MLS Thursday Night: Chicago Fire v FC Dallas

By: Bob | May 17th, 2007

Week 6 of our newest favorite American tradition gives us all the opportunity to take a look at FC Dallas. Again. This is the third time they are featured in the game of the week. They are like the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Pointyball only without the cheerleaders. Tonight they face a Chicago Fire side that will be losing their MLS Thursday Night virginity.

FC Dallas is 1-1 in their primetime games this season. They currently reside in second place in the utterly mediocre Western Conference standings having won three, lost three and drawn one. The big story coming out of Dallas, other than who shot JR Ewing, is the continued enigma known as Carlos Ruiz. The forward decided that showing up for practice isn’t something someone earning $435,000 needs to do. As a result he has been in coach Steve Morrow’s doghouse and the trade rumors have been swirling.

The Chicago Fire limp into the contest after having their asses handed to them by the expansion Toronto FC last weekend. After a strong start to the season that included a pair of shutouts, the Fire have given up six goals in a pair of losses. The proverbial heat is on coach Dave Sarachan.

Three things to keep an eye on while you consume the drug known as MLS Thursday Night.

1. Brimstone Cup – Started by the clubs’ fans in 2001, the trophy is awarded to the team that does best in head-to-head competition over the course of a season. To date, FC Dallas have captured it four times, Chicago once and one year it was shared. The cup’s name had a bit more relevance back when they were called the Dallas Burn.

2. Dario Sala – The Argentine keeper beat out Trinidad and Tobago international Shaka Hislop as the starter last season for FC Dallas and played very well. He made his first start of the 2007 last weekend after serving a six-game suspension for punching the Colorado Rapids’ Hunter Freeman following a playoff loss last season. Sala got into the scuffle after Freeman taunted Dallas’ fans. Expect Chicago’s boisterous Section 8 to have some fun with him tonight.

3. Witty Signs – Great, ESPN will be showing more crowd shots than shots of the game!

Enjoy the match.