Match Day #14 Preview and What The Hell Were They Smoking?

So this Sunday at TP, the Fire host New York or New Jersey or In Between Redbulls in a vital Eastern Conference clash. The Fire are looking to come off the 2 week break refreshed and looking to put an end to a run of poor form. The last 5 games have seen the Fire win once and lose the other 4, thats including the depressing loss in the Open Cup to the Bucks. The worse part about those 5 games is that the Fire has looked toothless and sloppy all over the pitch. Hopefully with this 2 week break they have had the chance to tighten things up defensively and work on the attacking side of the field. The Fire seem to be healthy with the normal injuries of Gibbs and Kinney. Friedrich looks to be all set after his spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury but he has said he might wait another week to come back just to be on the safe side. The Redbulls on the other hand were hoping to get back Henry into the lineup but they have announced he is out for Sunday as well as Marquez who picked up a knock while playing for Mexico.

This could be a winnable game for the Fire. The only way they can win is if they play smart, try to play without sitting back and looking to counter, and try to pressure the Redbulls. I have stressed this over and over but it seems that the Fire do not make any adjustments while the game is going. It seems that they like to try to play one style and not make any adjustments to the way the opposing team is playing. Another problem that might prevent the Fire getting a win is how the Fire's central defense pairing of Anibaba/Berry/Friedrich(depending on who starts) is able to handle Kenny Cooper who i tied for the league lead in goals so far this season. As he normally plays as a lone striker with Henry being out NY's offense will look to go through him. It is imarpitive that they limit his chances and that the outside backs can stop the wingers from providing service also. The Fire also have to finish the chances that they get. The last game against New England the Fire had chances but couldn't finish as they hit the post twice and squandered other chances. The offense has got to get going if they expect to make an appearance in the 2012 MLS Playoffs. I honestly think we might be ble to squeak out a 2-1 win here, if i'm wrong we will probably lose 3-0.

Now to the "What the hell were they smoking?" segment. Go ahead and take a look at the list of designated players in the league right now here. Once you find the player that does not belong on the list you will start to wonder "What the hell were they smoking?" I'll go further into it during my match rewind after this weekend.

See everybody at the game on Sunday and here is to a Fire victory.