It's less that they played down to them, more like they've got that disease that the Fire got earlier in the season. Just couldn't quite get their shots on frame. Balls were played just a bit too far ahead for some of them, other times it just wasn't a clean enough angle. Kailen Sheridan was an absolute monster in goal, which is exactly what I was worried about going into this game with the way the Red Stars looked on Saturday. That's the story of the game, just Sheridan absolutely handling the Red Stars attack. Needed to do better than that going forward.
Gaitan Dax and Basti didn’t even travel, a win here would be Paunos greatest accomplishment ever. Or his first I guess
How many times will Danhole mention that the Fire are "unbeaten in three games"? I put the over/under at 8.
So he pretty much gave up before the game is even played, we need EVERY possible point. Yes I know we probably didn't stand a chance of getting a point, but without those three, there ZERO chance of getting any points. We went into LAFC and got a point and something stupid could happen. I wonder if our dumbass coach gets Frankowkski, Katai, Niko, Sapong and Milhailovic in the starting 11.
Chicago Fire According to the official line-up, Mihailovic is starting at defensive midfield Ousted Bornstein Marcelo Lillard Kappelhof Mihailovic Bronico Azira Katai Frankowski Nikolic Strange line-up, but anytime Nikolic, Katai, Frankowski and Mihailovic are on the field, the Fire can score (without something stupid happening). No Sapong, but the rest are scheduled to start.
I don't mind resting the old guys to prep for Saturday. The odds of us winning this one are so low and even ties probably won't help. We need 15 points from the last 8 games. 5 wins is the only chance the Fire have. 4 wins 3 ties and 1 loss with 5 games on the road ain't happening. Saturday's game and the remaining games against Eastern conference teams are the "must wins". This one is probably one of the 3 losses. A "something stupid happens" win would be great, though.
Patrick Doody is the second announcer? What the hell is with his voice? The best ex-Fire player as a Fire announcer? (I am not including Hristo, Diego and others who have announced for other teams). Evan Whitfield. Good announcer. Super nice guy. Not a very good soccer player.
So, "Something stupid will happen" wins...again. Stupid defending (Lillard does not track back and Bornstein is slow), but of a mess up by Ousted and an 18 yard chip goal. More wood to be needlessly wasted in Portland.
Whoever is watching the game. What's the formation? What positions are the players in? It's changed 4 times in the last 10 minutes on mlssoccer.net