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August 13, 2005
RIGHT PICK FOR GOAL
Fire Defeats Galaxy 2-1 Despite Depleted Roster
Kathryn L. Knapp
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Matt Pickens secured the goal for Chicago, while Zach Thornton served a one-game suspension. He led the team to a 2-1 victory. Jesse Marsch tallied the team's first goal of the night.
Linda Cuttone / Sports Vue Images |
CHICAGO – Despite missing a number of regulars, including the starting goalkeeper, the Chicago Fire pulled together and collected its 12th victory of the season. The Fire defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 in front of 14,899 at Solider Field.
“Our roster is very depleted,” Fire Head Coach Dave Sarachan said. “We ran deep into the roster today. I’m very proud of my kitty core.”
Chicago goalkeeper Zach Thornton sat out the match due to a red card he received Wednesday. Defender C.J. Brown sat out after accumulating too many caution points. Forward Lubos Reiter is currently with the Slovakian National Team. Six players sat out with injuries, including newly diagnosed Ivan Guerrero (bruised foot).
Despite the lacking players, Matt Pickens secured goal successfully, allowing just one goal en route to his second MLS win. John Thorrington netted his first MLS goal. It was a day for players to rise to the occasion and fight for a starting spot.
“I think we have a good team,” Fire captain Chris Armas said. “We’re on our way to becoming a great team. We have the potential.”
Chicago jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the 20th minute. Galaxy defender Michael Umana took down Chicago midfielder Justin Mapp inside the box. Jesse Marsch stepped up to take the penalty kick for the Fire. He shot it into the bottom left corner of the net, just out of reach of L.A.’s Kevin Hartman.
Eighteen minutes later, Chicago struck again. Standing on the left side of the box, Mapp crossed the ball to a leaping John Thorrington on the right. Thorrington headed it to the right of Hartman for a 2-0 Fire lead.
“Justin did his thing, twisting up two Galaxy players,” Thorrington said. Nine times out of ten when Justin has the ball, you know a cross is coming. For me to score with my head, it had to be a great cross. It felt really good to help the team win.”
Second half, Los Angeles found a way to get back in the game. In the 53rd minute, Landon Donovan crossed the ball to Peter Vagenas on the left side of the box. Vagenas snuck a header to the left of Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
“Again, we gave an easy goal away,” Armas said. “We worked so hard to get two goals. Then we give up an easy goal. We have to let teams earn it a little more.”
Despite a number of chances, neither team would tally in the remaining minutes, with the game ending in a 2-1 Fire win.
Pickens secured a defense that’s been unsteady all season.
“Matt looked comfortable,” Armas said. “He showed confidence and we showed we have confidence in him.”
Pickens said he was grateful for the opportunity. “It was a big game,” Pickens said. “I’m glad I got to play in it and win. We beat a pretty good team. We have the deepest team in the league. We’re still trying to find the right combination.”
The Fire (12-9-3, 39 points) remains in second place in the East. New England (12-4-6, 42 points) stays in first after posting a 2-1 win over FC Dallas. Chicago begins a five-game road trip and is back in action Friday, August 19th at Kansas City. The Fire will not return to Soldier Field for MLS action until October.
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