So we’ve reached the halfway point of the season. Chicago, having made it through the month of June undefeated, looks to finally start accumulating serious points as Frank Klopas continues to chip away at putting the final pieces in place with a squad that has continued to gradually improve. This weekend Chicago travels to LA in leg one of a two consecutive week trip to the City of Angels to take on Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center.
Chivas, who is currently in the midst of a three game losing streak, will try to counter a tough Chicago defense. The problem for Chivas during that run hasn’t been scoring, as the club has put home 4 goals in 3 games. Chivas problem has been a weak backline that has allowed 7 goals in that same time period. Club Deportiva no doubt will be hoping to exploit any weakness in the Fire’s game. Essentially though, this game looks to come down to a battle of weaknesses. Will Chicago’s struggles to finish continue to plague them against a defense that has allowed multiple goals in all three of their previous losses, or does Chivas offense break through a seemingly impenetrable defense mounted by the Fire?
Chicago’s backline is sure to have their hands full, although it doesn’t seem they are unable to meet the challenge. For the most part, Chicago this past Sunday was able to contain New York’s offense of Dane Richards, Joel Lindpere, Dwayne De Rosario (just before his trade to DC), and an lethargic Thierry Henry. The Red Bulls, by most accounts, have a much more potent offense than that of Chivas, but one cannot discount the finishing abilities of Justin Braun. Chivas scoring has been fairly spread out behind Braun, so while Chicago will have to keep a keen eye open, if they can contain Braun, who will likely draw the defensive marking of Cory Gibbs or Yamith Cuesta, they can handle the rest of the Chivas offense.
On the other side, Chicago fans would love nothing more than to see Chicago push aside their sporadic scoring ways and come out as a team with a break out game. Cristian Nazarit is now back from his two game suspension, and Marco Pappa is back from international duty. Pappa, who sustained a knock to his knee on a play Sunday, is expected to be ready, but it remains to be seen if he will start, or come off the bench in a subbing role. Dominic Oduro, probably the MVP of the team thusfar in 2011, will likely see time on the wing or up top again, depending on if Pappa starts. Similarly, there’s a good chance we again see Diego Chaves up top as well, perhaps in a withdrawn forward role. Chaves, who scored the loan goal in Chicago’s 1-0 victory over the Rochester Rhino’s on Tuesday, has gotten considerable rest over the last week, and should be ready in either a starting or substitution role if called upon.
In the midfield, Chicago will have their captain Logan Pause back, who is ready for action after sustaining a concussion against New England. To be sure, Frank Klopas will be cautious with him, although he stated early on this week that Pause would be ready. Next to Pause in midfield against Chivas will likely be Corben Bone, in the absence of Dan Paladini who earned a day off for yellow card accumulation. Klopas’ most viable options in Paladini’s absence are Bone or Baggio Husidic, although it has seemed lately that Bone has turned in more aggressive and positive performances in recent weeks. Still, one cannot discount Baggio, as he can be as dangerous a threat as anyone on the pitch if he’s having a good night.
For Chicago, this will be a match not unlike their match a few weeks back against New England. They will need to contain a nominal offensive threat in Chivas, and if they can exploit the definitive weaknesses in Chivas’ backline, Chicago will come out on top. Look for Chicago’s speedy wingers to break down the Chivas defense, and look for the forwards up top to get plenty of scoring chances that are sure to result in a Fire victory and three points.
Chicago 3 : 1 Chivas USA
Image courtesy of Chicago Fire
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