Fire match MLS draws record

Patrick Nyarko (left) -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

The Chicago Fire had a rare halftime lead on the New York Red Bulls. But as the trend has been all season, Chicago had to settle for a 2-2 draw on Saturday as the Fire tied an MLS record with their 14th stalemate of the season at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

The Fire (2-7-14, 20 points) matched the record set by FC Dallas last season, when Dallas posted a 12-4-14 mark in the regular season and advanced to the 2010 MLS Cup against eventual champion Colorado Rapids.

Chicago continues to lag behind in last place in the Eastern Conference, and in the grand scheme of things, the Fire clearly are disappointed that they could not hold onto their 2-1 lead in the second half.

"If we're being honest, coming into Red Bull Arena and getting a point is a positive," Fire captain Logan Pause said. "We'd only be doing ourselves a disservice if we had our tails between our legs and started writing games off. But tonight we needed three points."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Struggling Fire, Red Bulls converge

Dominic Oduro (right) and ex-Fire midfielder
John Thorrington (left) -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Will the real Chicago Fire please stand up?

A topsy-turvy five-day stretch last week brought out the Fire's best efforts (1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union) and easily the team's worst performances (4-2 loss to the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps) of the season. Which version shows up this Saturday remains to be seen as Chicago faces the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

"It's amazing, because you go from playing the [second-place team in the East] and dominating that game and playing really well, and then going on the road where for me it was a very poor performance," Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas said. "Not the fact that we lost. I just felt the discipline and the stuff that we worked on, we gave up opportunities too, too easy. When you do that and give up four goals, it's difficult to win any game."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire, Red Bulls tangle in Open Cup

Josip Mikulic -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

Between the play-in matches and an opening-round game, the Chicago Fire have posted more victories in the 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (three) than they have during the MLS regular season (two).

Fire personnel have stated on more than a few occasions that they are taking this year's Open Cup seriously, and they hope to advance past the quarterfinals when they host their fellow MLS side New York Red Bulls on Tuesday at Toyota Park.

The Red Bulls and Fire are both coming off Saturday losses in MLS play. New York fell to D.C. United, 1-0, while Chicago suffered a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire come back to draw Red Bulls

Fire's Corben Bone (right) -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire have had moments this year where the bounces have not gone their way. But on Sunday, a beneficial bounce on a Marco Pappa goal paved the way for a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls in front of 16,961 at Toyota Park.

Pappa's team-leading fifth goal in the 58th minute helped Chicago overcome a halftime deficit. Pappa wound up with the ball about 30 yards away from the goal and he decided to take a deep strike toward the left side of the net. Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul dove to his right, but the ball actually bounced over Coundoul and into the back of the net to tie the match at 1-1.

"Sometimes he tries things and they don't come through, but there are times where he can make some magic," Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas said of Pappa. "You know what you're going to get from him. He's always going to be in situations where he can create and he can score. He always finds himself around the goal. It's amazing that he's got that ability. Some players have it, some don't."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

MLS ANNOUNCES 2010 KICKOFF

Chicago Fire to host San Jose Earthquakes in Week 3

Major League Soccer unveiled its 2010 home openers on Thursday. The Chicago Fire's first match at Toyota Park takes place in Week 3 on Saturday, April 10, when they host the San Jose Earthquakes (7:30 p.m.). Chicago will be a part of history when New York makes its debut at Red Bull Arena and hosts the Fire in Week 1 for a 6 p.m. (CST) match on Saturday, March 27 (televised on ESPN2).

CLICK HERE for the full list of Major League Soccer's 2010 home openers.