Match Day #2 Rewind

Match Day #2 Rewind and Player Ratings

            After the first drab and lifeless first game against Montreal, Saturday night’s home opener versus the Union was a nice change of pace for about the first 75 minutes. The Fire came out with great possession and nice intricate passing in the midfield and great counter attacking soccer. Right from the beginning there was something different about the Fire, it seemed that they had a sense of urgency to prove to the home crowd that they can compete. The Fire created multiple chances throughout the entire game but only capitalized on one of them. That chance was a fantastic piece of work from Pappa on the right side when he took on 2 defenders and got off a well placed cross that was met by the head of Oduro. There was also Grazzini’s shot before the goal and also the break by Oduro that was cleared off the line by Albright in the first half. In the second half Pappa had a shot off the outside of the post, Puppo and Oduro had a nice combo that was not finished and at the end of the game Oduro had a break that was saved nicely by an oncoming Macmath in the Union goal. But the last 15 minutes the Fire were on the back foot defending the Union who were desperately trying to find an equalizer but couldn’t find a way past Tornaghi. And so the first home game proved to be a night that the Fire can build on who head out to Colorado, who were routed by the Redbulls today, on April 1^st for a nationally televised game.

Player Ratings

Tornaghi- (7) Solid display once again from the young Italian including some quick distribution that led to several counter attack chances. He is starting to pose the question of “what happens when Johnson returns from U-23 duty?”

Segares- (5.5) Not a great game and not a bad game, just did his job and a got it done.

Anibaba and Gibbs- (6) Played well and held off the lifeless Union attack and the late game surge. Both had chances on the other end off of set pieces.

Gargan- (5.5) Just like Segares played well and did his job.

Pardo- (6) Directed the middle very well until having to come out 70^th minute.

Pause- (5.5) Played well especially on the defensive end disrupting possible attacks.

Pappa- (6.5) Played probably his best offensive game since the hat trick game last year against RSL. Still ignores his defensive responsibilities from time to time.

Nyarko- (6) Played well in combination with Grazzini and Oduro on the left side.

Grazzini- (6) Controlled the attack and the play through the middle. He looked like he had fresher legs than last week, especially playing in front of the home crowd.

Oduro- (6.5) Scored yet again and had a few other opportunities that he could have put away. Now people are calling out the “Oduro doubters” because he has scored 2 goals in 2 games, but remember he has scored only 28 goals in 152 league games. Maybe he just needed more consistent playing time or maybe this run he is on won’t last. We have 32 more games to find out.