There’s something inherently infuriating about MLS’s Power Rankings. The entirely arbitrary ‘rankings,’ which seem to be designed to appeal to the inchoate and quixotic logic used by college football fanatics, come out weekly and only serve to provide a premise to berate the league. This last week’s rankings put San Jose, Kansas City, Houston, New York, and Salt Lake City in that order as the top five teams in the league. The next five rankings of would-be playoff teams have Seattle, Vancouver, Chicago, Los Angeles, and DC in that order. What’s funny about this is that it places Chicago eighth, only ahead of the Galaxy and DC United yet the Fire are the sixth best team in all of MLS. The idea that a team given up more goals, played more games, and has less points than Chicago should be placed ahead of them is, at best, debatable (Vancouver) as is the notion that a team that has won fewer games, lost more games, and has a goal differential more than twice that of Chicago’s (Seattle).
There is perhaps a case to be made that Power Rankings are about determining what teams are in the best form. If that were the case one would imagine that a win over Vancouver, a road win over New York, a road draw (that should have been a win but for poor officiating) with San Jose, and decisive wins over Toronto and Philadelphia would factor. Let’s put it another way, over their last five games Chicago have collected 13 points. So to say that the Fire is the eighth best team in MLS reveals a willful ignorance (apparently shared). I suppose I should just let it go, I mean the Chicago Fire did have three players in the Team of the Week for week 23—forward Chris Rolfe, defender Arne Friedrich, and goalkeeper Troy Perkins…wait…
My point in bringing this up is that MLS analysts and pundits regularly ignore the Chicago Fire in favor of weaker and underperforming squads, seemingly only giving notice to the team when things go awry. However, Chicago has gone about setting its house in order. The friction caused by the poor handling of Sebastian Grazzini (who has recently been linked with Argentine clubs Atletico de Rafaela and Club Olimpo but whether these are for full transfers or loans is anyone’s guess) has been alleviated by the continually strengthening performances of Sherjill MacDonald and a Chris Rolfe who looks to have found his form. Last weekend’s dismantling of Philadelphia was due in large part to the duo. It’s vital that Chicago’s attack finds its footing for two reasons, one a short-term concern and the other long-term.
Wednesday’s Reserve League game saw Dominic Oduro start and come away with a goal and an assist. Having picked up a bit of knock two weeks ago, it made sense keeping any rust from forming; also, the production informally ended a 446 minute drought (his last goal came on June 23rd). Too much pressure has been put on Oduro to be the primary goal scorer and this has inevitably led to a dearth of goals. Of the teams currently in the playoff hunt, Chicago is tied for the fewest goals scored (although only two teams are ahead of them for fewest goals surrendered). Rolfe getting hot comes at a good time given that Marco Pappa is also in good form; the two have combined for nearly half of the team’s total.
This leads us to the long-term concern, this week’s news that Marco Pappa will be leaving MLS after the season to join top flight Dutch side SC Heerenveen. Fortunately, like Chris Rolfe, Chicago will retain Pappa’s rights should he decide to return to the league. Pappa’s departure will leave a significant hole. So far this season Pappa has netted six goals, tallied four assists, and by far taken the most shots; he is a major attacking threat. The move puts the acquisition of Alvaro Fernandez from Seattle in a clearer light. It will be Fernandez who will be expected to shoulder the burden of replacing Pappa’s production. Thus far, Fernandez hasn’t wowed the fan base but he has performed adequately. The honeymoon might be ending soon given his Designated Player status. Having played in a midweek friendly against Paraguay, Pappa may not start on Saturday. If this is the case, Fernandez will be expected to produce something tangible.
More significant news for this week’s match against New England is that captain Logan Pause will be out for 4-6 weeks with two broken ribs suffered after a colliding with Philadelphia’s centerback Bakary Soumare. Captain Pause has started every game for the Fire this season, the loss is a blow. Fortunately, Chicago is deep in the midfield. Most likely, Daniel Paladini will step in to partner with Pavel Pardo in the dual holding role of the Fire’s favored formation, if not Paladini then definitely Alex. But if manager Frank Klopas wanted to tinker with his formation or line-up this would be the opportunity. Corben Bone, Michael Videira, and Victor Pineda could each make their case for more playing time. In the midweek Reserves march, Pineda certainly did impress, Bone has been patiently waiting for his chance, and Videira has a certain utility given his comfort at playing multiple positions. In all reality though it would seem one of these three will find their way into the game day 18…that is, if they all aren’t bumped for a now healthy Steve Kinney.
In the last meeting with New England at their rented Patriots Stadium, the Revolution came away deservedly victorious; Chicago will be looking to even the season series as it comes to their house. An unlucky thirteen points out of a playoff spot, it is looking less and less likely that the Revs will make it into the post-season. Just as Chicago has gotten hot over this last month, the Revs have nearly frozen up—three straight losses, only one point out of their last eighteen. As New England have recently pointed out the vast majority of their losses have been by a one-goal margin, what the Revs fail to acknowledge is that the squad is averaging one goal a game. The fact is, once Saer Sene scores that’s it for New England. If Chicago can frustrate Sene (which shouldn’t be too difficult), then all that remains is to keep casual tabs on Lee Nguyen, who may not even be in the starting IX due to a foot injury. Given the form that new DP Honduran Jerry Bengtson showed in the Olympics, big things should be expected. If New England are going to turn things around and make a push, Bengtson has to turn it on as does hot/cold (mostly cold) Benny Feilhaber (who tore apart Chicago early this season for his only goal and his only assist).
Going into Saturday’s match, Chicago will be looking to continue their fine run of form and push back against the disdain of many and most MLS homers and pundits. New England are desperate for a win and could be a squad that flails about dangerously, a momentary lapse could see the Revolution come away with a win which would seriously hinder the Fire’s playoff run. It would be unfair to think of the Revs as spoilers, at this point they still have hopes however slim, but matches between the Revs and Fire are always chippy and heated.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
