The Chicago Fire’s visit to PPL Park to face the Philadelphia Union was as much of a roller coaster as the Fire have experienced this season. The result, unfortunately, was a break of their four game draw streak, however, as ultimately they fell to the Union 2-1.
Carlos de los Cobos fielded a similar starting XI to the previous few matches, with a couple of exceptions. Bratislav Ristic saw his first start since the season opener against FC Dallas, this time starting at right back in place of Jalil Anibaba, while Baggio Husidic started in place of Gaston Puerari. In addition, Yamith Cuesta got the start again over Josip Mikulic, who is still nursing a shoulder injury sustained against Colorado a few weeks back. It’s likely that some of the formation strategy here was done in light of Tuesday’s US Open Cup qualifier against San Jose. It would likely be the only strategic move worth mentioning by de los Cobos on the night.
The first half started well for the Fire, who put lots of early pressure on the Union with solid passing and generating some decent chances on goal. Nothing resulted from the early chances, but it was good to see a Fire team that wasn’t sitting back, nor struggling to find a groove early on. By all indications, we saw the continuation of a team that rode the same momentum that earned them a come-from-behind draw last week against Toronto.
Around the 20th minute, however, the tide turned in Philadelphia’s favor. In the 21st minute, the Fire nearly fell asleep on a quick throw-in by the Union that caught them off guard, resulting in a run at goal. Chances would come again as Ruiz was given a clear look at Conway on multiple occasions. The solid play of the first 20 minutes gave way to the Fire playing more on their heels the last 25 minutes, as Philly clearly controlled play for the rest of the half.
Bright spots in the first half, even in the midst of the momentum shift, were Dominic Oduro and Baggio Husidic. Both exhibited great hustle in the first half, going after balls and saving possession on multiple plays. Oduro showcased his speed throughout the game, and Baggio proved why he’s worthy of a starting position. Conversely, Diego Chaves, playing the lone striker role as he has since the formation switch to a 4-1-4-1, continues to look uninspired, frustrated, and even whiny at times. No doubt his performance was somewhat hindered by a foot contusion he suffered this week in training, but Chaves’ issues seem to go back further than that, as his last few games have seen the same attitude and frustration evident in the Uruguayan striker.
Perhaps Carlos de los Cobos saw this as well, or perhaps it was the nagging foot issue, but regardless, the second half saw Orr Barouch come on for Chaves up top, a move that ended up being lateral, rather than a difference maker for the final 45. Barouch saw little chances come his way, and the Fire formation many times ended up playing less like a 4-1-4-1, and more like a 4-1-5. The back and forth continued for most of the first 15 minutes of the half. Good buildups on both sides resulted in little.
In the 61st minute, Logan Pause, the Fire captain who was just coming off a hamstring injury, and Gaston Puerari, were subbed in for Corben Bone and Baggio Husidic. With this move, Carlos de los Cobos moved the squad into a 4-4-2, giving Puerari and Barouch duties up top. Not sure what CDLC’s strategy was here….at all. Not only did he sub in his final two substitutions with 30 minutes left in the match, but he failed to use new Colombian acquisition Cristian Nazarit. Nazarit had played in the Fire’s reserve game earlier in the week, scoring the Fire’s only goal in that match, and looked solid and speedy. One has to wonder what the thinking was here. Logan Pause is a class act, and he’s a good soccer player. On the other hand though, adding him to the squad on the pitch made no difference. For a strategic move that could’ve paid dividends for the Fire, it would seem that Puerari could have come in for Bone, and Nazarit later for Husidic. With a frontline of Barouch and Nazarit, with the speed of Dominic Oduro on the wing, we could have seen a much more deadly offensive threat in the Fire.
The tide turned for good in the 64th minute. After a questionable call by a questionable officiating crew in Philadelphia’s offensive end, a set piece unfolded that resulted in Michael Farfan blasting a low drive to the right of Fire GK Jon Conway. Conway was frozen, not even moving to make a play on the shot, although it appears he may have been screened on the play. It was a solid strike from Farfan, albeit one that could have been stopped by a different keeper in net.
The Fire, in seemingly typical Fire fashion, pressed back however. Just four minutes later, in the 68th minute, Dominic Oduro carried up the right side off a pass from Gonzalo Segares, blasting a shot past Union keeper Mondragon that was reminiscent of his first goal against LA Galaxy in April. That goal gave the Fire definite momentum, as they continued to press the issue against Philadelphia, looking to put their club ahead with another strike. That strike nearly came minutes later, as buildup from the Fire saw Gaston Puerari put a shot past Mondragon that was a sure goal, until defender Sheanon Williams charged towards goal to deflect the shot just before it crossed the goal line.
That would prove to be the dagger in the Fire’s heart, as just minutes after, in the 75th minute, Carlos Ruiz would collect a ball some 30 yards out after a blocked free kick, and volleyed it towards goal. Conway, who was up towards the six, would not have the time nor the quickness to get back in time to keep the shot from glancing off the top post, and into the goal. While the goal was a fluke, it cannot be called unlucky, as Ruiz did what any offensively minded player would do in that situation. You collect the ball in that position, and you put it on goal, because those are the types of shots that, while maybe not intended, do go in. Ruiz did the job, and the Union had the lead.
After a Ruiz goal again found the Fire on their heels, they pushed back hard in the final 10 minutes, trying to generate chances and bring an equalizer. At times in the final minutes, the Fire pushed everyone forward, with the backline pushing deep into the Philadelphia defensive third.
The result would stand, however, with the Union scoring twice in a match for the first time this season, and the Fire giving up points that, given their flashes of good play in the match, could have easily been theirs for the taking. After walking away from another match without three points, it’s safe to say that some hard questions need to be asked of Carlos de los Cobos, and that changes need to be made if Chicago wants to bring anything positive out of the 2011 campaign.
(image courtesy of chicago-fire.com)
