The Chicago Fire come into Toyota Park feeling much better than in previous weeks to face defending MLS Cup holders Colorado Rapids on Saturday night. After handing Toronto FC a defeat at Toyota Park last weekend, the Fire hope to take advantage of a partially fatigued Rapids side that saw action earlier this week in CONCACAF Champions League action. They also hope to build some momentum off their first win at home since the March 26th home opener against Sporting KC, and first win in MLS match play since June 12th, when a stoppage time goal by Cristian Nazarit gave them the late victory.
Although Colorado fielded a mix of starters and reservists Tuesday night, they have covered many miles. With the Fire preparing for a big game Tuesday against Richmond Kickers that could ultimately send them to the USOC Finals, it’s likely that Klopas will go with a different look against Colorado than in previous matches. With the limitations in USOC play on how many internationals can be fielded for the match, it may be feasible that Klopas sends out a more international look for Saturday’s game, while still trying to put forth the best squad to come away with three points. While different areas of the formation have struggled throughout the year, there are a number of resources Klopas has at his disposal for Saturday’s match. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Chicago would perhaps field a squad Saturday that looks more similar to squads trotted out earlier in the season, while Tuesday’s match against Richmond looks more like a “pull out the stops” lineup bent on advancing past Richmond to face either FC Dallas or Seattle in the USOC Final slated for October 4th.
Regardless of what lineup changes, if any, Klopas decides to make ahead of Saturday’s match, one person the Fire will certainly lean on is team goal leader Dominic Oduro. Oduro, who has netted 8 goals this season for Chicago, has put the Fire on the board in three of their last four matches. Dominic’s speed up top, along with fellow Ghanaian Patrick Nyarko, has been an asset to the Fire offense as of late. It’s possible, however, that Klopas might change the pairing up top, allowing either Nyarko or Oduro some additional rest coming into Tuesday’s USOC match. The more realistic scenario would find Nyarko and Oduro teaming up as strikers Saturday night, with earlier-than-normal substitutions around the 60th or 70th minute, rather than allowing either player to go a full 90 minutes.
What will probably be more of an in-game decision for Klopas is his strategy with recent Argentine signing Sebastian Grazzini. Klopas has yet to field Grazzini for a full 90 minutes (although he played 88 minutes against TFC), and while the effect of his playmaking ability is evident when he’s on the pitch, Klopas will surely want him as fresh and ready as possible for Tuesday. If Chicago has the game in hand (something that has yet to take place this season), Grazzini may come off earlier. The same can be said if Chicago ends up playing for the draw for some unforeseeable reason. Otherwise, Klopas may be forced to keep him in longer if Chicago is in the position of going for the win.
I’m predicting that Klopas will send out a squad Saturday that is as strong as can be expected, with a real possibility of some primary subs being inserted as starters. As the game progresses, Klopas will need to decide what course of action he takes, based on the tone of the game, to allow Chicago to put forth the best team possible Tuesday night. Fatigue will be a factor for Richmond as well, who is also playing a USL playoff semi-final match Saturday against Orlando City. Regardless of Richmond’s fitness coming into Tuesday’s match, Chicago has made it clear, unlike many of their MLS counterparts, that this is a tournament they are throwing everything at to win. After last year’s disappointment in USOC play, the fans as well as the organization have voiced how important this tournament is being treated by the Fire, and they’ve shown it thusfar, fighting their way through tough games (San Jose) and one-sided blow-outs (NYRB). In addition, Chicago beat these same Colorado Rapids in Peoria, Illinois during the play-in phase of the Cup tournament, and they are an impressive 13-3-2 against the Rapids in matches played in Chicago.
Having just broken the record for draws in a season against DC United, it’s difficult to say that Chicago a strong favorite to win Saturday. Still, this is a different team today than the one that started this season, both in composition as well as attitude and morale. One of the things Chicago did right against Toronto was to take the intensity of their first half play and not let up in the second half by making crucial mistakes or surrendering a goal. If Chicago can successfully do that again on Saturday, they’ll be looking at their first back-to-back wins in 16 months, and a climb just a little bit further up the standings.
Prediction: Fire 2:1 Colorado
A final note: All our best wishes, thoughts and prayers to those who are in the path of Hurricane Irene. Please be safe.
Image courtesy of chicago-fire.com
