After the Fire last met Western Conference leaders Chivas USA in MLS action on May 28th, Chicago was the talk of the league. Not only had the Fire just pulled off a thrilling 3-2 come from behind victory over Chivas - who at the time were MLS leaders - but they also extended their season-opening unbeaten streak to 11 games. The Fire had built a comfortable lead in the Eastern Conference and appeared to be on the fast-track to a successful season.
Since that early summer night in L.A. though, the Fire's campaign has taken a turn for the worse. Injuries, national team call-ups and Bakary Soumare's midseason departure decimated Chicago's roster and the team struggled, compiling a disappointing 5-7-6 record in their 18 league matches since.
Now, with one regular season game remaining, the second-place Fire is still looking to qualify for the playoffs and they need a win or a tie against postseason bound Chivas USA Thursday night at Toyota Park to clinch.
"Our guys know what's at stake," said Fire Head Coach Denis Hamlett. "I think our guys are excited. We're at home, it's the last game of the regular season and if we can take care of business we can enjoy the weekend and figure out who we play in the first round of the playoffs."
The Fire, who has gone winless in their last six matches, has had Chivas's number this year, going 2-0-0 against them in all competitions.
"Obviously they're a very good team," Hamlett said of Chivas USA, who are part of a three way tie atop the Western Conference table. "They're a very good passing team...and they have some big dangerous players. We have to make sure that we take away their space and that we make it hard for them."
Hamlett said that the Fire's veteran players should help diffuse any pressure the team may be feeling ahead of the crucial match.
"We've got guys who have played in World Cups, [Brian McBride has even] played in a game where his team needed to win to stay in the English Premier League so we have guys on our team who have [been in pressure packed situations before]," Hamlett said. "We feel we have enough veteran guys and enough experienced young guys that are ready for this challenge and are ready to step up."
Another interesting storyline surrounding this game (as if it needed another one...) is the referee. Terry Vaughn will be the man in the middle for Thursday night's match. That's the same Terry Vaughn that called three penalty kicks, handed out 11 yellow cards and one red in the May 28th meeting between the two clubs.
"Whenever you play a team that's physical you have to make sure you match them on that end," Hamlett said. "With all the games coming down to the wire... we have to make sure we're ready for that. As far as the referee goes, after last weekend's situation were kind of just blocking out the referees, but at the end of the day we just go out and compete and play hard and hopefully we'll get a call here or there."
Ok, well I've had enough of setting this one up. Which means it's time for the...
Prediction
I'll go ahead and say the Fire and Chivas play to a 1-1 draw. Cuauhtemoc Blanco gets the goal for the Fire from the penalty spot and Maykel Galindo will net for Chivas.
Commenter DJ won last week's prediction contest, correctly forecasting a 0-0 draw at New England. The win makes it two in a row for dj, who very well could be leading the overall prediction standings. See if you can beat him this week.
Random Note
Former-Fire midfielder Chris Armas will be inducted into the "Ring of Fire" Hall of Fame at halftime. Armas played with the club from its inception in 1998 to 2007 and ranks second all-time in assists for the team.
10 Comments
GoFire said:
I'm going with the Fire in an exciting 2-0 win.
dj said:
1-0 Chivas. And the Chivas players carry Hamlett off the field for his game plan consisting of no offense and no player passing midfield.
Adam25 said:
Fire lose 3-1 goal by McBride.
Zeus' God Son said:
and a one way bus ticket out of chicago for Hamlett
Pestilence said:
Fire win 4-1. That's my bold prediction.
Chow said:
I got a prediction that the Armas ROF will be at halftime not before kickoff
Sam Stejskal said:
That is correct. Not too sure how I messed that one up...
Guillermo said:
I will go with another mind numbing 0-0 tie in which Hamlett's game plan involves no attempt whatsoever to actually secure three points.
The 0-0 tie will back them shamefully into the playoffs and Hamlett will celebrate like he's actually accomplished something.
Bahns said:
The best I can hope for is that the Fire lose and somehow all the whiny fanboys heads' explode from an overload of adrenaline due to the fact that Denis has failed and vindicated their season-long campaign of complaining.
patrickhattrick said:
2-0 Chivas. I don't like to predict losses, but we have to be realistic. The Fire has been terrible since the last time they played the Chivas, they haven't won a game in two months, Kliejstan is becoming the player he was supposed to be, and Hamlett is downright terrible. One goal just before halftime for Chivas, another in the 70th when Hamlett brings on a bad sub.
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