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Saturday, Oct. 16 5:00pm ET
Defending champs drop playoff opener | |||||
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BOX SCORE
DALLAS (AP) -- Forward Ariel Graziani scored Dallas' first goal, then assisted on the game-winner Saturday as the Burn beat the Chicago Fire 2-1 in the opening game of the best-of-3 MLS Western Conference semifinals. Chicago's defense of its MLS Cup '98 title got off to a rocky start as the Fire lost its playoff opener after cruising through last year's postseason with five consecutive victories. Graziani scored in the 52nd minute and got an assist on Mark Santel's goal in the 75th minute. Second-half substitute John Ball scored his first MLS goal four minutes later to bring Chicago within 2-1. A closely played first half ended with neither side registering a shot on goal, although Fire midfielder Paul Dougherty, a surprise starter for regular Jerzy Podbrozny, saw his shot in the 11th minute hit the crossbar. Chicago will play host to Game 2 on Saturday at Soldier Field. The winner of this series will advance to the Western Conference finals to face the winner of the Los Angeles-Colorado series, which begins Sunday in the Rose Bowl. | ALSO SEE Soccer Scoreboard Head-to-head: Chicago vs. Dallas
1999 Major League Soccer playoff schedule
RECAPS Dallas 2 Chicago 1
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