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Fire, Rapids try to preserve unbeaten streaks

Aug 26, 2011 - 9:51 PM Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Fire head into Saturday's match against the Colorado Rapids with an unusual stigma: trying to build upon a win.

Chicago is not accustomed to winning this year, having won only three regular season games in the 2011 campaign. But it was able to pull off a 2-0 victory over fellow Eastern Conference cellar-dwellers Toronto FC on Aug. 21.

Not only was it was the first win for the Fire since defeating the Columbus Crew 1-0 on June 12, but it also extended the team's unbeaten streak to three games.

"Obviously it's just great to get the win because sometimes the team has played well, but sometimes things just don't go your way," said Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas. "In a game like [vs. Toronto], we looked a little bit tired. It certainly wasn't one of our best games. Some things kind of went our way."

For the third straight match, Klopas started the forward duo of Dominic Oduro and Patrick Nyarko, and Oduro repaid his coach's confidence with a game- winning goal. It was his second goal in three games and his eighth of the year.

"The thing with forwards, you have to have the mentality and confidence," Klopas said. "Sometimes Dominic tries too hard. But I think he has the right mentality. When you miss good chances, you have to be ready to capitalize on the next ones. I think he has that confidence in himself. He opens up a lot of space for our midfielders. He's been a great addition for us."

Colorado, meanwhile, has been one of the most in-form teams in recent MLS play. A 2-2 draw with Chivas USA put a stop to Colorado's three-game winning streak, but it preserved the club's six-match unbeaten streak, as the Rapids have posted a 4-0-2 record over that stretch.

With striker Conor Casey out of the remainder of the season, Colorado's supporting cast of forwards have filled the void admirably.

Caleb Folan currently has the hot hand, nabbing four goals in his last six appearances, while midfielder Jeff Larentowicz has been a revelation this season, tallying a career-high six goals.

The defending MLS Cup Champions currently sit in fourth place in the Western Conference, taking 41 points from 27 matches.

Chicago, leading Major League Soccer with 15 draws this season, has only managed 24 points from 25 matches.

With so many draws throughout the campaign, it is no surprise that the Fire played to a 1-1 draw with the Rapids in their earlier meeting this year. Marco Pappa and Andre Akpan traded goals in the April 30th encounter.