Fire seek rebound effort vs. Portland

Fire defender Cory Gibbs (left) -- Getty Images

The Chicago Fire defense has allowed two goals in each of the team's past two games. That is not a panic statistic, but it also is not an ideal trend considering Chicago posted a 1-7-3 record last year in league play when giving up two or more goals.

The Fire (1-1-1) would like to remedy things on the defensive front as they face the expansion Portland Timbers on Thursday during the Timbers' home opener at Jeld-Wen Field (10 p.m. CT kickoff, ESPN2).

Chicago is coming off a 2-1 loss Sunday against Seattle Sounders FC -- the Fire's first defeat of the season.

"It's been a bit unfortunate, the types of goals we have given up," Fire defender Cory Gibbs said. "But the things we've given up are also easy fixes. We've hurt ourselves on probably more than half of the goals."

For more, visit ESPNChicago.com.