Should Klopas stay on as Fire coach?

Fire's Frank Klopas -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire have not exactly established continuity with their head coach over the past five seasons. Five different coaches have been at the helm since the start of the 2007 season.

With the Fire's 2011 season in the books, the focus once again turns toward the sidelines, where Fire technical director and interim head coach Frank Klopas posted an 8-5-10 record after replacing Carlos de los Cobos.

Chicago missed the playoffs for a second straight season, but the team rebounded in the final third of the campaign to climb close to the postseason picture.

So will Fire management remove the interim tag and keep Klopas as the head coach? Will he focus squarely on the technical side while the organization once again goes through the routine of an extensive coaching search?

Fire personnel certainly feel that the right person for the job already is in place with Klopas.

"There's nobody else who should be in that position," Fire defender Cory Gibbs said. "I don't say that just as a player when I speak the truth. I think he interacts with the team well. And he has a lot of heart and a lot of passion. He gets us ready for games. What more do you want from a coach? We're the ones playing, and we just have to follow his guidance and go out there."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire set to host Chivas USA

Fire captain Logan Pause -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- From Chivas de Guadalajara to Chivas USA, the latter opponent has a bearing on the Chicago Fire's distant postseason hopes.

Chicago hosts Chivas USA this Saturday at Toyota Park, and the team is coming off a 1-0 international friendly defeat to Guadalajara on Wednesday. The Fire (4-8-15, 27 points) enter the weekend in a three-way tie for last place in the Eastern Conference alongside the New England Revolution (which plays late Friday night against the expansion Portland Timbers) and Toronto FC.

The Fire are seven points out of the final wild card spot, and narrowing that gap will take some doing. D.C. United enters the weekend in that fourth wild card slot having played only 25 games to Chicago's 27.

"It's a huge match. It's a match we feel like we have to win," Fire captain Logan Pause said. "Our backs are up against the wall, and we need wins. I'm sure it's going to be an exciting game because Chivas also needs wins. They are on the outside looking in."

Chivas (7-11-10, 31 points) is in the midst of a significant drought. Not only have the Goats lost three straight, but they also have not scored a goal during this stretch.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Mental lapses add to Fire's demise

Logan Pause (left) -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire so often have had to quickly put the past behind them to rebound from a poor effort. But Sunday's road loss to the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps appears to have lingered just a bit more than usual.

"We just didn't come mentally prepared that day and it showed," Fire midfielder Patrick Nyarko said Wednesday following training. "It cost us big time. We had a series of meetings [this week], and the guys reminded themselves that it wasn't good enough."

Chicago is preparing for a road match against the New York Red Bulls this Saturday, and mental preparation clearly is an area where the Fire turned in a failing grade against the Whitecaps.

"The mentality at this level is the difference maker," Fire defender Logan Pause said. "You give up a goal 30 seconds in, it doesn't feel good. You're starting off with a massive hill to climb. You even it up and you do it right again. Sean [Johnson] makes a huge save on a penalty to keep us in it, and within five minutes of the second half [we give up a goal]. So it's one of those things where we kept taking punches, and I think how we fought back, or the lack of energy and commitment, was frustrating to be a part of."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire look to turn tide vs. Whitecaps

Logan Pause -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The theme around the Chicago Fire locker room during the midweek was toward forging ahead in the midst of a disappointing outcome.

The players certainly have had to cope with quite a few, and their most recent effort was out-playing the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, only to manage a 1-1 draw.

Now the Fire hit the road to take on the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday at Empire Field.

"We cannot dwell on it," Fire midfielder Patrick Nyarko said. "We've got to look forward. Every point dropped hurts, but we've got to move on."

"It seems like it's been a little bit of a recurring theme this year," Fire captain Logan Pause said. "We don't have enough time to hang our heads and get upset and worry. ... At this stage, ties aren't really helping. We know we need to get three points."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire add midfielder Pardo, drop Ristic

Pavel Pardo -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

The season-long Pavel Pardo rumor mill finally has an MLS tag tied to the luggage. The destination: the Chicago Fire.

