Preseason wrap-up: Fire are a mystery heading into 2011

Fire's Gaston Puerari -- ISI Photos

The Chicago Fire's preseason slate has wrapped up, and yet this team still is a mystery on several levels.

Four straight preseason games with a red card -- the latter three resulting in 10 men remaining on the pitch -- did not help Chicago's evaluation process. Ultimately, we are left wondering where this club stands from a cohesive and tactical perspective. And the Fire's 2011 MLS opener is only days away as they travel to Texas to take on FC Dallas on Saturday, March 19, at Pizza Hut Park.

The Fire's first team posted a 1-2-3 preseason record, earning a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC on March 5 for its lone win.

Visit ESPNChicago.com for the Fire's preseason wrap-up.

Fire play Battery to scoreless draw

Ex-Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra -- ISI Photos

For once in the Carolina Challenge Cup, the Chicago Fire did not have to deal with a man disadvantage situation during Saturday's finale of the tournament. But despite numerous chances on the offensive end, Chicago came up empty as the Fire played the host Charleston Battery to a scoreless draw at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C.

During a crazy 9-minute stretch in the first half of the Fire's match on Saturday, three players were ejected. The Battery's Stephen Armstrong (30th minute) and Mark Wiltzee (35th minute) were shown straight red cards, and the Fire's Mike Videira received a second yellow card and ejection in the 38th minute.

But Chicago could not find the back of the net despite a 10-on-9 advantage on the pitch for much of the game. Former Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra (pictured), who recently joined the Charleston squad, maintained a second-half clean sheet. Charleston's Keith Wiggans manned the Battery net in the first half.

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire sign Barouch, Videira

Fire's Mike Videira (right, No. 34) -- ISI Photos

Orr Barouch's four-goal performance against the New York Red Bulls reserve team represents the Chicago Fire's standout accomplishment of the preseason.

Chicago rewarded the 19-year-old forward, as well as midfielder Mike Videira, as the Fire signed the duo on Thursday. Videira is immediately added to the roster, and Barouch will shortly follow upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate.

"Orr and Mike are young, talented players who bring versatility to our lineup and are able to play multiple positions," Fire technical director Frank Klopas said. "Both guys are driven to succeed at this level and will help in the progression of our club."

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.

Riot drops finale to Missouri; Richey surpasses 900 saves

Riot goalkeeper Jeff Richey

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- The Chicago Riot fell to the third-place Missouri Comets, 18-12, on Sunday to wrap up its inaugural Major Indoor Soccer League season at the Independence Events Center.

In a losing effort, Riot scoring leader Bato Radoncic tallied three goals and an assist, and goalkeeper Jeff Richey made 20 saves to surpass 900 for his career. Richey now has 904 career saves.

Chicago overcame a 10-2 halftime deficit to tie the score at 10-10 through three quarters. But the Comets pieced together another 8-0 run to seal the victory, with two of Missouri's final scores coming when the Riot had a sixth attacker on the field.

"We were down, 10-2, and the boys came back and fought tonight," Riot Head Coach Jeff Kraft said. "I hate pulling the 'keeper, and we got burned in the end. But I'm proud of the boys. And give the Comets credit, they stepped up and could be going to the playoffs. They're peaking at the right time."

The Riot wraps up its first MISL season with a 5-15 mark, while the third-place Comets improve to 8-11 as they attempt to secure the third and final playoff spot.

For more about the Riot, visit ChicagoRiotSoccer.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.

Cop nets winner as Riot tops Blast, 11-9, in OT

Riot's Ante Cop (left)

BALTIMORE, Md. -- For the second time this season, the Chicago Riot's Ante Cop scored a game-winning goal against the Baltimore Blast as Chicago earned an 11-9 overtime victory Friday in Major Indoor Soccer League action at 1st Mariner Arena.

The Riot (5-14) ended a four-game losing streak and became the only team in the league to defeat Baltimore (14-4) twice this season. Chicago's win also prevented the Blast from clinching the MISL regular-season crown and ended Baltimore's eight-game winning streak.

"It's about time for these guys. We've come up many times on the short end of close games, and they never stopped fighting, especially for the city of Chicago," Riot Head Coach Jeff Kraft said. "We've been through a lot, but they know what it's all about. It was a good win all around, and the guys stepped up offensively and defensively."

Cop tallied the game-winner at the 2:11 mark of overtime with a quick turn in the box as Blast goalkeeper Sagu could not come out in time to prevent the attack. Cop has scored three goals this season. Cop's other game-winner was when he was in a goalkeeper/sixth attacker role, netting a three-pointer with 23 seconds remaining to beat Baltimore, 14-12, on Jan. 16 at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, Ill.

Also noteworthy Friday was Riot goalkeeper Jeff Richey, who kept Chicago in the match with a game-high 19 saves.

Read more at ChicagoRiotSoccer.com.

Segares adjusts to midfield role in Fire's new 3-5-2 scheme

Fire's Gonzalo Segares -- ISI Photos

Starting lineups, positional changes and formations sometimes need to be taken with a grain of salt during the preseason. But the Chicago Fire certainly appear to be set on their ways with a new 3-5-2 formation heading into their 2011 campaign.

The three-man defensive back line is a dramatic variation for many of the players on Chicago's roster. The person most affected by the new scheme is typical left back Gonzalo Segares, who adjusts to a midfield role this year.

For the moment, it appears that the Fire's starting back line will consist of Cory Gibbs, Josip Mikulic and rookie Jalil Anibaba from left to right. Segares is now pushed up to the left side of the midfield alongside Marco Pappa.

"I'm starting to like it a little better. I'm getting used to it," Segares said of the position switch. "I'm not used to receiving the ball with somebody on my back, so there are different things to get used to in this position. There's a lot more running, and I'll be one of the fittest guys on the field when we're done with preseason. I like the challenge. I like to push forward and help the team that way, and I can still help Cory on that left side."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.