Fire swept by expansion Timbers

Dominic Oduro (back) -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- After going eight straight games without a defeat, the Chicago Fire find themselves in a bit of a skid, posting a second straight loss to the Portland Timbers, 1-0, on Saturday in front of 16,419 at Toyota Park.

The expansion Timbers swept the season series against Chicago this year, and Saturday marked Portland's first road victory after going 0-5-2 in its previous seven road matches. Chicago (2-6-12) has lost back-to-back games after falling to the Los Angeles Galaxy the weekend before.

"We knew it was a must-win game for us in terms of just mental preparation," Fire defender Cory Gibbs said. "We're not saying that our season is over. But mentally it was a game that we ... not had to win, but we wanted to win for our fans. It didn't go our way."

The difference was a questionable penalty kick call and ultimate PK goal by the Timbers' Jack Jewsbury in the 25th minute to give Portland (6-9-3) the 1-0 lead.

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.

Timbers board up flustered Fire

Fire's Marco Pappa (right) -- Getty Images

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Chicago Fire on Thursday.

For the host Portland Timbers, the expansion side had a dream start en route to their first victory, 4-2, over Chicago during their home opener in front of an enthusiastic 18,627 at Jeld-Wen Field.

The Fire (1-2-1) dropped their second straight match, and the Chicago defense has now allowed a combined eight goals in its past three league games.

Jorge Perlaza tallied two goals to lead the way for Portland (1-1-2), while teammate Rodney Wallace also tallied a goal for the home side. The Timbers jumped out to a 3-0 advantage early in the second half.

"We were making a big push to get the first goal [of the second half] on our end, but a couple minutes into the second half we gave up a third, which makes it a daunting hill to climb," Fire captain Logan Pause said. "We made a chase. We pushed it. We just really need to start learning from some of the mistakes we're making."

Marco Pappa had a goal for the Fire, and he was in the mix of the action during the Timbers' own goal in the 66th minute.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

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.