The Chicago Fire put their undefeated preseason streak to the test when they take on Chivas USA today at 2:00 PM CST. Live audio of the game will be available with Fire Communications Manager Brendan Hannan and Team Writer Jeff Crandall teaming up on the play-by-play. Per Crandall, this will be the 4th time the combo has called a game.

The midfield. Currently viewed as the strength of the team. But is it really set right now? Let's break it down:

Defensive Midfielders: Pavel Pardo, Logan Pause, Daniel Paladini, Mike Videira

This is clearly the strength of the midfield. Pavel Pardo is in a class by himself.

The Chicago Fire take on Honduran side Real España in an international preseason friendly at New Orleans' Tad Gormley Stadium today, Saturday, February 4, at 5:00 p.m. CST. This whole trip has been in conjunction with the Youth Development Program, the Chicago Fire Juniors - Louisiana. Earlier today, fans had the chance to meet and greet Fire players at three CFJ-LA campuses: Audubon Park, City Park and Lions Park.

By DAVID GUBALA

The Chicago Fire are now a good two weeks into their first phase of preseason camp and have been making all of the necessary adjustments as the start of the new 2012 campaign nears. Part of the preseason activity, though, has included shooting down rumors of a superstar Designated Player acquisition.

The Chicago Fire had no trouble dispatching Florida Gulf Coast University 3-0 in their second game of the 2012 preseason. Marco Pappa scored a goal in the 7th minute and assisted on Dominic Oduro's goal in the 21st minute. Orr Barouch made it 3-0 in the 60th minute of the game on a Corben Bone corner kick.

The Vancouver Whitecaps added a veteran fullback with loads of World Cup experience to his name by signing South Korean defender Lee Young-Pyo.

According to reports, the 34-year-old Lee is joining the club on a one-year deal with an option for one more. It remains to be seen on which side of the field Lee will play for first-year manager Martin Rennie, with left backs Jordan Harvey and Alain Rochat already in the fold.

Dan Gargan -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
The Chicago Fire and other Major League Soccer teams submitted their 11-player protected lists Monday in preparation for Wednesday's MLS Expansion Draft for the Montreal Impact.
Among some of the Fire's noteworthy players left unprotected are forward Diego Chaves, midfielder Daniel Paladini, and defenders Dan Gargan, Josip Mikulic and Yamith Cuesta.

Chicago came very close to the post season, now they have to focus on saving the right 11 for the expansion draft. (Getty Images)

I took a day or so off from writing these lists, but I hope to get to at least two today.

Today, we are focusing on the Chicago Fire. Frank Klopas' team struggled out of the gate due to injuries and youth but once former manager Carlos de los Cobos was shown the door, the Fire turned things around in the summer and ended up being a decent team for 2012.

Fire's Frank Klopas -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire have not exactly established continuity with their head coach over the past five seasons. Five different coaches have been at the helm since the start of the 2007 season.
With the Fire's 2011 season in the books, the focus once again turns toward the sidelines, where Fire technical director and interim head coach Frank Klopas posted an 8-5-10 record after replacing Carlos de los Cobos.

Sebastian Grazzini and Logan Pause
-- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
The turn of events during the Chicago Fire's comeback win over D.C. United on Saturday brought out a supreme sense of adulation on one end, and dismay and shock on the other side.
Major League Soccer must be loving the way things have turned out heading into the final week of the regular season.

I was at RFK Stadium last night. I was at RFK Stadium last year when the Fire won on the backs of two goals after the 80th minute. I certainly did not expect to see a repeat two-late-goal performance after Dwayne De Rosario converted his 89th minute penalty kick. A fairly blah game turned into a story for the ages when Sebastian Grazzini scored a scorcher of a goal and Diego Chaves finished D.

Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

If you had spoken with D.C. United coach Ben Olsen this past offseason and told him centerback Ethan White, a 20-year-old Homegrown Player, would start 19 matches his rookie year, he "probably wouldn't have believed you.

Seattle had an answer for the few riddles Chicago threw at it. The Fire could have given up 3 or 4 goals as the Sounders hit the post twice on offense. That isn't to say Sean Johnson had a poor night. In fact, he made six saves overall including some lightning fast reflex moves we have come to expect but are still extraordinary.

Previewing this match it is clear that the Chicago Fire are a different team than they were during the last meeting. Both teams certainly have injury concerns to key players, but the facet of the game that will be most effected is different. One can consider that there are four portions of any game, in ways these are what determined the old three band nomenclature of formations.

The most intriguing thing is that both teams number 10s are gameday decisions. Neither Seattle Sounders winger Mauro Rosales nor center attacking mid Sebastian Grazzini of the Chicago Fire played in their last match due to injuries. Both though are on a path that could have them making a return to the starting XI for the Cup Final.

