As the rumour mill came to a screeching halt regarding Brian McBride leaving Chicago Fire for Fulham, the striker himself didn't waste any time getting back to business on the pitch. The Chicago Fire kicked off their 2009 campaign with a 5-0 win in a preseason scrimmage against the University of Central Florida (UCF) on Field 1 of the IMG Academies facility in Bradenton, Fla. The Fire played varied lineups in three separate 30-minute intervals.

The Fire opened scoring in the 25th minute with a goal courtesy of McBride. Defender Gonzalo Segares fed a ball to midfielder Justin Mapp, who made a cross from the left corner into the right side of the box. McBride placed a header just inside the left post for the game-winning goal.

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