Fire top Vancouver in preseason game

PHOENIX -- The Chicago Fire Soccer Club defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-1 at the Arizona State Women's Soccer Stadium, on a pair of two-goal performances from Fire forwards Collins John and Stefan Dimitrov. The 4-1 win over the Whitecaps marked the Fire's first victory of their 2010 preseason campaign.
John, currently on trial with the Fire, scored his first goal in a Fire uniform in the 17th minute. Taking advantage of a short clearance, Joao Baptista (Tigana) found an open John in the Vancouver penalty area, John collected the pass with his back to net, turned and fired home a right-footed blast to the far post past Vancouver goalkeeper Dan Pelc.

In the 36th minute John rounded out his strong first half with his second goal of the game. A deflected ball off of a Drew Yates shot attempt fell to John in the penalty area. The former Fulham forward struck the ball with his left foot off of a half-volley and buried the ball into the corner of the net to give the Fire a 2-0 advantage.

The Whitecaps pulled one back to bring the Fire lead to one with the first half coming to a close. Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ricardo Sanchez stepped up and converted a penalty kick in the 38th minute to tighten the score to 2-1 heading into halftime.

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