mtooley
FIRE knockout Playoff Nemesis, Eastern Final awaits
On Saturday Nov. 7th the Chicago Fire were able to overcome their playoff Nemesis in the second leg of a home and away 2 game quarterfinal in the MLS cup playoffs. After losing the first game 1-0 to the New England Revolution, Chicago were able to advance through to the second round with a 2-0 home win. The game was highly contested as it always is between these two clubs and in the end Chicago was able to advance with goals from Thorrington, and a late winner from Blanco.
The FIRE has now played the Revs (N.E.) for 5 straight seasons in the playoffs. In 2005 we lost to New England in the Eastern Conference finals with what was thought to be one of the best FIRE teams ever. Then in 2006 we snuck into the playoffs and met the Revs in the first round and were once again knocked out. In 2007 came Cuauhtémoc Blanco, a capped Mexican international. With Blanco pulling the strings the FIRE were back to the Eastern Conference Finals, but whom did we have to play? The Revs. After beating D.C. United in the first round the FIRE once again lost to the Revs in the conference finals. In 2008 we again met the Revs in the first round, this time beating them to advance to the conference finals, where we lost to Columbus (eventual champion).
After four years of heartbreak the FIRE are once again in the spotlight, with one more win needed to put us into the MLS Cup Final. The last four years have been filled with playoff disappointment for FIRE supporters. This year’s season has been filled with ups, downs, and a huge grey space. The FIRE has been quite dull for much of the season, hardly what fans and most experts thought going into the year. The FIRE frontline, midfield and defense looked set to be the best team in the league this year. Due to many injury knocks through parts of the season including players like McBride, Segares, Conde, Blanco, and Thorrington, the FIRE struggled to produce goals. That was simply our biggest problem all year, and we failed to capitalize on many games we should have been victorious, instead we drew and had to settle for one point.
With that said, we can look forward to this Eastern Conference Final now. The overall theme of the conference finals the last four years has been home advantage. The FIRE will play in its 8th conference final/MLS semi-final in club history and fourth in the last five years this Saturday against Real Salt Lake. Since it seams like forever, we can finally rejoice that the game is at our home field in Bridgeview at Toyota Park. In the Chicago’s previous 3 conference final trips we have played on the road in the one game, winner advances, Eastern Conference Finals, and we lost all of them.
That is enough to keep me optimistic for this game, I finally get to watch our guys battle it out for the chance to go to the Final (in Seattle). The FIRE has been a successful, respectable, consistent franchise since it’s existence (1997, 98 first MLS season). Since 1998 we have been to the playoffs 10 times, won 1 MLS Championship, and have lifted the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup (USA’s longest running tournament) 4 times, one short of the record 5. Needless to say, we’ve been quite successful. However, we crave our 2nd championship.
There is no doubt that the atmosphere in Bridgeview will be excellent for Real Salt lake just as it was against the Revs. Ultimately the FIRE fans, board, players and coach should be expecting to win this match. Expectations are high here, and this FIRE team was put together to win a championship (now). With a poor result could come the exit of head coach Dennis Hamlett who has been given the weapons, and failed to deliver silverware. The lofty expectations are reasonable though. Real Salt Lake crept into the playoffs, getting the last overall seed (8th). They have been inconsistent and shaky at best, but should not be taken lightly after their destruction of the former champs Columbus last round. Robbie Findley is undoubtedly who I am most worried about. He is their most consistent attacker, and has been for some time. Their other two most notable players are their goalkeeper and central midfield stalwart. Rimando is a veteran keeper worth keeping an eye on. He can have bad performances as well as outstanding ones, but with his experience and recent form I would assume he would be on top of his game. In the midfield Beckerman will be a guy we have to shut down. The dread-locked American midfielder works very hard and can be a threat on both sides of the ball.
It’s quite simple for the FIRE. You are at home; you have the loud crowd of 20,000. Don’t let that slip away from the game, and try to score early on. Tactics wise it I don’t expect too many surprises. Thorrington was huge in the win over New England. When he’s in the lineup we are much more dangerous through midfield. His work rate is incredible. He covers tons of ground from box to box and that’s why he creates chances. McBride and Blanco’s importance doesn’t need to be spoken about too much; it is obvious what their performances mean to our chances. Also a great performer in the win over the Revs, Marco Pappa will likely be called on to be inventive and creative down the wing. His control, vision and eye for goal should cause problems to a leaky Salt Lake defense. Look for him to try to receive the ball a lot out wide and then look to cut in with it, either looking for shots or opportunities to lay back for Blanco, McBride, Thorrington and Rolfe.
My prediction for this one might be biased, but it is what it is. It is hard to assume what Salt Lake will do. Even when they were up against Columbus they attacked more. Either way I expect an open game with chances at both ends. I do not expect the FIRE to concede many in this game. The defense has been terrific for many games this season, even with injuries and transfers. CJ Brown is having one of his best seasons ever and has been a huge presence on the field for this team. In the end Il take the FIRE by one goal 2 to 1, advancing to the MLS Cup Final. I am blindly predicting Salt Lake’s goal to come from Andy Williams and from Chicago a 2 goal brace by Brian McBride.
