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Fire face Red Bulls in home opener

Apr 4, 2009 - 7:06 PM By Nicolino DiBenedetto Stats Writer

New York (0-1-1) at Chicago (1-0-1), 3:00 p.m. EDT

BRIDGEVIEW, Illinois (AP) -- The Chicago Fire are off to another strong start, getting four points from a pair of road games.

They'll open their home schedule Sunday looking to continue their dominance of their Eastern Conference rival, the New York Red Bulls and former Fire coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

The Fire (1-0-1) opened the season with a 3-1 win at Dallas on March 21, and followed that up a week later with a 1-1 tie at D.C. Chicago has received goals from four different players.

"We took a point on the road so we're happy with that and look forward to going home," said Fire coach Denis Hamlett, who guided Chicago to a 2-0-1 mark to start 2008 in his first year at the helm.

The Fire have a chance to replicate that start against New York (0-1-1), a team they swept in last season's three-game series by outscoring it 11-3. They're also 4-0-1 against the Red Bulls at Toyota Park, including a 5-2 victory there on Oct. 23.

Osorio lost all three games against Chicago after breaking his contract with the club prior to last season, citing family issues in taking an offer to coach New York. He led the Fire to the 2007 East final after being hired in midseason, and has been the focal point of ridicule by Chicago fans.

Chicago, which is 3-0-1 in its last four home openers, might have Chris Rolfe and Cuauhtemoc Blanco back in the lineup after they were used off the bench in the first two games.

Rolfe has been limited to 27 minutes this season due to a stomach virus, while Blanco has a goal in 31 total minutes as he attempts to get fit following a knee injury.

Both players have been instrumental in the Fire's success against the Red Bulls. Rolfe netted four goals - including a hat trick on Oct. 23 - against New York last season, while Blanco has two goals and five assists in four meetings.

The Fire will also have defenders Gonzalo Segares (Costa Rica) and Bakary Soumare (Mali) back after the duo missed the tie with United due to national team commitments.

The Red Bulls, who haven't won in Chicago since May 14, 2005, are looking to rebound from a pair of disappointing results to start 2009 following their surprise run to the MLS Cup final in November.

New York appeared headed to its first win of the season on March 28, but gave up a goal in the final minute to settle for a 1-1 tie with New England. That came after a stunning 3-0 loss at Seattle on March 19.

"I just told the guys I felt sorry for them," Osorio said about last week's loss. "After a hard-fought game, we basically gave that point away. I did say that we competed really well against a very tough team."

The Red Bulls, whose only goal in two games was an own goal by Revolution defender Jay Heaps, could use some offensive production from forward Juan Pablo Angel.

The Colombian forward has been held to six shots - one on goal - through two games after netting 33 in 47 games over the last two years.

Angel has five goals in six games against Chicago.