Chicago gets ready to face Philadelphia Union for the second time this Wednesday, essentially starting the second half of their season after a two and a half week break from MLS play. After a month of July that saw Chicago trade Dasan Robinson to Toronto FC for Dan Gargan, sign Argentine Sebastian Grazzini, and bring on Mexican International and Club America star Pavel Pardo, Chicago hopes to have brought together the last pieces necessary to turn around from a disappointing 2-6-12 record.
Still, Klopas thinks the break was good for the Fire, one that was necessary to reset the club as they prepare to take on the latter part of the 2011 season. “It’s been good for the guys to get a few days off and get away. It’s not only physical, it’s mental too. You come back, and you get excited again, but the time off definitely helps. I think everyone is looking forward and they’re excited to finish the season off strong.”
As with any move made by a club after the midseason transfer window, one of Frank Klopas’ main concerns with Grazzini and Pardo is fitness. Both have seen considerable time away from match play, whereas veteran defender Dan Gargan has been in full swing, having started 12 matches while north of the border with Toronto. When asked whether it would be a factor with Chicago preparing to play six MLS and a USOC match in the month of August, Klopas said, “It’s a long season and a lot of games and you’ve got to be able to count on all the players. I think the additions have made our team stronger in certain areas and I think that’s going to come in handy especially with the amount of games. It helps you feel comfortable when there’s a good balance from the team.”
Chicago has seen a break in action while other MLS clubs have continued to play matches, having some 18 days between their previous match against Portland, and Wednesday’s clash with Philadelphia. When it comes to the new additions to the club and their impact on play moving forward, as well as their time together in training, however, Klopas is optimistic. “I think they’re good players. With anything, it’s just time. Everyone’s in a different situation right now. Dan’s been in the league and he’s a guy that’s been training, but Grazzini and Pardo just have to get games under their belt. You can do all the running, but you need games under your legs especially when you’ve been in the off-season. So it’s been good that they’ve been training together. Everyday’s getting better and better from a fitness standpoint.”
Newcomer Dan Gargan was equally optimistic about his move to Chicago, playing with a new club in a new city. “I really can’t explain how happy I am to be here. It’s so nice. It’s so refreshing on the field and off, and in the locker room. This is a great group of guys. The coaches are down to earth and honest with what they want and what they want to see. It’s just a breath of fresh air.” I asked Dan what he hopes he can bring to a Chicago defense that’s been known to give problems to the opposition since Frank Klopas took the helm. “I think there’s obviously a good core here. I think I’m going to fit in well. I pride myself on being an honest player. I’ll work hard going forward and in the back, and I think when I’m asked to contribute I can bring some toughness and leadership and a veteran presence and good mentality. So I hope to just fit in where I can and keep this strong defense going and pick up some three’s here along the way.”
In his first days of training, Gargan showed exactly that, with some solid defensive play in the team scrimmage, as well as numerous Segares-like overlapping runs, something Gargan enjoys and feels more freedom to incorporate under Chicago’s system. “I like to get forward, it’s a part of my game that I wasn’t able to do as much in Toronto this year. With the wings we had, we were playing a different style. It would get kind of congested moving forward, but I think I’ve got the pace and the endurance to be able to do that. It’s a part of my game that I try to focus on and want to bring here.”
With the addition of a playmaker in Grazzini, a holding mid in Pavel Pardo that can aptly send balls forward to the wings as well, and new blood in Dan Gargan that can step up when needed as a solid defensive presence, or make those overlapping runs into the offensive third ala Gonzalo Segares, Chicago looks to hopefully have the pieces in place that will turn things around in Bridgeview and start Chicago on that long overdue run towards double digit wins and maybe even a possible playoff spot. They hope to do so when they face Philadelphia Union at Toyota Park on Wednesday evening.
Image courtesy of Chicago Fire
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