https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-l...-still-rule-roost-unionminnesotaatlanta-climb "The Fire deserve more words this week because A) they scored a goal and B) they won a game."
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019...hia-union-dc-united-going-opposite-directions Up to 21 here too. We can make a surprise push for the playoffs.
We only have to average 2.22 points per game for the last 9 games (6-0-2), so basically do what LAFC has done this season (record breaking season).
The Fire play every team between them and the playoffs during the rest of the season. It's ridiculous that they a (very small but) legitimate chance of making it after playing so bad for so long..
https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-l...-vanquish-another-challengerphilly-up-to-no-2 Up to #16. That will change by next week.
The ESPN ranking have BIG jumps up and down, so with games against @ Portland and vs. Philadelphia we could be back in the 20's after the Philadelphia game.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/08/13/power-rankings-atlanta-united-edging-closer-top Up to #19 because of a mentality boost.
538.com says that MLS Cup is a "four team" race. SHOCKINGLY, the Fire are NOT among the four teams. (although there is only one team, LAFC, with a greater than 13% chance of winning MLS Cup). https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019...many-can-qualify-playoffs-few-can-win-mls-cup https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/soccer-predictions/mls/ ...although, the Fire are given a 22% chance of making the playoffs. If the Fire make the playoffs, who knows what can happen?!?* "As far as which conference is more open in those final three spots? It's definitely the East. In order, D.C. United (79 percent chance of playoff qualification), the Montreal Impact (63 percent), Toronto FC (54 percent), the New England Revolution (50 percent), Orlando City (40 percent), and the Chicago Fire (22 percent) are the six teams most likely to be battling for those last three positions." *of course, we all know, since the Fire have made the playoffs play-in game twice in the past 9 years...and lost both times. Thanks, Andrew Hauptman for hiring such crappy coaches and front office personnel.
Except in the standings the Fire are still 10th in the East, with 33 points. Just two points out of a playoff spot, with three teams tied at 34 points. Too bad the Fire have played more games than any other team in the East (in all of MLS, actually), so our ppg is much worse than teams immediately ahead of us. The Fire do have the third most home wins in the East (only Atlanta and Philadelphia have more). We have 27 out of a possible 45 points at home. [By they way, LAFC have an incredible 31 out of a possible 33 points at home. The ONLY team to which LAFC dropped points at home in MLS this year, your Chicago Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiire! a stupendously dramatic May 4, 2019 0-0 draw, where the Fire managed 1 shot on goal] Too bad the Fire only have two home games left, both weekend afternoon games. Of course, the Fire have the worst road record in the league, with 6 out of a possible 39 points on the road. The recap from our glorious taking a point from LAFC: https://www.lafc.com/post/2019/05/05/5-takeaways-lafc-cant-figure-out-fire-0-0-draw https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2...ws-los-angeles-fc-0-0-banc-california-stadium
Oh, don't get me wrong. I don't think we have a chance in hell. 4 out of our last 6 games are on the road, so even IF we win our two home games we will probably need to get 7 points out of those 4 games (2-1-1). But if we do somehow sneak into the playoffs (7th seed) it would only take 4 away wins to win the CUP.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/08/20/power-rankings-lafc-leave-competition-dust Up to #18. We were coasting along most of the season? I would think we were falling on our face most of the season.
Totally "coasting" this season! Coasting like submarines "coast" just off of the bottom of the sea floor under the tutelage of "Lieutenant" Vejlko Paunovic (not "Commander" as that title is reserved for "fast attack" submarines, and that is most definitely NOT Paunovic's forte). https://www.military.com/navy/officer-ranks.html
https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-l...afcatlanta-remain-top-dogs-after-rivalry-week Dropped to #17.......they called us the Embers.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/08/27/power-rankings-nycfc-make-case-eastern-conferences-best Down to #19. If we don't win the season will be a "big, big, big disappointment"......haven't we been a big, big, big disappointment for some time now?
https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-l...ew-top-three-behind-lafc-nyrb-take-big-tumble Down to #19. Apparently we aren't winning because we have a tough time putting the ball in the net.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/09/03/power-rankings-have-seattle-sounders-turned-corner Down to #20. Apparently we may make the playoffs if we have some consistency. Well the only thing that is consistent is making weird roster moves. We sent 50K in 2020 GAM and a draft pick to Minnesota for 50K in 2019 GAM. Maybe dear leader can't make the wage bill?