Match Day #14 Review, Match Day #15 Preview, and Some Talking Points

So I'll make my review and preview quick since it has yet been another busy week. This past Sunday we saw our beloved boys in red and white blue thoroughly put a beating on NY in what i thought had to be our best performance of the season. Goals from Nyarko, Segares, and Rolfe put the game out of reach as the score line finished 3-1. There was the lapse of letting NY score on a corner but all areas of the team played well and effectively shut down NY. Nyarko scored first by nodding(yes that's right he used his head, Thierry Henry doesn't know much about that) in a perfect lob from Grazzini within the first 5 minutes. It seemed that Chicago controlled much of the game in the first half and also enjoyed the majority of the chances also. But in the 2nd half NY came out guns a blazing and was able to find an equalizer in the 55th when McCarty was able to put his head on a corner to slot it past Johnson. This seemed to wake the Fire up and after Grazzini was subbed in the 60th(some talking points about this) and Rolfe came in the Fire started to press to find a winner. Now this was something that we have not seen all season long, a sense of urgency to find the win. Normally we would have to go down a goal or 2 before the team started playing with a sense of urgency. In the 64th Oduro was slotted through and it appeared that Conde was able to clear the ball off the line but all replays show that the ball was clearly over the line. The ref was in a perfect position for the call but in my opinion I think he was scared to make the call. The Fire players were infuriated that both the linesman and the ref missed the call and it worked to the Fire's advantage because it made them seem like a sleeping giant just woke up. In the 68th minute Oduro drove the box and his attempt was pushed away right to Segares who put it into the back of the net with authority. Shortly after in the 81st Rolfe finished the day by tapping in a low cross from Nyarko into a wide open goal. I just have one question from this past Sunday, where the hell has this team been at all season? The Fire looked impressive and everyone enjoyed the game thoroughly.

On to the next game. The Fire host the Crew this Saturday looking not to repeat what happened in Columbus over Memorial Day Weekend. The last time these 2 teams played only one showed up ready to play. The Fire looked horrible and to me personally it was painful to watch. Granted we were missing a few starters and we subbed one of those in at the start of the 2nd half but that should be no excuse as to why the Fire looked like crap. Well this weekend should be different, the team should be pumped up and ready to go after coming off the impressive win against NY. The only regular that was hoping to be back this weekend but instead is going to wait until the following week is Freidrich. Other than that the Fire should have a full available line up. The Crew looking to improve on a 0-0 tie with the Revs have only Orourke looking to come back from injury. I ave to say this just like last week, this is a must win game for the Fire. as the standings are now the Crew are 2 points behind the Fire with a game in hand. A win by the Crew would vault them above the Fire and put them in a good position to stay above the Fire in playoff positioning. A win by the Fire on the other hand would put some room between them and the Crew and also keep them within striking distance of NY with a game in hand. I can see the Fire pulling this one out in a hard fought game that might see a red or 2, final score 3-0 Fire with Rolfe, Nyarko, and Pardo getting on the score sheet.

Well now to some talking points:

• Well last week it was posted that Puppo is considered a DP, well what the hell is that? Why hasn't someone been fired for spending DP money on a player that doesn't have the size or ability to play in the MLS? If Andrew is looking to save money one way would be to fire the person responsible for picking a player like that.
• We also know by now what happened with Grazzini when he was subbed out during Sunday's game. Well all of this contract confusion and him walking into the locker room before the end of the game seems to be all a misunderstanding and that both sides are still talking about his option that the club holds. To me he needs to be resigned because we con not afford to lose our playmaker mid season. He has also earned that extension.
• The transfer window opens up next week and it is rumored that the fire will sign someone during that window. Who they will try to sign remains to be seen. Hopefully it is that target striker that this team has been missing for years now, but who knows we have seen stranger things happen. We will just have to wait and see what happens. The Fire have also signed some mistakes and I pray to god they do not spend DP money on another Puppo.

Well that's it for this week, I'll have more next week after this weekends game. Enjoy Saturday everybody should be some gorgeous weather for a little tailgating and a Fire win.