BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Toyota Park was abuzz for Club de Futbol America during Wednesday night’s exhibition against the host Chicago Fire. Supporters of the Primera Division organization got what they wanted to see as Las Aguilas won a 2-1 decision against their Major League Soccer opponent in front of a crowd of 17,342.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco played in 67 minutes against his former Club America team, registering one shot and three corner kicks.“I think the key is not to push him too much, because he’s still trying to get his legs under him,” Fire head coach Denis Hamlett said of his decision to not play Blanco the full 90 minutes. “He’s getting his minutes built up. I felt like we should monitor him tonight. He wanted to play 90.”
Club America didn’t waste time getting on the scoreboard, notching a goal in the 2nd minute. After a botched clear attempt by Logan Pause, Club America’s Juan Carlos Silva jumped right on the ball and shot it well above the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Nick Noble and into the back of the net for a 1-0 Club America lead.
Both teams were back and forth for most of the first half when Club America struck again. In the 42nd minute, Pavel Pardo took a free kick. And whether Noble was expecting a deflection of some sort, the ball scooted by him as Club America gained a 2-0 advantage.
Club America goalkeeper Armando Navarrete made four of his five saves in the first half, including a leaping save that cheated Fire defender Brandon Prideaux out of a goal in the 29th minute.
Fire backup goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra came up big in the second half. In the 60th minute, defender Bakary Soumare was called for tripping against Robert de Pinho. Salvador Cabanas took the penalty kick, and Dykstra made the save to his right to maintain a two-goal deficit.
Fire forward Chris Rolfe had several solid scoring opportunities in both halves, and he finally came through in the 71st minute of play. It was his easiest chance as he was set up by Stefan Dimitrov, and Rolfe just ran up the gut in Club America’s defense to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Dykstra saved all three shots, while Noble did not stop the two shots on goal in the first half.
“In terms of a lot of our young guys, they stepped up and really showed me that they’re ready to step on the field when they’re called upon,” Hamlett said. “It was an entertaining game.”
Next up: The Fire return to Major League Soccer action when they host the expansion Seattle Sounders FC at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2 (7:30 p.m., My50).
SlideTackles.net thoughts: This was obviously a chance to see some of the Fire’s bench while resting some of the starters, such as Brian McBride, Jon Busch and John Thorrington. With the top lineup, Chicago possibly could have maintained a clean sheet on the defensive end.
I didn’t have a chance to see Dykstra during the UIC charity game, so it was exciting to see him step in and not give up a goal in that second half. Aside from the PK, which was impressive enough, he also made a great kick save to his left on an Andres Chitiva shot in the 83rd minute. His reaction to the ball against a first-class opponent definitely helps his cause if he’s needed in MLS play. Hamlett has to feel comfortable about this type of depth behind Busch.
This game also was an important one for Rolfe, who has been an odd man out from the starting rotation. He needs the playing time, and he definitely needed that tally in the second half after coming close on several earlier occasions.
Dykstra, Baggio Husidic, Dimitrov and Mike Banner all had some positive moments, though most of these men will be restricted now that they’re back to MLS play against Seattle on Saturday. Banner probably will get the most use out of this bunch, and one intangible in his game has been his ability to create some good crosses and offensive scoring chances - at least it was evident in this game and Chicago’s 2-all come-from-behind draw against the Columbus Crew.
Wednesday’s defeat means very little. The Fire hope to continue their undefeated ways in MLS this weekend.
* Stay tuned for an upcoming feature on some of the Fire’s youngsters and their experience during Wednesday’s friendly. *
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