METROSTARS SUCCUMB TO FIRE, 2-0
Marsch, Nowak Lead Chicago to Victory at Soldier Field

CHICAGO (Saturday, July 10, 1999) - The Chicago Fire, powered by goals by Jesse Marsch and Peter Nowak, coasted to victory over the MetroStars of Major League Soccer before 12,850 at Soldier Field Saturday night.

Chicago got on the board early, on midfielder Jesse Marsch's first goal of the season. Marsch, positioned on the wide right flank, accepted Peter Nowak's long pass and fired a right-footed, sharp-angle shot from about 20 yards out that tipped off defender Ramiro Corrales and slipped between goalkeeper Tim Howard and the left post.

The MetroStars played most of the first half on their heels, defending several Chicago forays sprung by long balls from midfield. Chris Armas hit the right post with a diving header in the 26th minute, Ante Razov saw his left-footed blast hit the woodwork, and Roman Kosecki was unable to put a shot on goal after dribbling past goalkeeper Tim Howard. In addition, the Fire missed a golden three-on-one opportunity in the 37th minute when Razov's shot rolled wide right.

Chicago widened its lead to 2-0 in the 75th minute on a goal from captain Peter Nowak. Chicago defender Lubos Kubik sent a long through ball from the defensive half of the field to a breaking Nowak, who charged in on a two-on-one chance and buried the ball in the goal.

The MetroStars had scoring opportunities in the second half but were unable to capitalize on any. A diving Zach Thornton punched Mark Chung's laser wide in the 60th minute, and Eduardo Hurtado pushed Brian Kelly's service from the left flank wide of the open goal in the 72nd minute.

The club came closest to scoring late in the game, when substitute Petter Villegas and Chung forced Thornton to make a pair of game-saving stops. Mike Duhaney's apparent goal was waved off because of a handball, and with two minutes remaining in the game Nansha Kalonji saw his right-footed shot from 16 yards bounce off the crossbar.

The match marked the sooner-than-expected MLS debut of defender Mohammad Khakpour, who signed with the club earlier this week. The 30-year-old World Cup veteran from Iran played 90 minutes, receiving clearance to play only hours before the match.

"We lacked concentration and Chicago made us pay the penalty," MetroStars Head Coach Bora Milutinovic said. "Give credit to Chicago, who were very organized, but we have to make more of our chances."

Starting Lineups/Statistics:
MetroStars (1-4-5-1)
Tim Howard; Lawrence Lozzano, Mark Semioli, Mohammad Khakpour, Ramiro Corrales (Nansha Kalonji, 81); Mike Duhaney, Tab Ramos (Petter Villegas, 32), Billy Walsh, Brian Kelly, Mark Chung; Eduardo Hurtado.

MetroStars Statistics: Shots: 15 (Chung, Hurtado 4); Shots on Goal: 4 (Chung, 2); Saves 4 (Tim Howard); Fouls Committed: 8; Offsides: 0; Corner Kicks: 5; Cautions: 2 (Khakpour, 12; Semioli, 38); Ejections: none.

Chicago Fire (1-3-5-2)
Zach Thornton; Lubos Kubik, C.J. Brown, Francis Okaroh (Tom Soehn, 72); Chris Armas, Jesse Marsch, Diego Gutierrez, Jerzy Podbrozny, Peter Nowak; Roman Kosecki (Josh Wolff, 57), Ante Razov.

Chicago Fire Statistics: Shots: 13 (Razov, 4); Shots on Goal: 6 (Razov, 2); Saves 4 (Thornton); Fouls Committed: 16; Offsides: 7; Corner Kicks: 1;Cautions: 2 (Armas, 69; Wolff, 75); Ejections: none.

Scoring:
Chicago - Jesse Marsch (1), 4th minute [Peter Nowak, Chris Armas]
Chicago - Peter Nowak (3), 75th minute [Lubos Kubik]

		        1	2	-	F

MetroStars (5-12)	0	0	-	0

Chicago Fire (10-7)	1	1	-	2

Referee: Brian Hall
Senior Assistant Referee: Kermit Quisenberry
Junior Assistant Referee: Cien Aseora
Weather Conditions: Clear, breezy, 70F
Soldier Field - Attendance: 12,850

Notes: Defender Mike Petke was absent from the starting lineup for the first time this season, giving way to Khakpour, who made his MLS debut in the match...The MetroStars were without the services of midfielders Mike Sorber and Miles Joseph, who both remained in New Jersey nursing injuries...Tab Ramos was replaced in the 32nd minute by Petter Villegas after suffering a strained right quadriceps Ramos passed the captainship duties to Mark Semioli...The MetroStars didn't register a shot on goal until the second half.

Next MetroStars Game: The MetroStars meet local A-League rival Staten Island Vipers in a U.S. Open Cup third-round matchup at Rutgers University on Tuesday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. The MetroStars next MLS match will be played after the MLS All-Star break, on July 24 at Giants Stadium against the Miami Fusion at 3:00 p.m.