Fire Play to Fourth-Straight Tie in 1-1 Result at Chivas USA

Cuauhtémoc Blanco nets third goal of the season for "Men in Red"

CARSON, Calif. (Sept. 29) – The Chicago Fire (8-10-9, 33 pts.) marked a club-record fourth-straight tie in a 1-1 result against Chivas USA (14-6-6, 48 pts.) before an energized sell-out crowd of 27,000 Saturday night at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.  Chicago attacker Cuauhtémoc Blanco scored first for the Fire off a long-range freekick in the 24th minute. Chivas USA defender and captain Claudio Suarez buried a penalty kick in the 82nd minute that forced both teams to take home a single point.

The Fire struck with the game’s first goal after Chivas USA midfielder Paulo Nagamura was whistled for clipping Blanco from behind, roughly 35 yards from goal. After a yellow card caution was issued to Chivas midfielder Jesse Marsch for game disrepute, Blanco ran onto the ball and drilled an exquisitely-placed ball into the upper right corner past Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan for a 24th minute tally and the 1-0 lead.

Chivas nearly tied the game in the 40th minute, as forward Ante Razov took a low rip from 20 yards out that took a deflection in the box and pinged off the crossbar for a Chivas corner kick that was immediately cleared from the penalty area.

In the 80th minute, Chicago defender C.J. Brown and Chivas' Galindo fought for a 50-50 ball in the Fire's 18-yard-box. As Galindo took a shot, contact from Brown took the forward to the ground and referee Tim Weyland pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Chivas USA captain Claudio Suarez ran toward the ball, stutter-stepped, then finished with a strong shot past Pickens to knot the game at 1-1.

Chicago kept the pressure on Chivas in the game's final moments, as a 86th minute freekick from Blanco was cleared out of the box to forward Chris Rolfe, who stuck from 25 yards to hit the top netting. In the 89th minute, a long cross from Fire defender Dasan Robinson landed to midfielder Diego Gutierrez, whose 30-yard shot forced Guzan to make a goal-saving dive

“Tonight was exciting, it was a playoff atmosphere,” said Fire assistant coach Daryl Shore.  “You had two very good teams playing, and I think the fans – if they leave from tonight – they should leave thinking that this was a good match to watch.”

The Fire return to action Saturday, Oct. 6, in an Eastern Conference clash with the New England Revolution (14-6-7, 49 pts.) at TOYOTA PARK (7:30 p.m. CT. Comcast SportsNet). With the tie, Chicago now sit four points ahead of the Colorado Rapids (7-12-8, 29 pts.) and two points in front of the Columbus Crew (7-9-10, 31 pts.) for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Notes:

·          The crowd broke into random chants of “Temo” throughout the match.

·          Fire head coach Juan Carlos Osorio was ejected in the closing minutes of play.

·          Blanco suffered a game-high eight fouls during the contest.

Scoring Summary:

CHI – Cuauhtémoc Blanco 4 (unassisted) 24’

CHV – Claudio Suarez 3 (penalty kick) 82’

Chicago Lineup (4-4-2): GK-Matt Pickens, D-Logan Pause, D-C.J. Brown, D-Wilman Conde, D-Gonzalo Segares, M-Chris Rolfe, M-Chris Armas (captain), M-Cuauhtémoc Blanco, M-Diego Gutierrez, F-Paulo Wanchope (Dasan Robinson 79') , F-Chad Barrett (Floyd Franks 63').

Substitutes Not Used: Jon Busch, Calen Carr, Bakary Soumare, John Thorrington, Daniel Woolard.
 

Chivas USA Lineup (4-4-2): GK-Brad Guzan, D-Lawson Vaughn (Alex Zotinca 78'), D-Claudio Suarez (captain), D-Shavar Thomas, D-Jonathan Bornstein, M-Sacha Kljesten, M-Jesse Marsch, M-Paulo Nagamura (Laurent Merlin 68'), M-Francisco Mendoza, F-Maykel Galindo, F-Ante Razov.

Substitutes Not Used: Preston Burpo, John Cunliffe, Jason Hernandez, Ramon Nunez, Orlando Perez.

Discipline Summary:

CHV – Jess Marsch (caution, game disrepute) 24’

CHI – Chris Armas (caution, tackle from behind) 28’

CHV – Paulo Nagamura (caution, reckless foul) 32’

CHI – Wilman Conde (caution, tackle from behind) 36'

CHV – Maykel Galindo (caution, reckless foul) 54'

CHI – Cuauhtémoc Blanco (caution, dissent) 85'

Referee: Tim Weyland  Referee Assistants: Chris Strickland, Frank Anderson 4th Official: Miquel Chicas

Weather: Partly Cloudy and 70 degrees.                    

Attendance: 27,000

Fire Contact:  Chris Bailey :: 708.633.6456 :: cbailey@chicago-fire.com