Chicago Fire 0, Dallas Burn 1 Late Dallas Goal Downs Fire In Return To Preseason Play CHICAGO, IL (Sunday, March 2, 2003) - The first match of the Chicago Fire's second preseason training session in Florida against the Dallas Burn nearly ended as a defensive stalemate. However, a goal off the foot of the Burn's Philip Salyer two minutes from time was just enough to see Dallas through to a 1-0 victory over the "Men in Red." The loss drops the Fire's 2003 preseason record to 2-3-0. The match on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton was a 70-minute affair, and the two sides appeared to struggle offensively in the first 35 minutes. Chicago's best chance in the half came off the head off trial player John Wolyniec. The former Milwaukee Rampage striker got on the end of a corner kick in the 10th minute, but his header bounced off a post, allowing Dallas time to recover and clear the ball from danger. A stout Fire backfield consisting of veterans C.J. Brown, Jim Curtin, Orlando Perez, Evan Whitfield and Jesse Marsch shut down the Burn attack in the shortened half, allowing goalkeeper Henry Ring to be called into action sparingly. The second half saw wholesale substitutions for the Fire, with the brand new line-up being anchored by regulars Carlos Bocanegra and Kelly Gray. The Brimstone Cup combatants nearly fought to a draw, but Salyer's late game heroics would save the day for Dallas. In the 68th minute, midfielder Chad Deering played a square ball off a free kick along the top of the 18-yard box to Salyer. The University of Maryland product collected straight out from goal and then blasted a shot from head-on that sailed past 'keeper Curtis Spiteri and into the back of the net, giving Dallas the game's only tally. The Fire will return to its regular two-a-day practice schedule for the next two days. Chicago's next preseason game will pit them against D.C. United on Wednesday afternoon. The match will once again take place at the Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 pm. CT. Scoring Summary: CHI: None DAL: Phil Sayler (Chad Deering) 68' Fire Lineup (4-4-2): GK-Henry Ring (Curtis Spiteri 36), D-C.J. Brown (Kelly Gray 36), D-Jim Curtin (Carlos Bocanegra 36), D-Orlando Perez (Chad Dombrowski 36), D-Evan Whitfield (Nick Walls 36), M-Jesse Marsch (Craig Capano 36), M-Logan Pause (Jose Gomez 36, Ryan Mack 55), M-DaMarcus Beasley (Ryan Futagaki 36), M-Andy Williams (Leighton O'Brien 36), F-John Wolyniec (Phil Swenda 36), F-Damani Ralph (Nate Jaqua 36). Burn Lineup (3-5-2): GK-Jeff Cassar, D-Carl Bussey, D-Shavar Thomas, D-Steve Morrow, D-Paul Broome, M- Andy Rosenband, M-Gregory Goodrich, M-Chad Deering, M-Antonio Martinez, F-Bobby Rhine, F-Jerron Nixon (Philip Salyer 45').
Salyer must be one versatile player. Forward, Dmid, Left Back, Right back, etc. Who's Gregory Goodrich? Always good to beat the Fire.
Thanks for the write up but you've got the formation wrong. There's 4 defenders in the back and 4 midfielders with two forwards. That screams 4-4-2. Salyer subbed in to play forward?
Salyer's a quality player IMHO. With the right team he could very well end up on the national team in 2006.
To answer the Greg Goodrich question... The first problem was that the Fire's site spelled his name wrong. It's Greg Goodridge. Gregory Goodridge is the Barbadian national team captain. He's a midfielder. Recent sides include Torquay United and Bristol City. Born in 1971. His name came up in the Boston Globe a few months ago, as Frank Dell'Apa noted that his agent wished to shop him in America.
Wow - another ex QPR player. I don't believe Steve Morrow was there at the same time as Goodridge - Morrow was signed when Goodridge was gone - but I wonder if he put a word in at some point.
I'm going to have to disagree with you here. While he's a decent talent, I just do not see him with any national team potential, in 2006 or beyond. -Tron
All is right with the world when the Burn are beating the Fire -- even if it's a meaningless preseason game.