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Chicago hopes to reverse fortunes against Seattle

Jun 3, 2011 - 4:27 PM Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Fire will look to turn the page on a disappointing start to the season on Saturday as interim coach Frank Klopas takes charge of the team for the first time when they host Seattle Sounders FC at Toyota Park.

Former coach Carlos de los Cobos was fired on Monday after guiding the club to just one win in 11 games to start the season, and he will be replaced by Klopas, who has been the technical director at the club for the past four seasons and who is likely to take over the coaching role for the rest of the season.

"My passion and drive for this club to persevere through this transition is my top priority," said Klopas. "I believe in this team, the players and the badge and will work tirelessly to ensure the success of the team going forward."

For starters, Klopas can try to get the team a win, something the Fire haven't done in their last nine games.

The club has drawn five of its last six matches, including a 2-2 stalemate with the San Jose Earthquakes last time out as a goal from Cory Gibbs in the final 10 minutes helping Chicago claim a point.

Seattle has won two of its last three games and is coming off a 2-1 win at Real Salt Lake that snapped the club's 29-game home unbeaten streak.

"It's something we're proud of," Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said of putting an end to RSL's streak. "It's something we talked about before the game - that we wanted to try and be the team that ended the streak. RSL has been a great team at home and they're a very, very good team, so we're very happy with the fact that we were able to win."

The Sounders have battled injury issues throughout the season, but the club got some strong contributions from players like Mike Fucito and Lamar Neagle in the win over Salt Lake.

With the game still scoreless, Fucito, who has appeared in only five matches, was pulled down by RSL defender Jamison Olave as he attempted to break in on goal, earning Olave a red card.

And it was Neagle, who has yet to start a game for Seattle this season, who scored in the 84th minute to put his team up 2-0 after he entered the match in the first half to replace the injured Alvaro Fernandez.

Saturday's game marks the second meeting between the two teams this season, with Seattle owning a 2-1 win over the Fire in April, while Chicago will be trying to snap a five-game winless streak against the Sounders all-time.