Chicago hits the road again for Colorado home opener

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04/02/2010 - Commerce City, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Colorado Rapids are coming off a road win to start their Major League Soccer season for the first time in club history, and will be aiming to build on the effort when they host the Chicago Fire in their home opener on Saturday evening at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

"I'm very pleased, of course, to get some points on the board," Rapids coach Gary Smith told MLSsoccer.com after the match.

What made the season opening win even more impressive was the fact that the Rapids had five players making their debuts in Rapids' uniforms, including starting defenders Danny Earls and Marvell Wynne, and midfielder Jeff Larentowicz.

"I have to give credit to the debutants," Smith said. "Danny Earls was away from home and under a lot of pressure but he played very well.

"Marvell was outstanding at center back. He had a five-hour flight, a three- hour time difference and played out of position. I think he was the difference between us getting some points and not. He recovered very well on two or there occasions when mere mortals wouldn't have got there."

The Fire, on the other hand, will be trying to rebound from a 1-0 loss on the road at Red Bull New York in coach Carlos de los Cobos' first match behind an MLS bench.

"I am disappointed, because our team played with order," de los Cobos said after the loss. "This is the one thing that I ask from them all the time. We are trying to transmit to the players to play with some style, I wanted them to put the ball on the ground and try to start structuring our game to a forward attack; they are making progress and it's a shame how we lost the game."

The Fire played a scrappy game at New York, with a brilliant strike by Red Bull midfielder Joel Lindpere being the difference in the evenly-played match.

"Defensively we were solid, we didn't give them much," Fire forward Brian McBride said. "The goal they scored was half a chance and he took it extremely well and that's a credit to them."

McBride and striker partner Patrick Nyarko could be the key against a Rapids backline that showed improvement from a season ago. Collins John could also factor into the discussion up top for the Fire.

"He can have a huge impact for us, he has a great ability of using his body he is very strong, he is powerful and he is a very good finisher, he definitely could help us," McBride said of John. "He always wants the ball and that is great."

The Fire (0-1-0) are relatively healthy, with midfielder John Thorrington, forward Calen Carr and defender Wilman Conde all listed as questionable, and forward Nyarko probable on the club's injury report.

Colorado (1-0-0) will be without midfielder Ciaran O'Brien and forward Ross Schunk, while midfielder Jamie Smith is questionable and defender Julien Baudet and forwards Conor Casey and Omar Cummings - who scored the Rapids' goal last weekend - are probable.

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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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