Red Bulls Stampede the Fire

By Todd McClamroch in News on May 25, 2007 7:40PM

The Chicago Fire continued on a downward spiral last night losing to the New York Red Bulls, their fourth straight loss. Seventeen-year-old Red Bull, Jose Altidore, took a break from his busy high school life, he had prom last Saturday and graduates high school this Saturday, to score the eventual game winner against the Fire. His goal came just over one minute into the game. Juan Pablo Angel did not want to be outdone so he scored a goal just two minutes later. The Fire lost last week to FC Dallas but controlled most of the play in that game. Last night they appeared completely out of sorts and their defense continued to look suspect.

The Fire were again without the services of leading scorer Chris Rolfe who is recovering from an ankle injury. The offense continued to sputter without him and was shutout for the first time this season despite 21 shots including 11 on frame. The Red Bulls'(5-1-2, 17 points) victory moves them into a first-place tie with the New England Revs in the Eastern Conference, while the Fire (3-4-1, 10 points) are now below .500 and sit in fourth place.

The Fire have little time to reflect on their recent troubles as there are slated to return home to host Freddy Adu and Real Salt Lake on Sunday at Toyota Park.