Official Chicago Fire @ DC United POST Match Thread [R]

[Knave]

Chicago Fire 3 :: 2 DC United

Son

of

a

bitch!

No Flames - No Trolls

[s0ccerm0m]

At least we didn't get any red cards or apparent injuries.

[s0ccerm0m]

I can't really fault Nick on any of the goals, and he saved a PK, so despite the score, he looked okay tonight.

[LowEnd]

Our goals against average is taking a nose dive. Looking at stats since the Galaxy game in July, we're almost at 2 goals against a game.

Anyone have a good explanation for why this is? Is our form breaking down? Are people blowing their mark? Are the 'keepers messing up?

I feel like until July, our defense was pretty much kevlar. But now it seems like our defense is a sieve. The three back there are the best we have, and they're all solid defenders. Is the midfield letting too much in? I just can't figure out, but it's making me nuts.

[DoctorD]

I can't really fault Nick on any of the goals, and he saved a PK, so despite the score, he looked okay tonight.Organizing the defense? They looked unsettled. Communication with his defenders was one of Nick's problems. When someone gets back from the game can they comment on this?

[Longshoe]

Organizing the defense? They looked unsettled. Communication with his defenders was one of Nick's problems. When someone gets back from the game can they comment on this?

That could definitely be part of it. The thing that stood out to me today was how often people were losing their mark. The second and third goals were a prime example of this.

I don't know if it's a lack of organization, or a lack of focus, or a little of both. It's something that really needs to be addressed quickly. If not, our offense better be ready to put up lots of goals to make up for it.

[Bill-DC]

I missed the first half because I went to the movies but I was screaming at Erpen in the second half. He can't get any worse, can he?

[s0ccerm0m]

Our goals against average is taking a nose dive. Looking at stats since the Galaxy game in July, we're almost at 2 goals against a game.

Anyone have a good explanation for why this is? Is our form breaking down? Are people blowing their mark? Are the 'keepers messing up?

I feel like until July, our defense was pretty much kevlar. But now it seems like our defense is a sieve. The three back there are the best we have, and they're all solid defenders. Is the midfield letting too much in? I just can't figure out, but it's making me nuts.
Tonight it seemed like our wing play was suspect. I know Sarachan has said he thinks that's our most vulnerable area and he likes to exploit our wings, which he did in this match.

[jade1mls]

Am i the only one who thinks that the 2nd Chicago goal would have been saved by Perkins?

Am i the only uncomfortable with the thought of Rimando in goal during the playoffs?

[s0ccerm0m]

I thought both Jaime and Esky were pretty much invisible. Except for the times they lost/gave away the ball.

[s0ccerm0m]

Am i the only one who thinks that the 2nd Chicago goal would have been saved by Perkins?

Am i the only uncomfortable with the thought of Rimando in goal during the playoffs?
Except that I'm thinking he should be in goal if we get into a shootout. He is very good vs. PKs.

[s0ccerm0m]

I missed the first half because I went to the movies but I was screaming at Erpen in the second half. He can't get any worse, can he?
IMO, he had a better first half than second half. He started cramping up in the second half. And he didn't get a red card in this match, so that's an improvement.

[jade1mls]

Except that I'm thinking he should be in goal if we get into a shootout. He is very good vs. PKs.

I agree with that but I think Perkins is an over all better goal keeper..

Rimando doesnt read the play as well as Perkins and he reacts like a half second too late in my opinion.

[OKTerrific]

I'm worried. I'm freaking out, actually.

Next saturday begins the real quest for that fifth star. The ride up to Giants Stadium will be quite nervewracking.

I think this is so worrisome because of the start we got off to this season. I've never seen a team just do a complete 180 like this.

It's gonna be a long week of anticipation.

Come on, Red and Black, FIND IT.

[Bill-DC]

IMO, he had a better first half than second half. He started cramping up in the second half. And he didn't get a red card in this match, so that's an improvement.

Thanks.

The Departed is a great movie by the way. I'm confident Pitor and the crew will depart from the Swamp with a victory next week.

[Knave]

Threads merged. Please watch the spoilers folks. Thanks.

[tallguy]

Man, it's now official. For the second year in a row, we've gone cold just in time for the playoffs. Dabnabit, Chicago sure can exploit us on defense from the wings. Great cross for the Fire second goal. Dang, we sure looked flatfooted out there on defense.

[DCUSA]

So that's what a good cross looks like!
Freddy let his man run right by him on the PK chance and failed to close down the crosser on the Jaqua goal. He has to realize this.
Donnet and Dyachenko were poor.
Offensively, the chances are there. Gros misses a sitter and Olsen hits the crossbar. Defensively, too much ball watching and Chicago is really good at getting their mids in for crosses, and DC is good at letting them go.
Thank goodness they don't play Chicago in the first round.

[garbaggio]

Perkins is our starting goalie but sat out today because of strep throat. I wouldn't blame Rimando for any of the goals we conceded (and he did save a PK), but it's hard for a viewer or fan in a loud part of the stadium to understand how much verbal organizing the keeper does.

This was a tune-up game and the fact was reinforced by Nowak's decision to sub out 2-goal Cristian Gomez for a d-mid with less than 10 minutes left. While we trailed by a goal.

Nice shooting from Christian and nice passes from Freddy to set him up. Gomez really wanted to score goals tonight. On those 2 freekicks that forced good saves from Pickens, Gomito might have been better advised to cross the ball to someone but it's still good to see his audacity in trying a difficult shot.

Rolfe got away with fouling Namoff (as the cross went overhead to Segares) on the first goal. The 2nd Chicago goal was inexcusable as 3 DC defenders (Carroll, Erpen and someone else) were completely flatfooted spectators as Jaqua ran onto the cross. The last Chicago goal was an excellent passing sequence and they should be credited with a nice team effort.

We were pretty awful in the first 25 minutes (2 goals and a PK conceded) but were then the better team for most of the rest of the game.

Glad the regular season is over so we have to play games with a sense of urgency.

[GUTuna]

4-4-2

I have no confidence in our ability to defend with three right now. We're not organized enough and play far to aggressively out of the back. Erpen has become downright scary with the chances he takes.

As sad as it is to say about this talented team, we'll probably have to win ugly if we're going to succeed in the playoffs this year.