MIDWEEK NEWS AND NOTES

Sting's '84 NASL title to be celebrated at Fire game

The Chicago Fire announced that the organization will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Chicago Sting's North American Soccer League title.

There will be a halftime ceremony and an autograph session before the Fire's match against Toronto FC on Saturday (7:30 p.m., My50) at Toyota Park. A commemorative Sting poster will be available, and 15 former Sting players and coaches from the '84 squad are expected to sign the posters in FireFest at Gate C, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

"I am very excited to see my former teammates this Saturday and bring the soccer community together for this important anniversary in Chicago soccer history," Fire technical director Frank Klopas said.

CLICK HERE for more information about the festivities.

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Fire's defensive line shows some positive signs

The Fire's 2-all draw against the Columbus Crew on Sunday did not sit too well. But in keeping an upbeat view on the game, it is noteworthy to mention that the Fire's defense limited the Crew to less than 10 shot attempts, and the back line is showing a bit more stability. There was not much the Fire could do about a controversial penalty call against Wilman Conde that led to Guillermo Barros Schelotto's game-tying penalty kick. And the lone lapse was Robbie Rogers beating Brandon Prideaux en route to Schelotto's first of two tallies.

The back line doesn't look the way the team drew it up at the start of the season. Outside backs Mike Banner (pictured) and Prideaux did shank a couple of clearances that did not hurt them against the Crew. But for the most part, this defensive group is coming around, and they anticipated Columbus' passing lanes relatively well Sunday.

"I think Banner's coming into his own, and that's fine. And Brandon's always pretty sharp playing at the right back," Fire captain and central defender C.J. Brown said. "With Wilman coming back (from a hamstring injury), he's huge in the middle. So I think we're all starting to get on the same page. And I think we've all devoted ourselves - especially this game (against Columbus) - to try and start that playoff mentality. Everybody was focused for it. They were all in tune for it. Every week we work on shifting and moving, staying on our block. And when we do that, it makes a difference."

Not only did the back line do an adequate job, but much of Schelotto's supporting cast did not have a huge impact. For example, the Fire limited Crew midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo to minimal touches, and he is Columbus' assists leader and ranks third on the squad in shots. Ekpo had so little value playing-wise that the Crew subbed him out.

"A lot of that is credit to your forwards and your midfielders," Brown said. "The forwards make it difficult for them to get out of the back, and our midfielders are shifting on the fly and doing the dirty work to prevent their midfielders from getting free looks at the ball. ... "If you look at (the game) soccer-wise, the guys should be happy with themselves with what they produced on the field."

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Midweek links:
• Examiner.com: MLS Power Rankings, through Week 27 (Fire tied for third)
• Examiner.com: MLS race for playoffs tighter than ever (includes comments from Fire defender C.J. Brown)
• MLSnet.com: Armas to be inducted to 'Ring of Fire' Hall of Fame
• New York Times: Q&A: Brian McBride Responds to Readers
• Pitch Invasion: Hiring and Retaining a Good Front Office Team (by Red Stars CEO Peter Wilt)