After two bye weeks in the first 5 weeks of the season, the Chicago Fire are experiencing their first crowded run of games in the month of May, as they prepare this week to wrap up 3 games in 8 days. While their Friday night match in Los Angeles against Chivas USA resulted in a 2-1 win, Chicago is sure to face a far tougher test this week as they take on Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, followed by Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. Both matches are sure to not only test the Fire’s abilities, but their much touted depth as well.
Chicago is still flying high off their win against the Goats, as Marco Pappa’s stoppage time strike helped Chicago escape the Home Depot Center with three points when it seemed a certainty that a single point is all the match would yield. Credit must be given to Chivas’ goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, who put in a phenomenal performance throughout, keeping the score close, when a 4- or 5-1 blowout was totally feasible. Kennedy didn’t have much help however, as Dominic Oduro gave Chivas defenders a tough time, in spite of them playing back to counter his runs. In the end, however, it wouldn’t be Oduro who would add to Pappa’s late tally, as Austin Berry, making his MLS debut against Chivas, would net his first goal with the Fire just minutes after giving up a soft penalty to the Greg Louganis of MLS, Alejandro Moreno. Berry would redeem himself quickly, finding himself on the end of a Sebastian Grazzini volley into the box that he was able to redirect past Kennedy to draw things level, as they would remain before Pappa’s late goal. Overall, Chicago played well in a match that saw them continue to show signs of improvement in their passing, possession, and shot creation/selection.
Chicago will need that momentum as they quickly turn around to face Real Salt Lake, who currently sits in 2nd place in the West behind San Jose. RSL is coming off back-to-back wins against Toronto FC and New England. Neither game featured an overtly strong performance from RSL, as TFC only surrendered the game winning goal to RSL in stoppage time, and New England nearly ran away with a point and pressed hard against RSL in the closing minutes. Previous to that, RSL was on a three game winless streak. Regardless, Salt Lake is still a tough team to play. News broke yesterday, however, that bodes in Chicago’s favor, as RSL will be without goalkeeper Nick Rimando as he nurses a shoulder injury picked up against New England, as well as Will Johnson, the Chicago native who is suspended due to his red card infraction in that same NE match.
As usual, Chicago will have to be wary of Real Salt Lake’s middle defense. Nat Borchers and Jamison Olave are tough in the middle, and Chicago will have to continue to be creative as they’ve shown they can do over their last few matches if they hope to exploit Salt Lake defensively. RSL has surrendered just over a goal per game on average, so Chicago will have to find a way to finish the chances they get, especially against Kyle Reynish, who’s played just 5 matches since joining RSL in 2007. If the Fire can exploit the defense, chances are good they can put a few away in front of their home crowd.
The game against Chivas also saw the Fire fronting a slightly different formation, one that fans could see again against Salt Lake. During the first six matches of the season, Frank Klopas has instituted a 4-4-2 formation, slotting Oduro and Patrick Nyarko alongside one another. Friday’s match saw Oduro up top alone, with Sebastian Grazzini in his central attacking role. With Patrick Nyarko dropping back to right wing, and Marco Pappa on left wing, the formation shifted Logan Pause alongside Pavel Pardo. The formation worked well, and from talk in training this week, it appears Klopas could go with it once again, at least to start the match. Logan Pause, who often would pinch in more centrally when on the wing regardless, seemed more comfortable next to Pardo, as both DM’s did an excellent job of connecting the defense with the attack, and effectively closed off the middle of the pitch against Chivas. Chicago will need to be wary again on Wednesday, as RSL’s attack of Espindola and Saborio have been one of the more dangerous tandems in MLS play early in the 2012 season.
Defensively, it appears that Austin Berry’s strong rookie debut outing against Chivas may have earned him a spot in the starting XI. In spite of the aforementioned penalty, Berry played incredibly strong centrally alongside Arne Friedrich. In addition to his 1st half goal, Berry looked comfortable, and is dangerous on set pieces at 6’2″. Indeed, Berry was able to connect on a number of headers off set pieces, something he thrives on. Along with Friedrich in the middle at 6’1″, Chicago could easily have one of the deepest central defensive units in all MLS. The two central defenders, along with Gonzalo Segares and Dan Gargan, should be able to handle what RSL dishes out.
The question in this match could come down to goalkeeping. With equally potent field positions, it may be a matter of whether or not Chicago can get in the head of Reynish, and whether or not Sean Johnson has worked on any of the weaknesses he has exhibited over the last few weeks since coming back from Olympic qualifying. Johnson, while better against Chivas, still seems indecisive on balls in the air. Until that improves, Chicago is vulnerable in the box, in spite of solid defending. Johnson needs to gain back some of the swagger he had at the end of the 2011 season. The best way to accomplish that is through wins and solid performances, so if Johnson can come out in front of the Toyota Park faithful and post a solid perfomance, he could be on his way to turning a corner and gaining back some of the play that has earned him USMNT callups. If not, it may be time for Frank Klopas to take another look at his first year keeper Paolo Tornaghi, who was serviceable and solid in his three starts at the beginning of the 2012 campaign.
Wednesday also marks the Chicago Fire’s induction of former defender CJ Brown into the “Ring of Fire”, the Fire’s hall of fame. Brown, who played for 13 seasons with the Fire in nearly 400 matches, returns for the second time since hanging up his boots after the 2010 season. Always a fan favorite, and a long-time captain of the club, the distinction of Brown being voted into the Ring of Fire is certainly both a welcome one, and an expected one. The Fire will honor CJ at halftime of the match against Real Salt Lake Wednesday night.
On a personal note, it’s with both excitement and a bit of sadness that I announce my departure from Total MLS. A new opportunity has presented itself, and so this will be my last write up with this great site. I’d like to thank Dustyn Richardson, who brought me on last season and has been amazing to work with and for. I’d also like to thank the other Total MLS writers, past and present. You all have been amazing in representing your teams, and there is a great sense of community here that is only getting better every month.
If you are so inclined, you can connect with me on Twitter (@DFBJeff). In the meantime, keep up your support of Dustyn, all the other writers, and Total MLS. Thank you!!
Image courtesy of Getty Images
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