect ball to Atiba Harris to cut the lead to 2-1.

The first half was full of goals with a 2-1 score, the second half however would be full of bookings. In the 66th minute, Raphael Wicky of Chivas, would be the first to be ejected on his 2nd booking. In the 75th minute Paulo Nagamura would be the 2nd Chivas player ejected after a hard tackle on Brian McBride. The game continued its hard play with Chivas looking to even the game and the Fire looking to hold on to the lead. In the 83rd minute Wilman Conde would be ejected on a silly late tackle. Despite losing one of their top defenders, and because they had a man advantage the Fire would hold onto their 2-1 lead.

"It was a hard fought match between two good teams. They got a little carried away with themselves in the 2nd half, but they still got the job done. Conde can't make that tackle late in the game. The ref has already given out the red, so he has to be more careful." Said Denis Hamlett after the game.

The Fire's next game is the start of a 7 game home trip. They will play June 13th against D.C. United.

Match Facts


2 -------------Goals------------ 1
9 --------------Shots----------- 11
4 -----------Shots OT---------- 6
52% -------Possession------- 48%
1 ------------Yellows----------- 3
1 ---------------Reds------------- 2
44% ------Shot Accuracy----- 54%
79% --------Passing %--------- 79%

[eevo614]

June 14, 2008

Fire Fall at Home to D.C. United

For only the 2nd time this season the Chicago Fire lost at Toyota Park. They would not be able to answer to an early goal by D.C. and fell 1-0. They retain their 2nd position in the standings at 8-1-4 (W-D-L), but have fallen 6 points behind the leader, Columbus Crew (10-1-2).

The first and only goal of the game came early in the 8th minute. Luciano Emilio was able to slip by defender Bakary Soumare and put the ball in the back of the net. The rest of the half would see no more goals, but plenty of shots from the D.C. United squad. They out shot the Fire 12-5 in the 1st half.

In the 2nd half the Fire were able to regain possession of the ball for the majority of the half. They however were unable to create any real scoring chances and even test keeper Louis Crayton. The Fire fans would go home disappointed in a 1-0 loss.

"It's not the way you want to start a home trip, we just couldn't get anything going. We'll put this game behind us, and move on to the next." commented captain Brian McBride after the game.

Match Facts


0 ------------Goals----------- 1
11 ------------Shots----------- 19
5 ----------Shots OT---------- 9
53% ------Possession------ 47%
2 -----------Yellows----------- 2
0 -------------Reds------------- 0
45% ----Shot Accuracy----- 47%
79% --------Passing %------- 82%

[CFC | Koop]

woah dude fantastic updates, sorry no one commented, it was like that for me when i was just starting.

Continue through the hard times and u will get a truck-load of followers.

KUTGW!

[eevo614]

June 18, 2008

Fire Lose Game Late to FC Dallas

For 89 minutes it seemed as if the Chicago Fire and FC Dallas would play to a draw as neither team was able to find the back of the net. But a late surge from the visiting Dallas would steal away a victory in the game's closing moments. Dallas' Dax McCarthy scored the game winning goal in the 90th minute. Then an open net goal in stoppage time would seal the victory at 2-0.

The game started with Dallas pressuring right off the bat on the Fire defense. They were able to get several shots off early and ended up getting 10 shots in the first half compared to Chicago's 3. Nothing however would go in and they would go into the half scoreless.

In the 2nd half the pace slowed as neither offense was able to break the other's defense. The Chicago defense was able to hold off Dallas for 89 minutes, but in the 90th minute Dax McCarthy would weave between defenders in the box giving him an easy shot to beat Jon Busch to put Dallas up 1-0. In stoppage time it looked as if Chicago might be able to steal the game back to a draw as they had a couple of chances coming after the kickoff. Chicago was awarded a corner, and being in stoppage time, Jon Busch would leave net to play in the box. The corner was knocked out to Bruno Guara who ran with the ball until about the halfway line, then sent in the impressive long shot for the clinching goal which gave Dallas the 2-0 victory.

The Fire's next game is June 20th, at home against NE Revolution.

