Wed Jun 18 19:55:23 2008

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Fire, Chivas USA aim to end losing streaks

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Carson, CA (Sports Network) - The Chicago Fire travel to California to take on Chivas USA in a Major League Soccer fixture pitting clubs which are both looking to snap two-game losing streaks.

The Goats have been shutout in consecutive 1-0 losses, marking the first time since their inaugural season they've gone without a goal in successive games. The latest loss was at home to Real Salt Lake this past Saturday.

"It was a tough evening for us," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "I didn't think we were particularly sharp in the first half. Actually, quite a few guys that weren't sharp, and I didn't feel like the commitment was good from the get-go. We made one or two mistakes and we paid for it. After that it was an uphill battle. In the second half we made a couple of changes, we pushed the tempo, and we created quite a few opportunities. It doesn't look like now we can find the touch on the ball, we just can't put the ball in the net and that's the way it is."

The Fire were on top of the league before they started their current losing streak. Since beating the New York Red Bulls 5-1 on May 25, the team has scored just one goal, contributing to the streak. The most recent loss was a 1-0 defeat at FC Dallas this past Sunday.

"I think we gave up an early goal and a bad goal," Chicago coach Denis Hamlett said. "It was just a little too easy after that. The field conditions made it hard and whoever got that first goal was going to sort of sit and look for the counter. To our credit, in the second half, we had a better idea as far as pushing. We kept the ball on the ground and created a couple of chances but we just weren't clinical enough. We gave up a few chances, but that's going to happen when you're trying to push the game for the equalizer."

Fire forward Chad Barrett seems unconcerned about the mini-losing streak.

"It's really not too big of a deal," he said. "We got off to enough of a good start that we can afford to slip up in two games. But if we win these next two games, we're one point behind New England, caught up with them in games and still at the top of the league. We have to know that we have to get as much rest as we can before we go to Chivas."

The Fire (6-4-1) will be without defender Gonzalo Segares, who has been arguably the top defender in the league so far this season, because of his participation with the Cost Rica national team. Also, defender Wilman Conde will probably miss the game with a hamstring injury.

Chivas USA (4-6-2) will be without starting goalkeeper brad Guzan, because of his participation with the U.S. national team, as well as forwards Alecko Eskandarian and Maykel Galindo because of injuries.