June 28, 2012
MLS FRIDAY
A look at the upcoming game

Marco Pappa and the Fire will go for their third straight win Friday against Sporting Kansas City. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

Chicago Fire (7-5-3, 24 pts) @ Sporting Kansas City (9-4-2, 29 pts), 7:00 pm CT (NBC Sports)
Sporting Kansas City got a wakeup call with last weekend’s 4-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union, but have a chance to claw their way back to the top of the MLS East when they host the Chicago Fire Friday at Livestrong Sporting Park. Friday will be Sporting’s fifth game in 14 days, including last Tuesday’s 3-0 US Open Cup win over the minor league Dayton Dutch Lions. Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen has a league-best six shutouts to his credit. Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson is having a solid season as well, and made eight saves as the Fire were outshot 21-9 in last weekend’s 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew. Marco Pappa opened the Fire scoring with a 25-yard screamer in the second minute, but Dominic Oduro won the game with his team-leading fifth goal of the season. Playmaker Sebastian Grazzini (5 assists) will not be on the roster on Friday after missing a midweek practice. In addition, midfielder Gonzalo Segares is serving a red card suspension, and midfield leader Pavel Pardo is battling an ankle injury. New signee Alex (Brazilian Alex Monteiro De Lima) is expected to be available to make his debut in the Fire midfield.