Match Facts


0 --------------Goals------------ 2
5 --------------Shots------------ 15
4 -----------Shots OT----------10
51% --------Possession------- 49%
3 -------------Yellows----------- 2
0 ---------------Reds-------------- 0
80% ----Shot Accuracy---- 66%
79%---------Passing %------ 77%

[timbers]

Nice Thread. Unlucky result though

[eevo614]

June 21, 2008

Substitutes Saves Fire From Third Straight Loss

The Chicago Fire offense hasn't been on top form in the recent games. They were on the verge of being shutout for the third straight game late against NE Revolution. The Fire were down 1-0 before substitute Andy Herron would score his first goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 in the 81st minute. The game would finish at that score resulting in a draw.

The first half saw no goals, but did not lack in scoring chances. For the Fire in the 18th minute Marco Pappa sent in a ball to Chris Rolfe who got a shot on net, but was stopped by keeper Matt Reis. The Revolution would also have their chances as they had 2 headers just miss the target from Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston in the first half.

The game's first goal came in the 72nd minute for the Revolution. Bakary Soumare was trying to clear a ball from out of the box, but his clearance was blocked by Steve Ralston. The ball then went right to Kheli Dube who knocked it in past Jon Busch. Shortly thereafter Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Brian McBride were subbed out because of fatigue. Missing two of their stars, the Fire were still able to level the game thanks to their substitutes Patrick Nyarko and Andy Herron. Nyarko sent in a ball to Herron in the 81st minute and Herron would save the game for the Fire. Herron has played most of the season in the reserves, but with injury to Lider Marmol he was brought up to the first team.

"I'm so happy to make an impact and help this team. What a time to score the first goal of the year." said Herron after the match.

The Fire have not faired well on their current 7 game home stretch. For the first 3 games they have gone 0-1-2 (W-D-L) scoring just 1 goal.

The Fire's next game is June 24th, at home against Chivas USA.

Andy Herron celebrates his late goal


Match Facts

1 ------------Goals----------- 1
6 ------------Shots---------- 11
4 ---------Shots OT--------- 7
50% -----Possession------ 50%
0 ----------Yellows---------- 0
0 -------------Reds------------ 0
66% ----Shot Accuracy--- 83%
80% -------Passing %------ 78%

Note: Standings/Stats Updated on 1st page (click)

[VUSA92BLUE]

I have been reading. keep up the good work.

[Davee1]

Unlucky with the last couple of results, hope you can get back on form soon.
and good updates mate

[BraveTyger]

Glad to see you've kept this going, eevo. I like the simple style of your match reports (although is there any way you could make the final score more clear?).

Looks like you've got a fight on your hands for the title. Not enough goals from Rolfe I reckon - send on Sparky!

[Davee1]

yeaa, you should do a final result at the bottom of the report, will make it clearer

[eevo614]

thanks for the nice comments guys.

and yeah i was thinking about that final score thing earlier, I def need to do something to make it more apparent. I should have a report or two coming tonight so I'll start it then, as long as I dont forget

[Davee1]

Cant wait

Guess you forgott but

[eevo614]

Chicago Fire | 3 - 0 | Chivas USA
C. Rolfe 24'
C. Rolfe 37'
B. McBride 52'

June 25, 2008

Fire Offense Rekindles Against Chivas USA

Coming into the match the Chicago Fire had only scored 1 goal in their previous 3 games, resulting in no wins for the team. Against Chivas, the Fire would regain form as they won in dominating fashion 3-0. Chris Rolfe would account for 2 goals and 1 assist in the match, as he scored a goal for the first time since 6 games ago against San Jose.

Rolfe's 2 goals both came in the 1st half of play. His first came in the 24th minute as he was able to find space in the box and beat a charging Zach Thornton. In the 37th Cuauhtemoc Blanco sent in a long through ball in which Rolfe simply out ran the defenders to get on the break, again beating Thornton. In the 45th minute Chivas would take another blow as Paulo Nagamura would be sent off on a tackle on Blanco. The last time these two teams met up in Carson, there were 3 red cards with Nagamura getting one on a hard tackle on McBride. The Fire would not respond with any hard fouls of their own as they didn't even recieve a yellow in the game. The Fire would dominate possession and scoring chances in the half, as they went into the locker rooms up 2-0.

