| | 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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ALSO SEE
MLS playoffs: Fire open defense of title
Head-to-head: Los Angeles vs. Colorado
Chicago Fire playoff roster
Dallas Burn playoff roster
Major League Soccer playoff schedule
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