The Fire announced Tuesday that they are bringing in the Mexican international on his 35th birthday, coincidentally. In the process of freeing up an international spot on their roster, the Fire released midfielder Bratislav Ristic.

Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas had publicly dismissed this possibility of Pardo's signing about a month ago, but apparently the big picture changed dramatically from the team's perspective over the past several weeks.

"Pavel's international credentials and track record as a professional were defining factors in us bringing Pavel to the Fire," Klopas said in a statement. "He will provide additional depth in the midfield as we push for a playoff spot in the second half of the MLS season."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire have ax to grind vs. Timbers

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire's worst match on record this season is their 4-2 loss during the Portland Timbers' home opener on April 14.

It marked goalkeeper Sean Johnson's worst performance and a demotion behind Jon Conway. The Fire trailed by a season-high three goals at one stage. And the game included an own goal for each team.

The Fire hope for a complete reversal when they host the expansion Timbers for the first time this Saturday at Toyota Park.

"There were a lot of elements that went into that game," Fire captain and defensive midfielder Logan Pause said. "We not only dropped points and didn't play well, but it was their opening of the stadium. Both of us are fighting for points right now. We're coming off a good result Tuesday, so hopefully that will give us some momentum."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire draw, but winless streak hits 9

Gaston Puerari -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire's seemingly endless winless streak continued to press on, but things could have been much worse.

Fire defender Cory Gibbs' 80th-minute header salvaged a 2-2 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday in front of 11,926 at Toyota Park. But Chicago's winless streak reached nine games, posting a 0-4-5 record during that stretch, while posting a 1-4-6 record overall.

"Right now we're not getting results," Fire captain Logan Pause said. "Listen, let's behonest, one win out of 11 is not good enough, and we know that."

Gibbs' diving header struck just inside the near right post to equalize the match. Baggio Husidic sent the ball in from the right side, and Gibbs dove straight forward. Former Fire and current Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch was trying to cover the near right post, but he could not get there in time. Gibbs ripped off his shirt in celebration, taking a yellow card in the process.

Dominic Oduro also scored for the Fire, posting the 100th regular-season goal in team history.

Both Fire goals came after Chicago fell behind on two different occasions in the second half. Ramiro Corrales and Chris Wondolowski netted goals to garner 1-0 and 2-1 leads, respectively, for the Quakes.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire look for multiple points at Union

Fire goalkeeper Jon Conway -- Getty Images

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Nearly two months have passed since the Chicago Fire's last victory, and it is almost a moot point that Chicago has not lost, either, in its past four matches.

Chicago travels to PPL Park in Chester, Pa., to take on the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, and the Fire are hoping to get more than a point against the second-place team in the Eastern Conference.

"We are close to winning," Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos said. "I believe in this. We are close to winning."

Close is an accurate description for a team that is tied for the league lead with five draws. But Chicago also is one of only three teams with just one victory on the season (Sporting Kansas City and the Vancouver Whitecaps being the other two).

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire retain central midfield even if captain Pause is ready to go

Fire's Logan Pause -- Getty Images

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- In the mind of Chicago Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos, even the team's captain will have to earn his starting spot back.

Fire defensive midfielder Logan Pause has missed the last several weeks because of a hamstring injury, paving the way for Daniel Paladini and Corben Bone to take starting roles in the central midfield for the past three matches.

Pause trained heavily on Thursday and appears to be nearing a return, perhaps this Saturday when the Fire (1-3-5) travel to Philadelphia (4-3-2). But De los Cobos said that he is going to continue with the midfield he has penciled in over the past several weeks, even if Pause is ready to go.

"I want to keep the guys who are playing because they are making a good job," said De los Cobos, whose team has posted a 0-0-3 mark during Pause's absence. "Logan is always important for me. For that reason, he is our captain. He was three weeks out and the team is playing good. I always need Logan. I think he's a good leader with the group. I'm sure that he's a smart person and a smart guy, and he understands the situation. He will work for returning to play."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire, Rapids desperate for turnaround

Fire's Logan Pause -- Getty Images

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire, winless in four straight games, are not the only ones in MLS in need of a momentum shift. The Fire face the defending MLS champion Colorado Rapids this Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce, Colo., and the host Rapids are in a three-game skid of their own.