In the second half Rolfe again would be involved in another scoring chance. This time he was on the giving end on a pass to Brian McBride who would knock in his 8th goal on the season. Chivas USA again struggled to create any scoring chances in the second half, never really testing Jon Busch. It was apparent that the Chivas players were not as well conditioned for the match as the Fire were, and at this point in the season, conditioning proves to be vital.

The Fire's next game is June 27th, at home against the Kansas City Wizards (3-6-7).

Match Facts

3 ------------Goals----------- 0
13 -----------Shots------------ 7
7 ---------Shots OT--------- 3
53% ------Possession------ 47%
0 ----------Yellows--------- 1
0 ------------Reds----------- 1
53% ---Shot Accuracy--- 42%
78% ------Passing %------- 72%

[eevo614]

i didn't forget

i'm going to put it at the top with chicago fire in red and the opponent in blue. Along with Fire goal scores marked in red and the opponent's goal scorers marked in blue.

now i'm going to watch the real Fire take on SJ, and i'll probably play another MM game after the Fire game. After watching the Fire I always wanna play some FIFA.

[eevo614]

Chicago Fire | 2 - 1 | KC Wizards
J. Wolff 58'
P. Nyarko 71'
B. McBride 89'

June 28, 2008

McBride's Header Wins it Late for Chicago

For most of the game it was the Fire outplaying the Wizards. It looked only a matter of time before Chicago would score and take the victory. The Wizards shocked the Fire fans when they went up 1-0 early in the 2nd half on a Josh Wolff header. It was in the 58th minute on a cross from Davy Arnaud to Wolff.

The fire would keep the pressure on constantly testing the KC keeper, Kevin Hartman. Finally in the 71st minute Patrick Nyarko who was starting in McBride's place got the equalizing goal on a header from a John Thorrington cross. The goal would be Nyarko's second of the season.

"Patrick had a great game, he was all over the field today making plays. He had a few great passes that almost assisted goals, and then when that cross came in he did well to knock it in." commented Chicago manager Denis Hamlett on Nyarko's play.

Brian McBride didn't start the game due to fatigue, but he would make his appearance late coming in as a substitute for Chris Rolfe who struggled on the day. It would prove to be an important substitution as McBride would score the game winning goal in the 89th minute. The goal came on a header from a Logan Pause cross, as each goal scored in the game was a headed goal. The goal ignited the Fire fan's as they watched their hero knock in the game winner late on what McBride does best, heading the ball.

The win is the Fire's 10th of the season in the 17 games played. The only other team with 10 wins is Columbus Crew (13) who the Fire will face July 1st at home.

Match Facts


2 -------------Goals----------- 1
14 ------------Shots----------- 6
7 ----------Shots OT-------- 5
55% -----Possession----- 45%
0 ----------Yellows---------- 2
0 -------------Reds------------ 0
50% ---Shot Accuracy-- 83%
81% ------Passing %----- 68%

[timbers]

Nice win

[Ben100792]

Really nice thread so far, and it's good that you've kept going even if you're not getting the comments you deserve. Keep up the good work

[Liverpöol]

nice work mate and treat The Fire well, my uncle played for their old team - THE STING.

[eevo614]

Originally Posted by Ben100792

Really nice thread so far, and it's good that you've kept going even if you're not getting the comments you deserve. Keep up the good work

well thanks, its okay if i dont get 4 million comments i'm just doing this MM cause i like doing this sort of stuff.

Originally Posted by Liverpöol

nice work mate and treat The Fire well, my uncle played for their old team - THE STING.

thats awesome!



report against columbus coming shortly

[Liverpöol]

But I'm an Aussie, not a yankee

and he was a pom


YIKES it's the Allied Forces

[Ben100792]

Originally Posted by Liverpöol

But I'm an Aussie, not a yankee

and he was a pom


YIKES it's the Allied Forces

You're forgetting the Russians

[eevo614]

Chicago Fire | 2 - 4 | Columbus Crew
A. Moreno 19'
G. Barros Schelotto 31'
C. Blanco 42'
B. McBride 50'
A. Moreno 55'
G. Barros Schelotto 64'

July 2, 2008

Crew Win in Shootout in Chicago

Yesterday's matchup saw the top two teams of the MLS face off. The Columbus Crew who are atop the standings would further their impressive lead over the Fire in a 4-2 win at Toyota Park.

