Chicago 2012 Preview

So another season is just around the corner for the Chicago Fire. Some changes have been made to the team but the core group, which finished as one of the hottest teams in the MLS, remains intact for the 2012 season. There are many questions that I have been asking myself about the changes and what has to happen for this season in order for the Fire to get back to the dominance that they were accustomed to for many years. Well now that I have to decided to write a blog, I can know have an outlet to express my opinions and concerns for my beloved Chicago Fire.

First off, a little bit about myself. My name is Adam Merges and I hail from the western suburbs of Chicago. I have been going to Fire games since ’98 and have been influenced by some sort of soccer throughout my life. If it wasn’t watching the 1986 or 1990 World Cups at home with my dad and brothers on Spanish stations (because at the time the Spanish stations were the only channels to air the World Cup without commercial interruption) or playing in the infamous BBSL, soccer has always been there. I do also follow other teams and leagues around the world but I can honestly say that I only support 2 teams: Chicago Fire and Arsenal FC.

Well let’s get this preview started:

Goalkeepers:

Out: Alec Dufty(Not brought back) and Jon Conway(Retired)

In: Jay Nolly(Trade with Vancouver) and Paolo Tornaghi(Tralist Signed)

This is a considerable upgrade and the Fire should feel good about themselves considering that Johnson should be missing a considerable amount of time to join the USA U-23’s for Olympic qualifying and the Olympics themselves.

Defenders:

Out: Yamith Cuesta(Loan ended) and Josip Mikulic(Personal reasons)

In: Hunter Jumper(Draft), Austin Berry(Draft), and Arne Friedrich(Free transfer)

It seemed at first that the losses of Cuesta and Mikulic would make the Fire thin at center back but the additions of Friedrich and Berry provides depth at that position. Singing Arne could be the best signing this year for the Fire provided he stays healthy. Arne brings experience from playing in Germany and playing on the German National Team for almost 10 years. According to reports Berry and Jumper have been fitting in with the team so well that it may prove to put Siriboe and Pantazopoulos as the odd men out.

Midfielders:

Out: Baggio Husidic(Option declined) and Mike Banner(Waived)

In: Rafael Robayo(Loan from Millionarios)

With the addition of Robayo and the players already at the club(Pause, Nyarko, Pappa, Pardo, Paladini, Bone, Videira, Pineda, and Grazzini) this creates a very good problem for Klopas this season. Talk about competition for playing time in the midfield. With Paladini improving his play in the preseason and Robayo coming in who can play on the right side and is a very good box to box midfield and reports are that he will give 110% every game who do you sit? Klopas has stated that he will play his best 11 every game but does that mean he plays Robayo instead of Pause the captain? This is going to be a good problem for Klopas this season.

Forwards:

Out: Diego Chaves(Option declined), Christian Nazarit(Option declined), Gabriel Ferrari(Released)

In: Frederico Puppo(Loan from Danubio), Kheli Dube(Re-entry draft), and Orr Barouch(Permanent transfer from Tigres)

The Fire are hoping that Oduro’s form of scoring a career high 12 goals carries over to 2012. The signing of Puppo and Dube provides depth at the position and the permanent signing of Barouch gives the Fire an option to bring on a target forward that can play next to the other forwards. As the preseason has showed Frank seems intent on starting Nyarko up top with Oduro and having that speed go at opposing defenders.

2012 Prediction:

               Being the pessimist that I am, I always bring up questions about signings and tactics with the Fire. I think that this team will make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 provided a couple things happen.

1.      Oduro has to continue to score goals. If last year was a fluke year and he does not produce the other forwards on the roster have to pick up the slack. If they cannot the burden of scoring goals will fall on the shoulders of the attacking mids and I don’t see how this team can win if all of the offense is coming from the middle of the park.

2.      The midfield and defense has to stay healthy. If our center backs stay healthy I believe we have the most depth at that position than any other team in the league and with their experience combined with youth will be able to shut down any attack in the league. Our midfield also has to stay healthy especially Grazzini, Nyarko, and Pardo. We all saw what happened last year in the Open Cup Final when Grazzini is not on the field. There was no creativity, no flow, and the Fire continued playing long balls to Oduro hoping that his speed would help. Pardo has to be out there every game because of his experience and the ability he has to read the game. Yes, I think that Pause is capable of filling in for Pardo but Pardo cannot miss extensive periods of time. At times Nyarko is the most dangerous player the Fire have out on the field and he needs to be out there providing those runs on the wings to open up the opposing defenses.

Here is how I think the MLS season will shape up:

·        Out in the West: 1.LA Galaxy 2.Seattle Sounders 3.RSL 4.Portland Timbers 5.Vancouver Whitecaps 6.FC Dallas 7.Colorado Rapids 8.San Jose Earthquakes 9.Chivas USA

·        In the East: 1.SKC 2.Houston Dynamo 3.New York Redbulls 4.Chicago Fire 5.DC United 6.Toronto FC 7.Columbus Crew 8.Philadelphia Union 9.Montreal Impact 10.New England

MLS Cup goes to: LA Galaxy. They have arguably the best team in the league and barring any injuries and international call ups this team is just too good in all positions. LA wins 3-1 over Chicago.