The major difference is that Colorado has three victories in its pocket this season, while Chicago sits with only one.

"We're both desperate for points," Fire midfielder Patrick Nyarko said. "We're not going to settle for a tie up there. We're going in for the win. We desperately need the points, and we've played well up there the last couple of years. But we're just unfortunate to not have come out of there with a win."

The Fire (1-3-2) will be without their captain, however. Defensive midfielder Logan Pause strained his hamstring on Wednesday and will not see the pitch Saturday. Also missing from the fray again is defender Cory Gibbs (hamstring), who played for Colorado in 2008 and 2009. Gibbs' replacement, Yamith Cuesta, performed admirably during the Fire's recent 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo.

Colorado (3-3-0) will have some key absences, as well, with forward Conor Casey expected to miss the match with a hamstring injury. The big story resonating throughout the league is the 10-game suspension of Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan, whose severe tackle caused Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Steve Zakuani to break his leg. Mullan was red carded for the incident and would have missed Saturday's match against the Fire anyway. But the league tacked on nine games to Mullan's suspension, and he was fined $5,000.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire settle for draw against Dynamo

Fire forward Diego Chaves -- Getty Images

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- With the pressure mounting on the Chicago Fire to produce a positive result following three straight defeats, the home side held a late lead but could not hang on en route to a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday in front of 12,473 at Toyota Park.

Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell scored in the 87th minute off of a corner kick to tie the score late at 1-1. Chicago did end its losing streak, but the Fire (1-3-2) missed out on a good opportunity to grab three points against a fellow Eastern Conference side that is known for capitalizing on its set pieces.

"We knew that one of the things that makes that team successful is set pieces," Fire captain Logan Pause said. "Giving up a goal on a set piece, it's just a bummer. We worked on it. It was actually my man who scored."

"They have big guys, big players," Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos said of Houston (2-1-3). "It's a shame, because it was one of the last minutes of the game again."

Diego Chaves tallied his team-leading fourth goal for the Fire for a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute. The Fire took advantage of Houston defender Corey Ashe coughing up the ball to Chicago midfielder Marco Pappa. Pappa took the Fire the other way and found Chaves inside the box, as Chaves slotted the ball past Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Jouaux strikes chord with Fire's strength, conditioning regimen

Tony Jouaux -- Chicago Fire

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- First-year Chicago Fire strength and conditioning coach Tony Jouaux stands by the following assessment from Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho:

"Mourinho always says that a pianist doesn't run around the piano or do a push-up with his finger tips to be the greatest pianist -- he plays a piano," Jouaux said. "That's the same for soccer."

The 25-year-old Jouaux has taken a fitness approach that resonates with just about any player on the pitch, and that is a program involving the soccer ball in everything the Fire players do.

"If I remember, only one practice in Charleston was without the ball," Fire midfielder and defender Gonzalo Segares said of the team's preseason trip to South Carolina. "Other than that, every other fitness day is with the ball. As a soccer player, you enjoy that more than just going around in circles on the field. I think it makes it more interesting for us."

There is not a clear-cut right answer toward the proper methods of training a professional soccer team, but Jouaux has struck a chord with his approach for the Fire. Many Fire players raved about Jouaux's routine and schedule during the preseason. Now, the key for Jouaux and Chicago (1-0-1) is maintaining a high work rate and a healthy roster over the course of a 34-game regular season.

"He really believes in these phases of where we are in the season, we're doing different stuff," Fire captain Logan Pause said. "So in the middle of the summer, when the legs are exhausted and you're normally fatigued, he has a different plan to cater to guys during that time. It's very individual-specific. It's not something you see overnight. It's one of those things that will make our team better because it'll keep guys healthy, and we'll be hopefully one of the fittest teams in the league."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

2011 preview: Fire open at Dallas

Fire captain Logan Pause (left) -- ISI Photos

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- One year ago the Chicago Fire had a vision of attractive and possession-driven play as its successful model.

