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MLS Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire Down New York Red Bulls 5-2

October 24, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


BRIDGEVIEW, ILL. (Oct. 23, 2008) - The Chicago Fire (13-10-7, 46 pts.) defeated the New York Red Bulls (10-11-9, 39 pts.) tonight 5-2 in front of 13,274 fans at TOYOTA PARK. Midfielder Chris Rolfe recorded a hat trick in the first half, while forward Brian McBride and defender Daniel Woolard added two more. With the win, the Fire clinch second place in the East. The Fire will open the playoffs against New England, on the road at Gillette Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2).

- With the win, the Chicago Fire (13-10-7, 46 pts.) clinch second in the Eastern Conference.

- Rolfe opened scoring as midfielder Stephen King chipped an endline pass into the box. Rolfe headed the ball from inside the 6-yard box past Cepero for the one goal advantage.

- Red Bull leveled the score in the 32nd minute with a goal from Juan Pablo Angel. Angel headed in a cross sent by midfielder Dave van den Bergh.

- Rolfe scored his second goal in the 38th minute with a shot from the top of the penalty area. He received the ball after defender Gabriel Cichero attempted to clear the ball from the box with a header.

- Rolfe recorded the hat trick in the 44th minute after receiving a ball from Cuauhtémoc Blanco.

- McBride added another goal in the 53rd minute with the assist credited to Diego Gutierrez and Blanco.

- Woolard scored the 5th goal for the Fire, his first league goal.

- New York scored in the 88th minute with a goal courtesy of Macoumba Kandji, but that would not be enough to overcome the Fire's lead.

- The last time a Fire player scored a hat trick was on June 4, 2005 as Nate Jaqua scored three versus Chivas USA in a 5-2 victory.

- Blanco has had a goal or assist in 5 consecutive games.

- Only four Fire players (Ante Razov, Damani Ralph, Nate Jaqua, and Chris Rolfe) have scored hat tricks. Rolfe is the only player to tally all three in the first half.

- The Fire is second in the league in goals against average (1.10), tied for first in the league with 10 shutouts (KC) and third in the league in goal differential (+10: 43 GF, 33 GA) behind Columbus (+13; 49 GF, 36 GA) and Houston (+13, 44GF, 36 GA)

- The Fire are 9-1-3 when leading at the half.

- The Fire will open the playoffs against New England, on the road at Gillette Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2).

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