League-wide, MLS in 2007 averaged 1.33 goals per team per game. This year, that figure is up slightly, to 1.42 goals per team per game. The Fire last year averaged 1.2 goals against for the season. This year, with league scoring up, the Fire goals against average is down to 0.43. The last regular-season game in which the Fire gave up two goals was last Sept. 15 vs. Red Bulls. Since that game, in 13 regular season games, the team goals against average is 0.54. Counting three playoff games (3 goals against), the average over the last 16 games is 0.63. This is pretty remarkable. Our back line, which played poorly in the first half of last season, has been excellent: It's easy to pick on Bakary Soumary for the horrible own goal vs. Salt Lake, but otherwise, he has been outstanding. He's so much taller than everybody else in the penalty area that he can head balls out of trouble before anyone on the attacking side has a chance. Diego Gutierrez has been flawless in playing the ball in the defensive third. Brandon Prideaux has done a good job of transitioning from defense to attack. This is something Wilman Conde did so well last year, and Prideaux's ability in this area, I think, is what has kept Conde on the bench. Gonzalo Segares has pushed forward into the midfield and attacking third, and almost scored Thursday vs. D.C. I think the team is generating offense with Rolfe and Chad up top, and Blanco, Mapp and Thorrington at midfield. Logan Pause has really played well defensively in his defensive midfield spot, allowing Gonzalo to push forward when he can. Pause doesn't give you much offense, though. The big question is, what will happen when C.J. Brown returns from his injury, and Lider Marmol gets his visa. Plus there's the fact that Conde and Dasan Robinson are collecting dust on the bench. These guys will be needed. A team is never as good as it looks when it is winning. Somebody will get injured, or tired, or become less effective, and these guys will be needed. We are well positioned. Maybe this is our year, I say on May 11.
