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Dallas hopes to snap skid against Chicago

May 22, 2012 - 9:12 PM Bridgeview, IL (Sports Network) - FC Dallas boss Schellas Hyndman acknowledged "I don't think our depth is strong enough right now," referring to injuries to his squad that has led to a seven-game winless streak in Major League Soccer.

One positive Hyndman can focus on Wednesday, when FC Dallas visits the Chicago Fire, is the Texas club's dominance in the Brimstone Cup.

Created more than a decade ago, the rivalry has been one-sided for a decade as Dallas has retained the cup - given by the two supporters' clubs - each of the last 10 years.

Chicago (4-3-3) will try to get reacquainted with the trophy at Toyota Park in the only meeting with Dallas (3-6-4) this year in MLS play, as the unbalanced schedule has the clubs playing just once this season.

Should the teams also meet in U.S. Open Cup play, that match would also count, but the Fire have just one focus - winning this week's meeting.

Dallas just wants to snap its skid.

Winless since mid-April, and winless on the road, Dallas settled for a 1-1 tie in its last match against the Philadelphia Union.

In that match, a team already riddled with injuries lost Hernan Pertuz in the first half. His injury left even more holes in the lineup, and the suspension, as well as international call-up, of Brek Shea, leaves even more concerns.

The tie at home against Philadelphia, which has just eight points this season, left midfielder Daniel Hernandez upset.

"It doesn't feel good, just getting a point at home," Hernandez said. "You want three points. You want to win every time at home. I thought we played well enough to win.

"It's just same old story. We can't find a way to get three points."

With four losses and a tie on the road this year, it's a story that could just continue for Dallas.

Chicago has dropped points in three of five home matches, however, and manager Frank Klopas also has injury concerns, especially defensively.

Arne Friedrich, a former German international, is sidelined for up to a month and fellow central defender Cory Gibbs is also sidelined. That leaves rookie Austin Berry and Jalil Anibaba in the heart of defense.

The Fire played with the duo against the Portland Timbers last week, but a 2-1 loss ended a three-game unbeaten streak.

Defender Dan Gargan admitted "we haven't really put together a consistent 90 minutes. I think we're looking for a really good 90-minute performance from start to finish."

Anibaba believed it was just important to turn the page and focus on Dallas.

"We have a quick turnaround and so we have to stay positive. We do have Dallas Wednesday," Anibaba said.