The Chicago Fire came into this season acknowledging (although never using the terminology) that they were more or less in a rebuilding phase during the 2011 season. Offseason signings and draft picks gave way to a preseason that, by all initial accounts, might have indicated a season better than one might expect from a squad that lost two veteran players to retirement, and a whole slew of other seasoned players to waivers, trades, and non-renewals. Within a month of the season starting, however, the frustration that has become the 2011 season began to set in.
Chicago is currently a team of either half-empty or half-full, depending on one’s outlook. Many have voiced repeated frustration with a team that has failed to finish games, having won just two games this season while drawing twelve. The pace at which Chicago is tying games has them primed to finish at the bottom o f the Eastern Conference, and potentially miss a playoff run for the third time (and second consecutive year) in team history.
The half-full crowd, however, see a little more light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not hard to remember that just a season ago, FC Dallas finished their regular season with 14 draws, and eventually went on to challenge the Colorado Rapids for the MLS Cup. Chicago currently sits in 7th in the East, yes, but thanks to the new playoff system, they are just 3 points outside the last playoff spot.
The Fire needs to add a few more pieces to make a real run at turning around their season, but they are capable of doing so. As Sporting KC have proven, a few changes to the norm can do amazing things for your club’s confidence, drive, and result on the pitch. If Chicago can make those adjustments, we could see a second half out of the club that is exponentially better than the first, highly forgettable half was.
Here are my midseason awards for the Chicago Fire.
MVP- Dominic Oduro
This one’s close. Chicago has had three scorers at the top of the table in Diego Chaves, Marco Pappa, and Dominic Oduro. While Chaves cooled off considerably after the first 4 games, Marco Pappa and Dominic Oduro continue to produce. Both are tied with the team lead in goals with 5 a piece. Pappa’s playmaking ability, when on, cannot be questioned, while Oduro’s speed has helped him hassle and give fits to any defense the Fire have faced. Pappa’s one downfall, the one that continues to haunt him, is his lack of field vision that causes him one too many touches on the ball, too often resulting surrendering possession. While Oduro has had numerous chances that should have been finished (the guy should have 8-10 goals instead of 5, easily), he continues to pressure defensive sets and uses his speed to his advantage. Oduro gets my pick for 1st half MVP. If he honed his finishing skills in some, and gave a lighter first touch at times, he would easily be EPL material.
Top Rookie- Jalil Anibaba
This is an easy choice, simply because there aren’t many rookies getting this same level of playing time. Jalil Anibaba has started the majority of the 2011 season at right back, save a few games more recently that saw Bratislav Ristic in the position. Anibaba, drafted out of North Carolina, has been a positive addition to the club in the absence of Steven Kinney due to injury. Jalil has had some shaky moments for sure, and his mistakes have led to goals by a few opponents. As far as rookies go, however, he has performed well, shaking off most of the first-year jitters that can easily befall a rookie, no less rookie in a defensive spot. While Anibaba could use some fine-tuning, Chicago have a right back who could easily move back to his college position of center back if the need arose, and who will no doubt continue to grow and mature in the coming years.
Top Offensive Player – Dominic Oduro For all the same reasons he got my MVP vote.
Top Defensive Player- Gonzalo Segares
My defensive vote goes to Gonzalo Segares. Gonzo has shown flashes here and there of the form and play that made him one of the best defensive backs in the league a few years ago. While he struggled a bit after coming back to the Fire part way through the 2010 season, Segares has seemed more at home, more comfortable in his role, and more commanding of respect from the opposition. He defends hard, tackles hard, and as Steven Lenhart found out during their USOC match, he’s not afraid to let you know if he thinks you’re out of line. Having a good offensive threat is a necessity for a successful team, but having a solid defender who will stir things up and hassle the opposing offense is just as vital, and Gonzalo Segares brings exactly that to the table. With the exception of the USOC game against Rochester that Gonzo had to sit out due to his red card in the San Jose game, he’s the only player who has started every game for the Chicago Fire this season.
Most Improved- Dominic Oduro & Daniel Paladini
This one is a tie between Dominic Oduro and Daniel Paladini. Dominic Oduro, simply put, has gotten progressively better over every game he has played in since coming to the club in a trade with Houston for Calen Carr. Oduro, who was heckled by the Houston fans after missing a gimme in the first week of the season, has found a welcome home in Toyota Park amongst Fire fans and Section 8 Chicago. He’s an All-Star contender and a constant scoring threat who could very soon find himself in the company of a Steve Zakuani, Javier Morales, or Sainey Nyassi.
Daniel Paladini is in a similar position as Oduro improvement-wise, although it may be harder to tell because Paladini’s role has been an ever-changing one, both in Carlos de los Cobos as well as Frank Klopas’ systems. Paladini, who first got the nod against Colorado back in March, has played in nearly every match since, and has started almost every match save a few since that game. Paladini has successfully played the central mid position, varying between a defensive mid and offensive mid as the game situation has dictated. The thing that is such a positive about Paladini, aside from his versatility in the center of the field, is his work rate. Daniel on any given night is the hardest working Fire player on the field, often doing so for a full 90 minutes (consequently, the same can also be said of Oduro). He has amazing field vision, evident in numerous long balls he has served up to teammate’s game in and game out. The only thing lacking at this point in the former Carolina Railhawk is that elusive first goal in a Fire uniform. Although his scoring opportunities have been few and far between, when he does get a look at goal, he takes advantage and makes the opposing keeper earn the save, often out of desperation. One would think it’s only a matter of time before Paladini finds the back of the net. I believe once he does, we will see goals on a more regular basis when he fills the attacking mid position at the top of the diamond for Chicago.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
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