Grazzini likely out as Fire face RSL

Sebastian Grazzini -- Getty Images

By Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com

The Chicago Fire have won four of their five past matches, but they will likely have to continue pushing on without midfielder Sebastian Grazzini.

Grazzini, who injured his hamstring during the first half of Chicago's 3-2 win over the New England Revolution, is expected to miss Wednesday's match at Real Salt Lake.

The midseason acquisition had a goal and an assist before his departure. Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas told MLSSoccer.com this week that Grazzini would not play against Salt Lake, which is coming off its worst loss of the season, a 4-1 defeat at D.C. United. Grazzini is listed as questionable on the MLS Injury Report.

Klopas likely will return to Baggio Husidic in the midfield for the Fire (6-8-15, 33 points). Husidic replaced Grazzini during Sunday's win over the Revs, and it will be a tough task to match Grazzini's skill set and activity.

"Baggio came in and my message to him was he's got to get the ball and make those passes like Sebastian," Klopas said. "At first he was looking to get behind more and left a little bit of a gap."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire still striving to mesh on pitch

Fire's Baggio Husidic (R) -- Getty Images

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- In the midst of a four-game winless streak and only one point in hand during April, the Chicago Fire are regularly deciphering their shortcomings to turn around a poor start to the 2011 season. The Fire hover near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 1-3-2 record, with Saturday's game at the defending MLS champion Colorado Rapids on the horizon.

Chicago's defense has been an obvious detriment to the team in recent weeks as the Fire have allowed 12 goals this year, which currently ties for second-most in the league. But the midfield also has been a growing point of concern.

In the Fire's most recent 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo, Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos made some changes to every line. That included the insertion of Libertyville native and center midfielder Baggio Husidic, who started for the first time this season. Husidic got the call over Michael Videira, though Videira eventually subbed for Husidic in the second half.

"Even though people criticize our center midfield for not being that creative, I think we have guys in there that on their day can do it," Fire midfielder Patrick Nyarko said. "Baggio is an excellent passer with the ball from midfield, but we just need to get more possession out there. It starts from the back all the way up front."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire seek offensive awakening

Fire forward Gaston Puerari -- ISI Photos

Last year's Chicago Fire squad was a middle-of-the-pack MLS team on the offensive end, scoring 37 goals in 30 games. But there were many dry spells along the way, as the offense was shut out seven times during the final two months and 10 times overall in 2010.

There were moments of strong possession, but the finishing was lacking, as was the cohesiveness from line to line. Since last October, many of last year's Fire players have moved on.

Arlington Heights native and U.S. Soccer legend Brian McBride retired. McBride's former Fulham teammate Collins John, who albeit had a disappointing three-goal showing, was released and latched on to Gabala FC. And in the midfield, the Fire lost some production now that Freddie Ljungberg (Celtic), Peter Lowry (Portland Timbers) and frequently injured John Thorrington (Vancouver Whitecaps) have departed.

This season the Fire signed a pair of Uruguayan forwards in Gaston Puerari and Diego Chaves, who have had only several weeks to get acclimated to the new club. Puerari saw more preseason action than Chaves, who had one of his matches shortened by a first-half red card.

"Diego is a very good player," Fire midfielder Baggio Husidic said. "Even though he might not look big, he's big on the ball. He's quick. He's not a typical No. 9. I'd say he's more of a 10, where he drops and gets the ball, plays it through the middle, attacks, and he's good one-on-one and good at passing. Gaston is more of a speedy player. He's really cheeky on the ball. They both complement each other. They kind of drop in and play like midfielders almost."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire's Husidic continues to progress

Fire's Baggio Husidic -- Getty Images

With only two seasons under his belt, Chicago Fire midfielder Baggio Husidic has stepped in comfortably following his University of Illinois-Chicago days.

The 2009 draft pick and Libertyville High School alum earned regular minutes in his second season last year, posting 18 starts in 22 games. Husidic tallied five goals, ranking third on the club.

And more will be expected from Husidic in his third campaign.

"Personally, I think I've progressed quite a bit," Husidic said. "Last year I sat on the bench coming from preseason and early in the season. So this year I've fought for a starting spot and thus far have been in the first 11. I'm hoping that the confidence keeps growing and I keep improving."

Read more at ESPNChicago.com.

Fire's Carr returns, nets winner over Revs

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Chicago Fire forward Calen Carr made his return a memorable one.

Carr netted a game-winning goal in the 85th minute as the Fire defeated the New England Revolution, 2-1, on Thursday in front of 14,056 at Toyota Park. The match was Carr's first since a scoreless draw between the host Revs and the Fire on Oct. 17, 2009.

Carr injured his quad at the end of this year's preseason when the team was in Mexico. But he slowly but surely has battled his way back, and Carr's goal gave the Fire (6-5-6) three well-deserved points against Eastern Conference foe New England (6-10-3).

"It's been a tough road where my quad would feel better, then it would feel worse, and then better, then worse," Carr said. "I finally broke through the barrier and I've been training for some weeks now. I feel great."

The front line made an aggressive run upfield during Carr's goal. Freddie Ljungberg fueled the attack and fed to Carr who surged ahead and cut to his right toward the middle of the pitch. He hit a low shot from just outside of the box and drove the ball past Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis, finding the left side of the goal for the game-winner.

"[Ljungberg] got the ball and I just drifted out wide to the left," Carr said. "I cut inside, and was originally going to go to the far post and saw the defender coming. So I decided to come back across the face of the goal. The rest ... thankfully it went in."

For more, visit ESPNChicago.com.