After a trying 2010 MLS campaign that resulted in a sub-.500 record and a rare shortened season outside of the playoff picture, the Fire are hoping the implementation finally comes to fruition this 2011 season.

The new-look Chicago squad travels to Frisco, Texas, on Saturday to take on 2010 MLS Cup runner-up FC Dallas.

"We've obviously had quite a bit of changes coming into the year, but that's normal -- maybe a few more than usual," Fire captain and defensive midfielder Logan Pause said Friday following training. "But guys have come in and done their job to help move this thing along, so this weekend's a test for us and we're looking forward to it."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire see red again, fall to D.C. at Carolina Challenge Cup

Fire's Logan Pause -- ISI Photos

For a team hoping to get a look at its offensive options heading into the 2011 Major League Soccer season, the continual red cards are not helping the Chicago Fire's cause.

Uruguayan forward Diego Chaves was ejected in the 37th minute and the Fire fell to D.C. United, 1-0, on Wednesday at the Carolina Challenge Cup at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C.

D.C., which defeated the host Charleston Battery last week, is in good shape to repeat as Carolina Challenge Cup champion with two wins and six points in the bag. Chicago has three points from last Saturday's 1-0 win against Toronto FC and faces Charleston and potentially former Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra, who just joined the Battery squad, this Saturday to wrap up the tournament.

On Wednesday, Chaves' red was Chicago's second straight in the tournament (third straight in preseason action) as defensive midfielder Logan Pause was issued a red during last Saturday's win over Toronto. Pause returned Wednesday as the tournament does not issue a one-game suspension.

"It makes for a difficult game of soccer to be played. That's the reality," Pause said of the team's recent shorthanded situations. "You take positives and negatives out of it. The positive is a situation like this helps build character and requires a team to roll up its sleeves and hope to get a result. We have another match this weekend and we've done a lot of training in our system, so we feel we're in good shape."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Pappa, shorthanded Fire pull off win over Toronto

Fire midfielder Marco Pappa -- ISI Photos

Though it was not by design, the Chicago Fire's opening game of the eighth annual Carolina Challenge Cup against Toronto FC turned into a strong preseason test.

Marco Pappa netted the game's lone goal and Chicago played down a man for about 55 minutes and hung on to a 1-0 win over the Reds on Saturday in Charleston, S.C.

The Fire had to abandon their new three-man defensive line early as captain and defensive midfielder Logan Pause was issued a straight red card in the 36th minute for a two-footed challenge against Toronto's Oscar Cordon around midfield.

But Chicago already had its lead and the defense held up en route to the shutout. Pappa tallied his third goal of the preseason in the 6th minute on a well-executed sequence. Gaston Puerari provided the cross from the right side to Davis Paul, who then dropped the ball back to Pappa who darted into the box for the finish and the 1-0 lead.

"I got toward the left post and could have taken a shot, but I saw Marco coming in," Paul said. "I passed it back to him and he had a class finish."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire suffer 'defensive meltdown'

The Chicago Fire looked out of sorts during their 4-1 loss to Toronto FC on Saturday at BMO Field as Chicago's three-game undefeated streak came to a close.

Toronto had a wind-aided strike in the first half, but the rest was entirely on the Fire's shoulders as Toronto's Chad Barrett tallied two goals against his former teammates.

The last time the Fire gave up four goals in league play was during a 4-1 home loss to FC Dallas on Sept. 21, 2008.

"It was a defensive meltdown," Fire defender C.J. Brown said. "I think the four guys in the back, we weren't sharp today. Just before the second half we thought putting a lot of pressure on them was going to be good for us, and it ended up biting us."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

PREVIEW: REAL SALT LAKE AT FIRE

Full defense is back as Chicago tries to climb back into 1st

Now that the CONCACAF Gold Cup is finished, the MLS contingent playing in the tournament is now back to the main day job.

Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause (pictured) is back from the U.S. Men's National Team and he and the Fire hope to win their second straight home game when they host Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Park (televised on My50).

Chicago will be slightly shorthanded with the absence of midfielder John Thorrington, who was ejected during the Fire's scoreless draw against host Seattle Sounders FC last week. But the remainder of the team is available and looks to continue filling the long-term void of injured forward Brian McBride.

The Fire are 1-0-1 so far without him, and they face a team that they have had great success against in the past. Chicago is 2-0-2 against Real at home, 4-1-3 overall.

Chicago had an undefeated July that concluded with a hard-fought scoreless draw against Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field. Holding the Sounders scoreless was a strong feat, and the Fire extended their streak to 284 minutes without allowing a goal.

The 2008 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Jon Busch, has posted three straight clean sheets, posting shutouts against Seattle, the San Jose Earthquakes and Columbus Crew last month.

Real Salt Lake is coming off a hot-and-cold match against FC Dallas. Real fell behind, 2-0, at halftime and then posted four second-half goals for a 4-2 victory.

Real head coach Jason Kreis will not be on the sidelines for this week or next week against Seattle. He received a one-game suspension from an ejection and was suspended for another game following an outburst with officials during the Dallas game. Kreis also was fined $3,500. This is his third suspension this season, and the MLS disciplinary committee laid down the law for Kreis' latest actions.

SlideTackles.net prediction: The full squad is back, the injury report is empty (other than McBride obviously). And Chicago has a good opportunity to work its way into first place again in the Eastern Conference. The Fire are only one point behind the current East point leaders, the Columbus Crew, who have a difficult road test against the Colorado Rapids this weekend.

I'm eager to see if this is the start of a dominant change at home. You have three All-Stars (Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Wilman Conde and Bakary Soumare) coming off the Everton match. You have two Gold Cup participants (Gonzalo Segares and Logan Pause) who have been playing some good international competition. Can all of that translate into some crisp play on the field?

This is one of the few times during the season where everyone is here. Following Wednesday's SuperLiga final against Tigres, Blanco and Segares will head to World Cup qualifying for Mexico and Costa Rica, respectively. It's time to take advantage of the current situation. Chicago Fire 2, Real Salt Lake 0

PREVIEW: FIRE AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

CLICK HERE for my Week 19 Examiner.com MLS Preview, which leads with the Chicago Fire-Seattle Sounders FC showdown. The match takes place at 2 p.m. (CST) Saturday at Qwest Field in Seattle. The game is televised on ESPN.

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Fire adjust offensively to fill McBride's scoring void

The Chicago Fire are 1-for-1 so far without veteran forward Brian McBride, who is out several months with a right shoulder injury. Chicago posted a 2-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes last week, and the final 10 minutes were a positive sign heading into this weekend's road game against Seattle.

With a target man out of the lineup, however, the Fire's attack obviously has to make some adjustments.

"We'll have to knock the ball around a little bit more, and some of the long balls that we hit have to be more to the corners instead of more central to (where McBride attacks)," Fire midfielder and forward Chris Rolfe said.

Rolfe (pictured) has had an interesting season that has ranged from becoming one of the first players off the bench in the early part of the season, to midfield play, and several opportunities returning to the forward role he has been more used to in his career. Coach Denis Hamlett has utilized Rolfe's versatility, and Rolfe was excited to get the chance to push forward last week.

"Tonight it was awesome playing that role," Rolfe said. "It's just a quick change in mind-set. You've got to change a little bit of your thinking on your runs, what you can do on the ball in different areas on the field. It felt great."

Forward Patrick Nyarko (pictured left) has showcased some strong flashes of quickness and sure-footed maneuvers. Nyarko tallied the game-winning goal against San Jose, and he knows that he needs to supply some finishing power that McBride established early on in the season. But obviously in his own methodical style.

"(Brian's) an integral part. He's a big guy, he's strong, and he scores goals," Nyarko said. "That's what he does. ... There's no way I can match Brian McBride. I bring a little bit more pace, and it's just a matter of getting a little bit closer to what Brian does on the field."

