Sporting Kansas City 2 - 3 Fire
Final
  for this game

Ochocinco-less Kansas City visits Chicago

Mar 25, 2011 - 5:32 PM Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - Sporting Kansas City started its season with a win, but with the Chad Ochocinco circus in town, it remains to be seen if he is a distraction as the club prepares to visit the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ochocinco joined KC on Wednesday on trial, as the NFL star looks for something to do with his time with the league currently in a lockout. On Friday, his trial was extended through Monday.

Although Ochocinco will play no part in this week's Major League Soccer match at Toyota Park, he does hope to play a role for Kansas City, as he said soccer "has always been my number one sport."

"We'll see as the next couple days go," Sporting manager Peter Vermes said, as to whether Ochocinco is good enough to earn a spot with the club.

In the meantime, Sporting will try to build on the debut of Mexican Omar Bravo and his two goals in a 3-2 victory at Chivas USA last weekend. SuperDraft pick C.J. Sapong also scored for KC, notching his first MLS goal in the opening two minutes of his debut.

"Scoring three goals away from home is a big thing," Vermes said.

With Sporting starting the year on a 10-game road trip, Vermes needs Bravo and company to continue to find the goal. Kansas City had just four shots on goal, but scored on three of those attempts.

Chicago opened with a good result at MLS Cup runner-up FC Dallas last weekend, but could have easily earned a win instead of a 1-1 draw. Diego Chavas scored in the 17th minute, but Dallas equalized one minute later.

Fire coach Carlos de los Cobos will take the road point, especially at Dallas, but after Brek Shea was sent off 10 minutes into the second half, the Fire did not capitalize with a man advantage for 35 minutes.

"I think it is a little bit disappointing that we were up a man for about 30 minutes and didn't win but we need to keep it in perspective," captain Logan Pause told MLSsoccer.com. "Coming here and getting a point is fantastic."






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