Immediately the game started with several scoring chances. In just the 4th minute Emmanuel Ekpo sent in a cross to Alejandro Moreno whose header hit off the bar. Moreno would not be denied again in the 19th minute when he scored off a rebound of a Brad Evans shot. Just 12 minutes later Moreno would this time assist on a goal to Guillermo Barros Schelotto with a pass in the box. The Fire defense had a huge gap in the middle of their defensive line that Schelotto was able to take advantage of. It looked bad for the Fire early on as they were trailing the best team in the MLS by 2 goals early. Cuauhtemoc Blanco would answer in the 42nd thanks to a patient Brian McBride pass. McBride had space on the right side of the box and he patiently waited for the streaking Blanco. He then sent in the pass to the center and Blanco simply put it on net to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Fire went into the half losing, but they did have the momentum from the late 1st half goal. It showed early in the 2nd half when McBride was able to level the game at 2-2 in the 50th minute. A through ball was sent to McBride but it was tracked down by Crew defender Andy Iro. Iro though didn't realize how close McBride was behind him and McBride was able to get a clean tackle on the ball gaining possession with only the keeper to beat. McBride drilled it lower left of the keeper for the equalizer at 2-2.

The comeback of the Fire would not last long, as the Crew were able to regain the lead just 5 minutes later on a Moreno header. Then just 9 minutes after that in the 64th minute the Crew regained their previous 2 goal lead thanks to Schelotto. The final 25 minutes still saw both teams pressuring for goals, but no more would be had, and the Crew would win the shootout 4-2.

The Fire's next game is July 4th, at home against Real Salt Lake (7-4-6)

Match Facts


2 ------------Goals----------- 4
10 ------------Shots---------- 16
6 ----------Shots OT-------- 9
49% ------Possession----- 51%
0 ----------Yellows---------- 0
0 -------------Reds------------ 0
60% ---Shot Accuracy--- 56%
73% ------Passing %------ 83%

[eevo614]

Chicago Fire | 1 - 0 | Real Salt Lake
C. Rolfe 18'

July 5, 2008

Fire Fans Go Home Happy with Win and Fireworks

The Fire would not disappoint their fans on the nation's independence day with a win over Real Salt Lake. The game marked the end of a 7 game home trip in which the fire went 3-1-3 (W-D-L).

The Fire for most of the game dominated the possession despite giving up more shots to Real Salt Lake. Real Salt Lake outshot the Fire 16-11 with only 39% possession, the lowest the Fire have held an opponent this season. The game's only goal came early when Brian McBride found Chris Rolfe open in the box. Rolfe knocked it in, in the 18th minute for his 8th goal of the season.

"It was a good win today against a good Salt Lake team. We didn't play our best soccer during our home trip and thats unfortunate, cause it just puts that much more pressure on us when we have to go on road trips." said Fire manager Denis Hamlett after the game.

The rest of the game saw Salt Lake forcing shots to try and level the game. They didn't play patiently and were quick to shoot resulting in a lot of shots, but no goals.

After the game fans enjoyed a firework display at Toyota Park celebrating the nation's birthday and the Fire's win.

The Fire's next game is July 11th, on the road at the L.A. Galaxy.

View of fireworks from outside Toyota Park


Match Facts

1 -------------Goals------------ 0
11 -------------Shots------------ 16
4 ----------Shots OT---------- 8
61% -------Possession------ 39%
1 -----------Yellows---------- 2
0 --------------Reds------------ 0
36% ----Shot Accuracy--- 50%
78% -------Passing %------- 78%

Note: Stats/Standings Updated on first page (click)

[Dan]

Getting some good results together now.. Shame about the Columbus game though mate.. They are the leaders, hopefully you can catch them and finish first going into the play-offs..