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 Wednesday, October 27
Chicago Fire vs. Dallas Burn
 
Associated Press

 Background: Defending champion Chicago comes in bruised physically and mentally, having been knocked down to third place. Dallas has made the playoffs each year, getting knocked out in the first round twice.

Regular season: Burn: 19-13 (2nd place); Fire: 18-14 (3rd place).

Season series: 2-2 (three games decided by shootout).

Schedule

Game 1: Oct. 16: At Dallas 2, Chicago 1

Game 2: Oct. 23: At Chicago 4, Dallas 0

Game 3: Oct. 27: At Dallas 3, Chicago 2.

Analysis: Jason Kreis finally bloomed for Dallas, leading the league in scoring with 18 goals and 15 assists. However, he has just one goal in eight career meetings against Chicago, and none this year. The Burn enter the playoffs having won five straight and haven't failed to score a goal since Aug. 14. Like D.C., Chicago has to get past the disappointment of losing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals, on penalty kicks to Alajuela of Costa Rica. Four players are hobbling: Diego Gutierrez, Jesse Marsch, Francis Okaroh and Tommy Soehn.

 


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Chicago Fire playoff roster

Dallas Burn playoff roster

Major League Soccer playoff schedule