On October 4, 2011, head coach Frank Klopas will lead the Chicago Fire to their 6th ever appearance in a U.S. Open Cup Final. This 2011 U.S. Open Cup journey started over 6 months ago in Peoria. Since then, a total of 25 players have been used in 4 different stadiums in 3 different time zones for a total of 5 advancing results.

You remember the Chicago Fire, right? Lots of ties. No offense to speak of. Mired in another lost season. Well, put all of that out of your mind, because the team standing in the Seattle Sounders' way of a third-straight U.S. Open Cup title is a lot different from that one.

Unless you follow the blow-by-blow of the Major League Soccer season, you could be excused for not realizing just how good the Fire have been playing over the course of the last couple months.

Chicago Fire (7-8-16) vs. Houston Dynamo (10-9-13) October 1, 2011 -- Robertson Stadium Attendance: 17,544

Scoring Summary:

HOU -- Colin Clark 4 (unassisted) 33
CHI -- Dominic Oduro 12 (Baggio Husidic 2) 43

Chicago Fire -- Sean Johnson, Michael Videira, Jalil Anibaba, Cory Gibbs, Gonzalo Segares, Logan Pause, Daniel Paladini, Baggio Husidic (Pavel Pardo 67), Corben Bone (Marco Pappa 73), Dominic Oduro (Patrick Nyarko 51), Diego Chaves.

Chicago tied 1-1 with Houston in a fairly ho-hum game of soccer this afternoon. Colin Clark opened the scoring for Houston on some corner kick madness in the 33rd minute. Ten minutes later, Dominic Oduro burned Bobby Boswell on defense and got the ball past goaltender Tally Hall on a shot that required a lot of skill.

Marco Pappa scored a hat trick starting with a goal in the 9th minute of play. Less than a minute after his first goal, Daniel Paladini provoked Kyle Beckerman into a vicious headbutt that lead to Beckerman receiving a red card. The quick Fire score and Beckerman red card gave the game the same momentum as a red card/penalty kick scenario.

Frank Klopas is going with a heavy lineup for tonight's game:

Sean Johnson; Dan Gargan, Josip Mikulic, Cory Gibbs, Gonzalo Segares; Marco Pappa, Pavel Pardo, Logan Pause; Daniel Paladini; Patrick Nyarko, Dominic Oduro

The U.S. Open Cup Final isn't until Tuesday so there's no reason to worry about overextending these guys.

I like this thing called winning. The Fire got things going early and never looked back against hated rival New England. The only hiccups came late in the game when things were just about out of reach. Nervous moments not withstanding, this was one of the better Fire outings all season.

Logan Pause got things started off right with a great ball in the 5th minute to spring Patrick Nyarko free on goal.

Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Dan Gargan, Josip Mikulic, Jalil Anibaba, Gonzalo Segares; Marco Pappa, Pavel Pardo, Logan Pause ©; Sebastian Grazzini (Baggio Husidic 25'); Patrick Nyarko (Diego Chaves 66'), Dominic Oduro (Orr Barouch 77')

Substitutes not used: Jon Conway, Yamith Cuesta, Corben Bone, Daniel Paladini
New England Revolution: Matt Reis; Kevin Alston, Franco Coria, Darrius Barnes, Chris Tierney; Ryan Guy, Benny Feilhaber, Shalrie Joseph ©, Kenny Mansally (Kheli Dube 57'); Milton Caraglio, Zach Schilawski (Diego Fagundez 71')
Substitutes not used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Otto Loewy, Zak Boggs, Pat Phelan, Ryan Kinne
Scoring Summary
CHI - Sebastian Grazzini (penalty kick) 5'
CHI - Dominic Oduro (Sebastian Grazzini) 9'
CHI - Patrick Nyarko (unassisted) 30'
NE - Ryan Guy (unassisted) 90'
NE - Ryan Guy (Milton Caraglio, Diego Fagundez) 92'+
Misconduct Summary

NE - Franco Coria (Caution; Reckless Foul) 27'
NE - Darrius Barnes (Caution; Dissent) 46'+
CHI - Dan Gargan (Caution; Delaying a Restart) 76'

CHI - Baggio Husidic (Caution; Tactical Foul) 86'

Referee: Michael Kennedy

Referee's Assistants: Kermit Quisenberry, Paul Scott

4th Referee: Jasen Anno

Attendance: 14,567

Highlights and quotes after the break

Highlights

Quotes

Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire interim head coach
On the result:
"In the second half, being up 3-0 and tough stretch ahead of us, I had the opportunity to give some guys a break and get everyone involved in the game.

By DAVE GUBALA

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill -- The Chicago Fire knew they couldn't afford anything less than a win on Sunday afternoon and started the match like a team intent on securing all three points.

