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Chicago burning to end extended winless run vs. S.J.

May 27, 2011 - 3:06 PM Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Fire host the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer action at Toyota Park on Saturday.

The Fire will be gunning to end their extended winless streak when they host the 'Quakes, who are unbeaten in three, including winning two straight.

The Fire's most recent league result, a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia, extended their winless streak to eight games.

"There's nothing we can do but keep our heads up," Fire forward Dominic Oduro said. "We still have a lot of games to go so you just got to keep your head up and try to fight for the little points ahead of you. Right now, we're among the bottom on the table but at the same time we have a lot of games to go. We just have to reach out for the points and keep trying to make the playoffs."

Chicago goalkeeper Jon Conway believes his team needs to play with more urgency to snap out of its extended slump.

"To be honest with you, I think we're better off playing anxiously," he said. "There are times when we've taken goals and been slapped in the face, and then we come back out with vigor and we're moving the ball crisper to get back into the game."

San Jose's two-game wining streak was aided by the fact that both games were at home. The club is 0-1-1 in its last two road fixtures, and coach Frank Yallop knows how important these early-season encounters are, especially when playing a struggling opponent.

"These games you have to win, and I said at the start of the season we've got to be good at home," Yallop said. "We started slowly at home, but it's nice to get back-to-back wins and score some goals here at Buck Shaw. I think that the signs that we are getting a lot better come with every game."

The 'Quakes will have to get it done without midfielders Simon Dawkins and Andre Luiz, who are expected to be unavailable with injuries. Defender Tim Ward is also listed as doubtful and forward Scott Sealy probable.

The Fire will be without midfielders Patrick Nyarko and Mike Banner, and defender Steven Kinney, while midfielder Marko Maric is doubtful and defender Josip Mikulic and midfielder Michael Videira is probable.