Just days after their USOC play-in meeting at Buck Shaw Stadium on Tuesday, the Earthquakes and Fire face each other once again at Toyota Park Saturday night. The game Tuesday saw the Fire come away with the win, beating San Jose 5-4 in a shootout, after Chicago came back from two goals down to tie the game in the 2nd half. Even though this was a non-MLS game, San Jose is sure to come into Chicago looking for payback.
San Jose
The Earthquakes are coming off back to back home wins in MLS play, having beat Columbus and New England. They have struggled on the road, however, not winning as visitors on the pitch since March 26th against FC Dallas. To be sure, they’ll be looking towards recent USMNT call-up and 2010 Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski, who’s netted 5 goals thusfar in his 2011 campaign.
The hinge point for the Earthquakes, not unlike the Fire, will be their midfield and defense. San Jose has shown much difficulty in possessing and advancing the ball in the middle of the field, and their defense on Tuesday allowed two goals, causing the game to go into OT, and ultimately, a shootout, that saw San Jose dropped from the US Open Cup tournament. It’s likely that the same woes could befall them Saturday night in Bridgeview.
Chicago Fire
The Fire will certainly look to carry the momentum of Tuesday, in addition to the positive flashes of strong play in recent MLS games, into Saturday’s match. Having fought back against San Jose, as well as giving Philadelphia fits in their 2-1 loss a week ago, and their come-from-behind draw against Toronto FC, the Fire have exhibited some heart and grit, even though those efforts have not resulted in a win since March 26th. In fact, the Fire’s current woes find them just one game short of the franchise winless record, set during the 2004 season. They hope to change that, however, relying on recent solid play from Dominic Oduro, Fire newcomer Cristian Nazarit, and midfielders Corben Bone and Daniel Paladini.
A few items are unresolved at this point for the Fire. Goalkeeping, in addition to inconsistent intensity and controlling run of play remain at the top of the Fire’s list as items that must be in order for the Fire to come away with three points.
Outcome
The Fire come into Saturday’s match with home pitch advantage, in addition to holding an edge in wins all-time, with a record against San Jose of 12-7-9 in 28 matches. In addition, Chicago is 7-2-5 at home. It’s also worth noting that before last season’s 2-1 at Toyota Park, the Earthquakes had not won on Chicago’s pitch since 1999.
Chris Wondolowski is sure to be a consistent threat, but San Jose’s achilles heel will be its midfield and backline, both of which have shown weakness throughout the season.
Chicago has a real chance of walking away with three points, if they can get finishing power from their strikers. While it’s unsure if Diego Chaves will start, as he still has a foot contusion that has been bothersome for the last week and a half, the promise of Colombian Cristian Nazarit, as well as Orr Barouch, the 19 year old phenom who has scored twice in three games (spanning MLS and USOC play), the Fire could have the firepower, speed, and agility to turn the page on their abysmal 1-4-5 start.
Chicago 3 San Jose 1
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