Husidic strikes, but Fire draw against Chivas

Libertyville native and Chicago Fire midfielder Baggio Husidic netted his second goal in as many games, but Chicago had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA on Saturday at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

"He's having a good performance throughout these two matches," Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos said. "He's becoming one of the top members of the team."

You can read more from this match at ESPNChicago.com.

FIRE'S MCBRIDE POSSIBLY OUT FOR SEASON

CLICK HERE for my Examiner.com piece about Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride, who had surgery Friday to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder. McBride is expected to miss three or four months, not the 4-6 weeks that the Fire medical staff originally anticipated.

• PREVIEW: SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES AT CHICAGO FIRE

With McBride out, Chicago's depth comes to the forefront

The Chicago Fire announced that forward Brian McBride had surgery Friday to repair a labral tear in his right shoulder. McBride could miss the remainder of the Major League Soccer season.

Eastern Conference-leading Chicago (6-3-7) plays its first stint without McBride on Saturday when the Fire host the San Jose Earthquakes (3-9-4) at 7:30 p.m. at Toyota Park (televised on My50).

Patrick Nyarko has been playing off the bench of late and is likely to see regular playing time with McBride out. There also is the option of pushing up midfielder Chris Rolfe. Forward Calen Carr also is working his way back into the fold.

Earlier this season, Chicago played host San Jose to a 3-all draw. Rolfe came through with an 85th-minute goal to salvage the tie.

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SlideTackles.net prediction: It is a good thing that Hamlett has had SuperLiga a U.S. Open Cup match and an occasional MLS game here and there to work in some of the other players. Not only is Chicago without its leading goal scorer in McBride. But defender Gonzalo Segares and midfielder Logan Pause are playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. And defenders Wilman Conde and Brandon Prideaux have had hamstring injuries.

The Quakes beat the Houston Dynamo near the start of the season, a 3-2 victory that almost looks like a typo at this stage of their season. This isn't a team to take lightly, though, especially since San Jose was just minutes from topping Chicago earlier this season. Ryan Johnson has six goals, Arturo Alvarez is versatile and veteran goalkeeper Joe Cannon is still capable of coming up with big saves.

Chicago has yet to figure things out at home with its 1-2-4 Toyota Park record and five goals. Fire fans are anxious to get a second home win, and as long as you're in first place, you have to figure this team is more than capable of switching the tone at home. Chicago Fire 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1

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• HUSIDIC GETS STARTING NOD

Libertyville native, UIC standout earning his wings in 1st season

Chicago Fire rookie midfielder Baggio Husidic knew he would have to prove himself to earn some playing time, especially on a squad that has some depth. The Libertyville native and University of Illinois-Chicago standout has gotten that chance of late with his first two Major League Soccer starts against Colorado Rapids on July 4 and the Columbus Crew on July 11.

In his first start against Colorado, he also posted his first MLS assist on a Marco Pappa goal as the Fire won, 2-1. In these early stages, Husidic seems to be making an impression.

"I thought he was good," Fire head coach Denis Hamlett said following the Fire's scoreless draw against Columbus. "I thought in the first half he got himself in good spots in the final third. I just didn't think we saw him. We ended up probably running with the ball too long instead of making the early pass."

Husidic also got the start during Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution in the SuperLiga semifinals. His standout moment in the game came in the 26th minute when Fire defender Daniel Woolard provided a cross from the left side. Husidic made a strong run in the middle of the field, but his header went over the crossbar.

Those moments will improve over time, and with injuries and numerous players participating in non-MLS tournaments, Husidic will continue getting those chances.

"I think it's nice, especially early on in my career, to get opportunities to play and get confidence," Husidic said. "That's pretty much all it is, is just getting game experience. And right now I'm getting that, which is good. So hopefully I'll get more and more coming in the future."

FIRE 2, COLORADO RAPIDS 1

Chicago snaps 3-game skid, jumps up to 1st in the East

Chicago Fire midfielder Marco Pappa and defender Wilman Conde provided more offense than the team had during its three-game losing streak as Chicago topped the Colorado Rapids, 2-1, on Saturday in Major League Soccer action at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.

"The guys stuck together, played as a group, and when we do that we're a good team," Fire head coach Denis Hamlett said.

The win not only snapped a three-game skid for the Fire (6-3-6), but it put Chicago back at the top of the Eastern Conference with 24 points (D.C. also has 24, but through 17 games played). The victory also erased a nearly decade-long drought in Colorado - a dismal 0-6-4 mark in their previous 10 road matches against the Rapids.

Conversely, the Rapids (5-4-6) dropped their first home game of the season.

Chicago played a pretty much flawless first half of soccer, earning the 2-0 lead with Pappa's and Conde's goals in the 30th and 37th minutes, respectively, and holding the Rapids to zero shots on goal in the first 45 minutes.

Jacob Peterson finally broke through for Colorado in the 76th minute with an unassisted goal.

Chicago's defense clamped down on Rapids forward Conor Casey, who made a long-awaited return after playing in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Casey had only one shot on goal in the 76th minute, just before Peterson's tally.

Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch made three saves and the Rapids' Matt Pickens made one.

* * *

Next up: The Fire host the defending champion Columbus Crew at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at Toyota Park. The game is televised on ESPN2.

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Fire notes:
• Libertyville native, University of Illinois-Chicago product and Fire midfielder Baggio Husidic earned the first assist of his MLS career with his center pass to Pappa for the team's 30th-minute goal.
• Fire defender Logan Pause is with the U.S. Men's National Team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He earned his first international cap and got the start during Saturday's 4-0 victory over Grenada in Seattle. Pause also assisted Robbie Rogers' 60th-minute goal that gave the U.S. a 3-0 lead.