The Fire entered this weekend one point behind the Columbus Crew for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Now, the weekend is over and the Fire has lost ground in the race for the top spot in the East, as they currently [sit three points behind the league leading Crew](http://web.mlsnet.com/standings/index.jsp?team=t100) - who pulled off an [improbable 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo yesterday.](http://columbus.crew.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090913&content_id=6946410&vkey=news_coc&fext=.jsp&team=t102)
But the Fire will get a chance to pull even with Columbus on Sunday, when they play host to the Ohioans at Toyota Park. I'm already very excited for what will be the Fire's biggest game of the year thus far. The third meeting between the sides should be a supercharged affair with both teams likely going all out for the win. The Fire will be especially desperate for a result as a loss to the Crew (who have a game in hand over the Fire...) would not only effectively eliminate the team from contention for the Supporter's Shield and the Eastern Conference title, but it would also bring Chicago back to the pack a bit in the standings.
I'll be providing a lot more coverage of this game as we inch closer and closer to kick off, but I thought I'd start out the week by listing a few things the Fire must improve upon from Saturday's game against Real Salt Lake.
Here we go... **1 - Improve the defense on the wings**
One of the worst aspects of the Fire's 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake on Saturday was the defending on the wings. Many of RSL's numerous chances got their start on the flank, and many of the opportunities Real created - including their lone goal -- were off of balls crossed in from the wings. This area of defense is especially important when playing against the Crew, who rely a lot on wingers Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven in the attack.
So, who needs to step up? Primarily (and this is kind of obvious...) it has to be the outside backs. Dasan Robinson struggled at right back on Saturday night and if he puts in a similar performance against the Crew the Fire could be in for a long afternoon. That said, other players (namely the outside midfielders...) need to step up their defensive games a bit on Sunday as well. I mean ,some extra cover for the outside backs really couldn't hurt...
**2 - Get more out of McBride**
As I mentioned in my Fire-RSL match recap, I thought Brian McBride struggled a little bit on Saturday against Real Salt Lake. Now, I could've been expecting too much out of the 37-year-old on Saturday - after all, he did just return from an injury that kept him out for two months - but a better performance out of him on Sunday could go a long way towards a Fire result against the Crew.
McBride has had success against the Crew - whom he played with from 1996 through 2004 - in 2009, as he tallied a goal in the sides' first meeting and nearly scored in the second match, forcing keeper Will Hesmer into a spectacular save of his headed ball.
I think McBride will improve upon his performance in the Salt Lake match and I think he should have a positive impact on the game - plus he always seems to nick one against his former team...
**3 - Be the hunter, not the hunted**
Despite taking the first half lead on Saturday night, for long stretches of the match the Fire seemed to be put on their heels by Real Salt Lake - who, for the most part, dictated the tempo of the match. Now, this is understandable considering the Fire was on the road, but nonetheless it was a bit disappointing to see the Fire not take the game to RSL like we all know they are able to.
Should the Fire come out strong on Sunday and start to dictate the flow of the game, their chances of walking away winners will be much greater than they would be otherwise. Also, I don't think the Fire has much to lose in employing such a strategy. I mean, anything other than a win in this match is pretty much useless to the Fire (ok, ok a tie wouldn't be so bad) so they might as well go for all three points.
Now that I've shared three things that I think the Fire need to change from last week to this week, I'm interested to hear what you guys think. What area do you think the Fire need to improve in this week in order to beat the Crew?
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And, on a completely unrelated note, I thought I'd let you guys know that I will be going back to Northwestern today. Why does that matter for you? Well, in all likelihood, it means that the blog will be changing - at least in a few subtle ways. I may not be able to post as often as I have throughout the summer and I know I won't be able to attend as many practices as I have over my break (it sucks that class has to get in the way of that...). But I promise that I'll do my best to keep the content coming and to keep that content fresh and informative, so don't worry too much.
Filed under: 2009 Regular Season, Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew
Tags: Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo
I'm pretty sure Hejduk picked up a yellow card in the first half yesterday that would cause him to miss the Fire game although it's not listed on the box score stats (yes I was watching CBus-Houston instead of the NFL-I'm sick that way).
The Fire could have come away with all three points against RSL had they not gone into bunker mode. The substitutions were also terrible and disrupted whatever flow they were able to maintain against RSL. Robinson does struggle on the outside and that will be a problem against Columbus. This makes Klopas/Hamlett's decision to wait on adding another player even more ludicrous.
The deadline for the roster freeze is tomorrow and the Fire seem to be in no hurry to fill the roster spot vacated by Soumare even though an additional defender would help their cause given injuries and limitations of the remaining defenders.
I can't wait to see what kind of game plan Hamlett cooks up. Sunday's game is a must win....at home no less. The Crew also looked to be a little gased yesterday even though they did pull out the win. Houston had the better of the play for the most part and the PK call in extra time was very dubious. Schelotto really struggled and they have a CCL game on Wednesday at Saprissa.
I hate when people rag on the F.O. But how could noone know that Blanco's visa had expired. He could have made a difference as a sub and I think he'll put his mark on the game this Sunday. With the Bears at home, I hope the game isn't completely ignored by the sports media. At least the baseball teams have lost steam.
I don't know what are the chances that Conde AND Gonzo will be gone next year but the team should do whatever it takes to get those guys back because 2010 could be a disaster.
It was clear when the Fire was pissing away points in games it should easily have won that it would come down to this, and now it has. Columbus, at Toyota Park, and a must-win? No way, no how. The Fire has sucked at home since moving to Bridgeview (really, who can blame them?), and they're no match for Columbus even when they have all their players available. That's why dropping points to the Kansas Cities and Colorados of this world is inexcusable. The good news is that the losing margin won't be as embarrassing as the pasting the Bears will be receiving at the same time.
The frustrating part of this team is that they ARE a match for Columbus. The Fire and Crew tied both regular season games last year before CBus won 2-1 in the eastern conference final. They have also tied both meetings this year.
The Fire's inadequacies at home have nothing to do with Bridgeview. The blame for underperforming should be placed on the shoulders of the coaching staff and players.
DJ,
I think it's the same coin he uses to decide substitutions.
Should we take up a collection to get him a new coin? And a bus ticket out of town?
how much do you want?
I have absolutely no idea. Maybe I'll ask...