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DALLAS (Ticker) -- Ariel Graziani had a pair of second-half goals as the Dallas Burn rallied to defeat the Chicago Fire, 4-2, in the season opener. The latest edition of the bitter rivalry featured a pair of red cards and a stunning debut from MLS' newest signing, Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoitchkov, who scored both of the Fire's goals. "I'm not surprised by the way I played, but we lost so that was bad," Stoitchkov said. "My team is disappointed, and I am disappointed but the first game is very tough." Graziani scored twice in the second half and defender Eric Dade had a goal and two assists for his first three MLS points. The game was a rematch of last year's thrilling Western Conference semifinals, when Dallas eliminated Chicago in three games, ending the Fire's hopes of repeating as champions. Fire midfielder Dema Kovalenko was suspended in that series for a dangerous slide tackle from behind which broke the leg of Dallas' Brandon Pollard. Dade, a three-year MLS veteran, tallied the game-winner in the 79th minute, scoring off a nice feed from midfielder Oscar Pareja. Dade timed a nice run down the right-hand side, barely beating the offside trap to break in alone. The defender beat Fire goalkeeper Greg Sutton with a low hard shot just inside the right post. Stoitchkov had a pair of first-half goals, instantly making his mark in his first MLS appearance. The Bulgarian legend beat Dallas goalkeeper Matt Jordan from 12 yards out in the 14th minute, heading in Chris Armas' pass to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. Dallas answered in the 27th minute, as 1999 MLS Most Valuable Player Kreis picked up right where he left off last season. He headed in Chad Deering's free kick, knotting the score at 1-1. In 1999, Kreis became the first 15-15 man in MLS history, notching 18 goals and 15 assists. Stoitchkov sent the Fire to the locker room with a 2-1 lead as the 5-9 striker broke free of the defense for his second goal. Burn defender Richard Farrer gave away the ball in his own end and Fire defender Lubos Kubik threaded a through ball past an unorganized defense to put Stoitchkov in alone on Jordan. The veteran striker easily beat the 'keeper. Sutton misplayed a long shot by Deering early in the second half, opening the door for Dallas to tie the game. Deering had played a long ball from Dade into the box and got off a hard shot. Sutton could not corral the rebound and Graziani swept in to keep the ball alive, easily slotting it into the back of the net. Things then got heated in the 61st minute when midfielders Serg Daniv of Dallas and Peter Nowak of Chicago were sent off with red cards. Daniv became entangled with Nowak, who kicked at the young Burn midfielder. Daniv threw an elbow in retaliation before several others joined the skirmish. Graziani added the insurance goal in the 85th minute, running onto a long pass from Dade. Chicago defender C.J. Brown misplayed the pass, allowing Graziani to storm in untouched and beat Sutton from a sharp angle. Chicago played without injured 'keeper Zach Thornton, the 1998 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year who is nursing a torn calf.
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