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Fire Sun Jul 19 2009
Fire Holding Strong at First
Even with one of Chicago Fire's star players, Brian McBride, out due to shoulder surgery on Friday, the team pulled off a win against San Jose last night to hold on to their first place spot in the Eastern Conference. The defensive play of both teams limited the scoring to 0-0 for most of the game. In the 82nd minute, forward Patrick Nyarko, who took McBride's place in the starting lineup, scored the game winning goal with an assist from Cuauhtemoc Blanco. As the match went into stoppage time, Blanco came through for the Fire again with an additional goal chipped over San Jose's goalie. Thanks to Nyarko's goal, the Fire broke their three game scoreless streak at home. The win also gave Jon Busch his 5th shutout of the season.
The Fire's next game will be against the Seattle Sounders on July 25. Even though McBride will be unable to play again as his labral tear surgery is keeping him off the field for 4-6 months, the team appears to be maintaining a strong intensity without him. If the team can keep the momentum in their next game, first place will stay in Chicago.
