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Unbeaten Fire hope to have Blanco vs. Wizards

Apr 17, 2009 - 10:58 PM By Nicolino DiBenedetto Stats Writer

Kansas City (2-2-0) at Chicago (2-0-2), 8:30 p.m. EDT

BRIDGEVIEW, Illinois (AP) -- The Chicago Fire are looking to start a season unbeaten in five games for the first time. They could get major help in their efforts if Cuauhtemoc Blanco can return to the lineup against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday night.

The Fire (2-0-2) remained unbeaten last Saturday, rallying three times to earn a 3-all tie at San Jose behind goals from Marco Pappa, Brian McBride and Chris Rolfe. Their start matches a club record set in 2007, when it went 3-0-1 before losing to New England in the Eastern Conference final.

"It's a long season, and we're four games into our season," Fire coach Denis Hamlett said. "We try to make the best decisions to put the right guys on the field to give us a chance to win, and so far we've done that. We're 2-0-2 and three of those of those games have been on the road, so I'll take that any day."

Hamlett may have Blanco available to start against the Wizards (2-2-0) after recovery from a knee injury has limited him to 76 minutes in three matches off the bench. Despite being used in that role, the Mexican playmaker still has a goal and an assist.

Blanco, who had seven goals and a team-high 11 assists last year, appeared to be effective last Saturday, assisting on McBride's goal after entering the game to start the second half.

"He's getting his form, his timing," Hamlett said. "It's not easy when you expect a guy who hasn't played games to all of a sudden to be thrown into a game and be sharp. It's just not fair."

Blanco has two goals and two assists in five games against Kansas City.

With Blanco being used on a limited basis, Pappa has emerged as a key part of Chicago's midfield with two goals and two assists. The Guatemalan international has found the back of the net in each of the last two matches.

The Fire are 19-9-6 all-time against the Wizards, including a 13-2-1 mark at home. However, they went 0-1-2 last season, including a 1-0 defeat at Toyota Park on April 20.

Kansas City is looking to match its win total on the road from all of last year after beating Seattle 1-0 last Saturday. The club finished 2-8-5 as the visitor in 2008.

"It's about accumulating points for us, like every team in Major League Soccer, and getting yourself into playoff contention," Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said. "We were a team last year that didn't do as well as we would've liked on the road. That was a point of emphasis going into this season. For us to get three points on the road, that's a good sign."

Davy Arnaud has been the focal point of the Wizards' offensive play with a team-high three goals and an assist. All of his goals have come from long-range shots, including one from 35 yards against the Sounders.

"I had the ball with some space in front of me and I took a touch and the coaches are always encouraging us to shoot," said Arnaud, who had a career-high seven goals last season. "I tried to hit something hard and on target and make the 'keeper decide."

Arnaud has a goal and four assists in 17 games against Chicago.