The Fire visit D.C. United tonight in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinal, won 3-2 by Chicago. Tonight’s contest also features a match-up of Chicago’s league leading defense (3 goals conceded in 2008) versus DC’s potent offense (at least on paper).
The Fire have been in excellent form of late, most recently knocking off New England 3-0 Saturday night. Chicago has not been spectacular so far this season, but the side has been extremely steady and has 13 points from six games to show for it.
I think tonight’s match will likely be decided, however, by the play of United – probably the most up and down team in MLS so far this season. DC, in just six games, has tallied two 4-1 decisions, but also dropped their other four matches by a combined ten goals to one. If the Fire can strike early and shake DC’s confidence, there’s a good chance tonight’s match will be smooth sailing for Chicago.
The Fire have, however, permitted a truckload more chances than you’d expect of the top defensive team in the league, and if United’s Luciano Emilio can find his form tonight, DC could easily be on the victory trail. I definitely think that there are at least a couple of goals in tonight’s contest, so whoever strikes first will probably decide the outcome of the match.
A few notes:
- Given the contributions of Chris Rolfe and John Thorrington to last Saturday’s victory, it seems like a given that head coach Denis Hamlett will trot out the same eleven for opening kickoff tonight. Tomasz Frankowski should be back from the ankle knock that kept him out of Saturday’s match though, so I’m still nervous that Hamlett will move Rolfe to right mid and start Frankowski next to Chad Barrett up top. I understand the whole putting your best eleven guys on the field philosophy, but with the way Thorrington has played the last two weeks it would seem that Thorrington and Rolfe both belong in that group. Besides, Rolfe now has one goal from the one game he started at forward, whereas Barrett and Frankowski have two apiece from 6 and 5 starts respectively. The decision seems like a no-brainer, but here’s hoping Hamlett does stick with Saturday’s lineup.
- William Conde may be available after recovering from the stomach illness that kept him out of Saturday’s match. I fully expect Hamlett to start the same back four as against New England, but I’d love to get a look at Conde in a defensive midfield role at some point in tonight’s match.
- Chris Rolfe’s game winner against New England was named Sierra Mist Goal of the Week yesterday, surprisingly topping both of the long range strikes David Beckham scored against Real Salt Lake. To be honest, my vote was for Beckham’s bending first goal that found the top corner in a similar manner to Cuautemoc Blanco’s stunner against RSL last year. Congrats to Rolfe on the award though!
- Coverage of tonight’s game starts in about 45 minutes on espn2, at 7:30 ET.
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