It is pretty evident that the Chicago Fire can only go up following their performance Wednesday in a 2-0 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy. Chicago hopes to find the win column when the team hosts the Colorado Rapids at 5 p.m. Sunday at Toyota Park (game televised on My50).You could name numerous areas to pinpoint where things went wrong Wednesday, starting with the lack of a single shot on goal against L.A. One direct effect that limited the Fire’s possession could have been the slippery conditions on the pitch, forward Patrick Nyarko said.
“The conditions were a little rough, and the field was really wet,” Nyarko said. “That’s when we’re at our best, if we keep moving the ball. But the ball skipped so bad.”
But since both teams were dealing with the heavy rainfall during the pre-game, consider that point a wash - figuratively and literally. Chicago (9-5-8, 35 points) and Colorado (8-6-6, 30 points) should have perfect playing conditions to deal with Sunday.
The Fire’s defensive injuries are well-known by now if you have had a chance to see the team’s lineup over the past couple of games. Left back Gonzalo Segares (left MCL sprain) said Wednesday that he felt he was a couple weeks away from returning, though preliminary indications were that he would be out longer. You also have the absence of Tim Ward (left metatarsal fracture), Bakary Soumare (has not played since altercation with head coach Denis Hamlett) and Daniel Woolard (left ankle sprain).
Aside from the numerous injuries, the Fire are also without midfielder John Torrington (pictured above), who will serve a one-game suspension Sunday because of yellow card accumulation.
In the only other match against Colorado this season, the Fire went on the road and handed the Rapids their first home defeat. Chicago posted a 2-1 victory on July 4, led by first-half goals from midfielder Marco Pappa and defender Wilman Conde.
Colorado has never won at Toyota Park and has posted only one victory in Chicago, a 3-0 win on Aug. 14, 2004, at Soldier Field.
Heading into the weekend, Colorado forward Conor Casey holds the MLS lead with 11 goals in only 14 games. Five times this season the Rapids have scored three or more goals, and two of their past three efforts have been 4-0 wins against the New York Red Bulls and Chivas USA.
This is one of the Fire’s toughest stretches of the season, primarily because of the bulk of games in August. Chicago has seven games this month - six MLS matches and that disappointing loss to Tigres UANL in the SuperLiga championship. Colorado also is in one of its toughest stretches with this game and then a tough home match against the Houston Dynamo next week.
Chicago will need to find a good mix of speed, muscle and stamina to deal with the likes of Casey and Omar Cummings on the defensive side. And Chris Rolfe, Pappa and Nyarko need to pick things up offensively. They have each had their moments, but collectively we have yet to really see if this offense can gel to the point where you can partly forget about the shoulder injury to Brian McBride. Chicago Fire 2, Colorado Rapids 1
No comments:
Post a Comment