Dallas Shuts Out Chicago

Carlos Bocanegra and Evan Whitfield scored Thursday night and the Chicago Fire beat the Dallas Burn, 2-0, in the opening game of a first-round MLS playoff series.

A crowd of 8,314 was at Soldier Field for the first MLS game since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

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Luis Hernandez resurfaced Thursday, showing up for the Galaxy’s morning training session at USC after being absent and unheard from for two days.

The Mexican striker, who is nursing a hip injury, met with Coach Sigi Schmid after practice and explained that he had returned to Mexico City to attend to “personal business,” according to a team spokesman.

Hernandez will be fined an undisclosed amount for skipping training Tuesday, the Galaxy said.

If fit, he probably will remain a starter for Sunday’s MLS playoff game against New York/New Jersey at the Rose Bowl.

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The MetroStars put backup goalkeeper D.J. Countess on injured reserve because of instability in his right shoulder.

Countess probably will miss the playoffs.