The word "depth" has been thrown around all season. And on both ends of the field, this team has felt more than comfortable saying that if there are some key absences, just about anyone can fill the void.

"From Day 1, right from preseason, I knew this team had depth, and that anything we put out there, we feel like we can win any game," Nyarko said. "It's unfortunate for Brian to go down. I feel like we have a better chance of winning with him in there. And we're left a little bit shorthanded. But then we feel like we have a deep team and anyone can step up on any single day."

* * *

Pause reflects on Gold Cup experience, semifinal victory

On Thursday, Fire midfielder Logan Pause was at Soldier Field as the U.S. Men's National Team defeated Honduras, 2-0, to win their semifinal match in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The U.S. MNT advanced to Sunday's final against Mexico.

Pause's stint with the team has been a huge success, and the journey now reaches the final, which starts at 2 p.m. (CST) Sunday and is televised on Fox Soccer Channel. Here are a few comments he had following the match:

• "It was exciting, obviously. Getting the result was huge. I'm looking forward to Sunday. Anytime you get a chance to play at home, it's wonderful."

• "I think we were confident in ourselves. We knew that it was going to be a much different, tougher game than the third game (of the tournament). We put a lot into it. We were concentrating on that. We focused on ourselves. We just felt like if we played well and did the little things right that we would come out on top."

• "It was a great, great effort, starting with Troy (Perkins) in goal, making some huge saves, especially in the latter part of the game. Our back line was phenomenal. I think it started up top with Brian (Ching) and Davy (Arnaud) working their tales off up top and it just trickled all the way down to the back."

• "Anytime you put yourself with a chance to win a cup, that's what it's about. That's what this group and the national team has been working so hard for for a long time. It's good to get the opportunity."

• "Anytime you get an opportunity like that, to wear the jersey of the national team, you take honor in it. It's a privilege. Coming into it, I just looked at it as that - an opportunity to come. I tried to stay within myself and play my role and do what I can to help the team, similar to my other job here in Chicago."

EXAMINER.COM MLS POWER RANKINGS

The Chicago Fire maintained third place in Examiner.com's MLS Power Rankings through Week 18. CLICK HERE to read more.

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I will likely be providing in-game tweets (CorrSports) from the U.S. Men's National Team's CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal match against Honduras on Thursday night at Soldier Field (6 p.m. start). Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause has earned some decent playing time, and goalkeeper Jon Busch just recently joined the U.S. MNT.

~ Charlie Corr
Major League Soccer Examiner
SlideTackles.net creator and editor

CHICAGO SOCCER ROUNDUP

A few noteworthy topics from within the confines of the Chicago Fire and Chicago Red Stars:

• Gold Cup update: Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause got his second start for the U.S. Men's National Team during Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Honduras in the CONCACAF Gold Cup at RFK Stadium. Pause stayed in the game until Benny Feilhaber replaced him in the 64th minute. Earlier in the Gold Cup, Pause had an assist as he earned his first cap during the U.S.'s dominating 4-0 victory against Grenada last week. This victory was the second in a about a month against Honduras, earning a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Soldier Field in World Cup qualifying.

• Chicago Fire Camp Day: Fire fans, head out to Toyota Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday for Chicago Fire Camp Day. Mascot Sparky and Fire players Jon Busch, Chris Rolfe and Bakary Soumare will be out and about. See a live Fire practice, participate in interactive soccer activities, win prizes and more.

• Pappa's goal No. 1: Fire midfielder Marco Pappa earned his first MLS Goal of the Week, which was his fifth goal of the season in leading Chicago past the host Colorado Rapids, 2-1, last Saturday. The win ended a decade-long winless streak at Colorado. Pappas' goal also came against former Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens.

• Tarpley honored: On Wednesday, Chicago Red Stars forward Lindsay Tarpley became the first player in franchise history to earn Women's Professional Soccer Player of the Week. She had the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory against the Washington Freedom on July 1. Watch her goal below, which takes place at approximately the 2-minute mark.