The Fire did just that after jumping out to an early 3-0 lead and fending off a late New England rally to post a 3-2 victory at Toyota Park on Sunday afternoon.

Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause, New York Red Bull midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy, former Chivas USA defender Jason Hernandez and current Chivas USA utility man Michael Lahoud with St. Jude patient Sidney.

Chivas USA will mark Goals for St. Jude Week tonight at its home game against Toronto at Home Depot Center.

Fire captain Logan Pause -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- From Chivas de Guadalajara to Chivas USA, the latter opponent has a bearing on the Chicago Fire's distant postseason hopes.
Chicago hosts Chivas USA this Saturday at Toyota Park, and the team is coming off a 1-0 international friendly defeat to Guadalajara on Wednesday.

Fire captain Logan Pause -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- From Chivas de Guadalajara to Chivas USA, the latter opponent has a bearing on the Chicago Fire's distant postseason hopes.
Chicago hosts Chivas USA this Saturday at Toyota Park, and the team is coming off a 1-0 international friendly defeat to Guadalajara on Wednesday.

The Major League Soccer Players Union has released their end of summer update on players' salaries. If you have wondered how much Sebastian Grazzini and Pavel Pardo are making, we have the answer and a full update to the Chicago Fire salary picture below. At least, we kind of/probably do. Let me explain after the break.

By THOMAS FLOYD

When Freddy Adu, fresh off a breakthrough performance in the Gold Cup, signed with the Philadelphia Union last month, the 22-year-old playmaker was seen as the key missing cog for a team with lofty playoff aspirations.

But for a player whose club playing time in Europe has been sporadic at best over the past few years, gaining the fitness to contribute on a consistent basis has been a challenge early in his second MLS stint.

Fire's Dan Gargan -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Defender Dan Gargan was a bit of a mystery man when he was traded to the Chicago Fire from Toronto FC on July 28.
Chicago appeared to have its defensive group set in stone. Rookie Jalil Anibaba and team captain Logan Pause manned the right back position, and Gonzalo Segares has been the season-long fixture at left back.

Fire defender Dan Gargan (C) congratulated
by Logan Pause (R) and Marco Pappa (L)
-- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Toyota Park scoreboard was not a mirage.
The Chicago Fire finally found the win column for the first time in more than two months as they defeated Toronto FC, 2-0, on Sunday in front of 12,020 at Toyota Park.

Chicago's Strategy Frank Klopas' side has been significantly upgraded in midfield upon signing the defensive minded Pavel Pardo and the attacking playmaker Sebastian Grazzini. These two players are very comfortable on the ball, possess a wide passing range and have the technical ability to play with a man on their back.

The last time D.C. United came to Toyota Park was on October 16, 2010. It was Brian McBride's last home game and it turned out to be C.J. Brown's last home game too. 306 days is a long time but it feels even longer ago, more distant. The lineup for that game was Andrew Dykstra; Steve Kinney, Wilman Conde, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Deris Umanzor; Bratislav Ristic, Logan Pause, Peter Lowry, Marco Pappa; Brian McBride, Patrick Nyarko.

Patrick Nyarko (left) -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
The Chicago Fire had a rare halftime lead on the New York Red Bulls. But as the trend has been all season, Chicago had to settle for a 2-2 draw on Saturday as the Fire tied an MLS record with their 14th stalemate of the season at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.

The Chicago Fire have now played all four of their scheduled games against the 2011 MLS Expansion teams. Their final record against the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps is 0 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses while getting outscored 9-5. Each expansion team even defeated the Fire 4-2 at one point.

Logan Pause (left) -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire so often have had to quickly put the past behind them to rebound from a poor effort. But Sunday's road loss to the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps appears to have lingered just a bit more than usual.

Logan Pause (left) -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire so often have had to quickly put the past behind them to rebound from a poor effort. But Sunday's road loss to the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps appears to have lingered just a bit more than usual.

Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIphotos.com

By THOMAS FLOYD

Through a couple twists of fate, Saturday's match between D.C. United and the Vancouver Whitecaps will be an unlikely clash between a mentor and his onetime apprentice.

Vancouver interim coach Tom Soehn will be matching wits on the touchline with Chad Ashton, his top assistant when he coached United from 2007 to 2009.

Wow! Where to begin....

The Fire knew that Sunday's match was a must win. Instead of winning though, the team had their worst performance of the season, losing 4-2 in a game full of mistakes from both teams. The match was a terrible advertisement for MLS with dozens of misplaced passes, terrible refereeing decisions, and little creative play.

Logan Pause -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The theme around the Chicago Fire locker room during the midweek was toward forging ahead in the midst of a disappointing outcome.
The players certainly have had to cope with quite a few, and their most recent effort was out-playing the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday, only to manage a 1-1 draw.