Chicago squares off with Houston on short rest

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08/20/2010 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Fire travel to take on Houston for their second Major League Soccer fixture in three days on Saturday night.

The Fire are coming off a 2-1 win over New England at Toyota park on Wednesday, and are hoping to build on the effort on the road even though they will be on short rest.

Calen Carr scored the game winner five minutes from time on Wednesday in his first game of the season for the Fire (6-5-6).

"It was great," Carr told mlssoccer.com. "Right after I scored, I just kind of ran and wanted to celebrate with my teammates and then just kind of let it soak in. To get a win and to score in my first game back after what was a really difficult road is a great feeling."

The goal was set up by the recently acquired Freddie Ljungberg, who is making an impact with his new team after being traded from Seattle Sounders FC.

"Freddie is a player that any coach in the league would want," Fire coach Carlos de los Cobos told mlssoccer.com. "I am very happy with him and the commitment he has shown to this team."

The Fire's other designated player, Nery Castillo, lasted only 45 minutes in his first MLS start as he continues to adjust to his new surroundings.

"I still need to work on my fitness and to find my rhythm, but I felt good playing a half," he told mlssoccer.com. "I will admit I got tired, and so I asked to be taken out to give the opportunity to someone who was in better shape than me because we knew this was a must-win game for us."

The Dynamo (5-10-5) are currently in the midst of a 10-game winless run, which makes getting a result on its home field on Saturday that much more important. It is second-from-the-bottom in the Western table, and in real danger of falling to last place.

The team is still adjusting to the transition of losing a number of regulars, especially from the midfield, over the past couple seasons.

"I think in the past we have had guys on the field who had played with each other for five-plus years," Dynamo forward Brian Ching told mlssoccer.com. "This year that isn't the case, and I think the more games we get under our belt, the more positive and the more confident we are going forward."

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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