[MLS] The best way for a goalscorer on trial to make an impression is hit the net, and former Fulham striker Collins John did just that for the Chicago Fire on Monday. He scored twice in the first half and Stefan Dimitrov matched that output after halftime as the Fire beat Vancouver (USSF Div. 2), 4-1, on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe.

John scored in the 17th and 36th minutes, netting once with each foot to stake Chicago to a 2-0 lead.

Ricardo Sanchez converted a penalty kick to cut the deficit in half before halftime, and as a substitute Dimitrov replaced John on the field and in the scoring summary by polishing off serves from Drew Yates and Mark Blades.

Coach Carlos de los Cobos split up his squad for a doubleheader, with one group facing the Whitecaps and the other playing against Arizona Sahuaros, a local USASA team. John Thorrington converted a penalty kick to give Chicago a 1-0 win. Former MLS and U.S. defender Gregg Vanney played for the Sahuaros, who also sent out ex-Rookie of the Year Mike Duhaney.

The Fire returns to Chicago Thursday for a short break before leaving for Guadalajara, Mexico, on Sunday.

Feb. 15 in Tempe, Ariz.
Chicago 4, Vancouver 1. Goals: John 17, John (Yates) 36, Dimitrov (Yates) 50, Dimitrov (Blades) 58; Sanchez (pen.) 38.
Chicago -- Andrew Dykstra (Sean Johnson, 41); Jonathan Aleman (Pedro Rodriguez, 51), Izzy Iriekpen , Dasan Robinson, O'Brian Woodbine; Jaime Cuesta, Renato Gonzalez (Mark Blades, 41), Jaao Baptista, Corben Bone
(Drew Yates, 22), Calen Carr (Kwame Watson-Siriboe); Collins John (Stefan Dimitrov, 41).
Vancouver -- Dan Pelc; Chris Williams, Greg Janicki (Luca Bellisomo, 48), Nelson Akwari , Takashi Hirano ; Justin Moose (Nizar Khalfan, 53), Ricardo Sanchez (Phillipe Davies, 48), Ansu Toure, Martin Nash (Ethan Gauge, 58); Marlon James (Cornelius Stewart, 53), Zourab Tsiskaridze (Alex Semenets, 41).

Chicago 1, Arizona Sahuaros 0. Goal: Thorrington (pen.) 38.
Chicago -- Jon Busch; Krzysztof Krol, Wilman Conde (C.J. Brown, 41), Steven Kinney, Tim Ward; Logan Pause, Marco Pappa (Patrick Nyarko, 41), Justin Mapp (Baggio Husidic, 65), John Thorrington (Peter Lowry), Julio Martinez; Brian McBride.
Arizona Sahuaros -- Brad Swenby; Jake Schlemker, Greg Vanney, Andy Hoffman, Mike Duhaney; Skelly Keller, Greg Parris (Mitch Garcia), Matthew Hall (Tyler Reinhardt), Mike Munoz (Matt Armstrong); Brian Thames (Miguel Abascal), Dominic Pappas (David Cameron).