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Fire-Dynamo Preview

Aug 8, 2009 - 7:19 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Chicago (8-3-8) at Houston (10-6-5), 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Chicago Fire haven't allowed a goal in MLS play in more than a month, but it's been more than two years since they last earned any points against the Houston Dynamo.

Both clubs will be trying to rebound from losses when they meet in Houston on Sunday, as the Fire hope their stellar road record translates to the end of their four-game losing streak to the Dynamo.

Although Chicago (8-3-8) is coming off a loss on penalty kicks to Mexican club Tigres on Wednesday in the SuperLiga final, the Fire are 3-0-2 in their last five MLS matches and remain in a tight battle with Columbus for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Led by standout goalkeeper Jon Busch, they haven't allowed a tally since a 2-1 win over Colorado on July 4, carrying a scoreless streak of nearly 400 minutes into this contest. The run has been timely considering Chicago's offense took a hit with striker Brian McBride's recent shoulder surgery.

Patrick Nyarko scored in a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake last Saturday.

"If you don't concede goals, you can't lose. It's as easy as that," Fire defender Bakary Soumare said. "We know as long as we keep shutouts, we give our team a chance to get at least one point. If we're able to get three points, that's even better."

But it's been the Dynamo (10-6-5) who've emerged from the last four meetings between these teams with three points each time, outscoring the Fire by a combined 9-2. They won 1-0 at Chicago on June 5, with Stuart Holden scoring in the fourth minute.

The Fire have been better on the road this year, going 5-1-4, but they'll be facing one of the best home teams in the league. Houston is 6-1-3 at Robertson Stadium.

The Dynamo have struggled lately, going 1-3-1 in their last five MLS matches, although they still sit alone atop the West. They'll have to make a quick turnaround from a 1-0 loss at rival FC Dallas on Thursday.

"They had a mid-week game as well, and a pretty competitive one against Tigres, so both of us might be a little leg-weary, but by the same token, it's an important three points for both clubs," Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad told the league's official Web site. "They're a very good team and near the top of the conference, so it's a team we're going to have to be ready for on Sunday."

Onstad and Busch are two of the league's elite goalkeepers. Onstad leads MLS with eight shutouts, while Busch has seven.

Houston's offense is less certain, as it's unclear how big of a role standout striker Brian Ching will play in Sunday's game. Ching was removed after the first half against Dallas as he recovers from injury and a busy international schedule.

The Dynamo will be missing suspended midfielder Brad Davis - the team leader with seven assists - due to suspension, and forward Kei Kamara is questionable with a quadriceps strain.