In front of a record-setting sellout crowd at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, Chicago Fire began their 2012 campaign against expansion side Montreal Impact, in a setting that is all too familiar to Fire fans in Chicago and abroad. The result, in tough conditions and facing an energized Impact side, was a 1-1 draw to start 2012.
Detractors and pessimists are sure to call the match “more of the same” from a Chicago Fire team that tied with New York Red Bulls in 2011 for all-time most draws in a season. However too many factors existed in Chicago’s season opener to call this a repeat of the struggles that plagued them throughout much of last year. For one, the Fire/Impact game drew the officiating of one Kevin Stott, a referee known to lose his whistle for extended stretches during games. Stott was true to form once again, as he let physical play dictate much of the first half, as Montreal victimized Sebastian Grazzini, Patrick Nyarko, and Dan Gargan with barely a foul called. In the end, Montreal accrued 17 fouls to Chicago’s 11, but it was only after a soft yellow card was issued to Grazzini towards the end of the first 45 minutes that Stott seemed to gain any control over the match.
Chicago came out strong, fielding the same lineup Klopas used during their strong 2011 finish, with the exception of Sean Johnson, who was away with the USMNT U-23 squad for pre-Olympic qualifying. His replacement, only announced at gametime, was Italian rookie Paolo Tornaghi. Tornaghi, a product of Inter Milan’s youth system, showed why he garnered the respect and admiration of his Chicago coaching staff and teammates. He showed the same composure in goal that he exhibited much of the preseason, and illustrated why, in spite of having veteran Jay Nolly at his disposal, Klopas made the right move going with Tornaghi.
In addition to an uphill climb against a lack of calls and youthful goalkeeping, Chicago fought a record-setting Montreal crowd who was hyped and ready from the opening whistle to welcome their hometown club into MLS play. Chicago has a history of being the opposition for new clubs and stadiums, having been the visiting club for Montreal, Portland, Kansas City, and New York debuts in recent memory. One has to wonder (if you’re from Chicago at least) if Don Garber and the league plan these things out intentionally. Chicago, in all cases mentioned, has been put at a disadvantage from the outset, forcing themselves to dig deep and muster extra motivation before the anthems are even sung. And for all the potential positives of the Fire being showcased alongside debuting teams or stadiums, it just doesn’t outweigh the fact that by all appearances, the league has it out for this club. These are things that should not be.
In spite of the tough crowds, the refs, and another club playing on a turf field instead of natural grass, however, it has to be said that Chicago didn’t fair too poorly. All things considered, a point coming out of a match given those conditions isn’t a bad thing. Yes, it’s a draw, and yes, it’s the same start the club had to 2011. Detractors would say this was a replication of early season form from 2011, but I don’t believe that’s the case. Chicago came out early to control the tempo and pace of the game. Specifically, Patrick Nyarko had a great start, connecting with Dominic Oduro for a near miss early on, and attacking Montreal’s backline early and often. Where the Fire failed was in the area of my game preview assessment. In the midst of controlling possession and tempo early, they failed to find the back of the net. That gave Montreal a chance to settle, and 25 minutes in the Impact began imposing their will into the game. Montreal nearly took the lead in the first half as Justin Braun found the back of the net, only to be ruled offside on the play. Fortunate for Chicago, as that could have been the difference in the eventual draw.
Chicago gained some composure during the half, and entered the second half with a bit more purpose it seemed. In the 56th minute, however, poor central defending cost Chicago a goal, as Sanna Nyassi was given ample time to send a cross in to Impact captain Davy Arnaud, who didn’t waste his chance to blast a header past Tornaghi, giving Montreal it’s first goal in MLS, and first lead in league play. The play, mostly a breakdown in marking, gives good motivation for Chicago to get new acquisition Arne Friedrich fit so he can be inserted in the central defense sooner rather than later.
Finding themselves behind on the road, Chicago pressed back against Montreal as they tried to find an equalizer. That equalizer would come in the 71st minute, as Patrick Nyarko would connect with Sebastian Grazzini at the top of the box. Grazzini collected the ball, turned to goal and chipped the Montreal defense, perfectly placing a pass at the feet of a sliding Dominic Oduro, who nudged his first goal past Donovan Ricketts to open his 2012 scoring campaign.
The game would continue back and forth over the closing 20 minutes, mostly uneventful until the final seconds of stoppage time, as a pressing Josh Gardner would find the ball at his feet 25 yards out. The former Crew defender crushed a shot that Paolo Tornaghi was equal to, barely deflecting it wide as it blasted off the crossbar and struck Bernado Corradi, who was ruled offside. Seconds later, Stott drew the match to a close.
Quick notes:
- Pavel Pardo was far too under-involved in the game. Montreal did well to shut him out of the central midfield and rendered him fairly ineffective.
- Marco Pappa seems lost on the pitch when sharing it with Sebastian Grazzini. Pappa, who has played centrally in the past, doesn’t seem nearly as comfortable when Seba is out there, in spite of playing on the wing.
- Klopas needs to find a way to insert Rafael Robayo as an integral part of his midfield attack. Robayo played well in preseason, but may need more time to gel with his teammates.
- Central defense needs German international Arne Friedrich. Jalil Anibaba has done well, but a lack of marking in the box has bitten Chicago far too often in 2011, and did again on Arnaud’s header in the season opener. Friedrich and Gibbs side by side could solve that issue, while still giving Chicago solid depth in the form of the new guys on the squad, who all look poised to contribute as they continue to develop their game.
In all, Chicago has to be happy to walk out of Montreal with a point. While 3 points would have been optimal, a draw was enough, given the tough conditions, tough crowd, and questionable reffing. For now, Chicago will be content with a point, and will come back to Chicago to prepare themselves for next weekend’s home opener against Philadephia Union.
Chicago Fire 1 – 1 Montreal Impact
Chicago Fire: Paolo Tornaghi; Dan Gargan, Jalil Anibaba, Cory Gibbs, Gonzalo Segares (Hunter Jumper, 68’); Marco Pappa (Federico Puppo, 62’), Pavel Pardo, Logan Pause ©; Sebastian Grazzini (Daniel Paladini, 79’); Dominic Oduro, Patrick Nyarko
Substitutes not used: Jay Nolly, Corben Bone, Rafael Robayo, Orr Barouch
Montreal Impact: Donovan Ricketts; Jeb Brovsky, Mateo Ferrari, Tyson Wahl, Josh Gardner; Davy Arnaud, Felipe Martins, Patrice Bernier (Lamar Neagle, 82’), Justin Mapp (Andrew Wenger, 68’); Sanna Nyassi, Justin Braun (Bernardo Corradi, 77’)
Substitutes not used: Greg Sutton, Callum Mallace, Shavar Thomas, Collen Warner
Scoring Summary
MTL – Davy Arnaud (Sanna Nyassi) 56’
CHI – Dominic Oduro (Sebastian Grazzini, Patrick Nyarko) 71’
Misconduct Summary
CHI – Sebastian Grazzini (caution) 42’
MTL – Lamar Neagle (caution) 84’
CHI – Pavel Pardo (caution) 87’
MTL – Sanna Nyassi (caution) 89’
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistants: Adam Wienckowski, Bill Dittmar
Fourth Official: Geoff Gamble
Attendance: 58,912
Image courtesy of Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images
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