The Fire (barely) survived a brutal May and the games keep coming fast and furious (one of the worst movie franchises, just below the Marvel abominations and the snoozefest that is Lords of the Ring). Tonight's game is a "free" game on Apple TV+, apparently. June starts with a difficult game. For some reasons that defy logic, F_C_ Cincinnati have far and away the best record in the league. 34 points (to the Fire's 16) and 2.4 ppg, but they are only number 2 in the "Power Ranking" (the Fire are a spectacular 22nd). They are 11-3-1 (WTL) on the season, and a perfect 8-0-0 at home. This is the best opening 15 games stretch of any team in MLS history, tying the LAG from 1998 (and we ALL know what happened in 1998). Their scoring has not been terrific, 25 goals in 15 games, but they are averaging a terrific 1 gaa. This is a tough game for the Fire at any time and, especially, now. With a weakened team and the US Open Cup match on Tuesday in Bridgeview, I fully expect the Fire to try their damnedest, but we'll see what effort they put into tonight's match. The Fire is one of only two teams this season to take ANY points from Cincinnati, with the 3-3 draw (familiar score line, no?) at Soldier Field on March 18th (in the coldest MLS game ever). Also, in Cincinnati, the Fire are 2-2-0. One good stat for the Fire is that Cincinnati only average 3 corners a game, so maybe we only give up two "something stupid" corner kick goals tonight! The only player out for Cincinnati (do they even have a nickname?!?*) is Sergio Santos. The Fire, on the other hand, have a long injury list with Teran and Mueller, plus a few others. Cincinnati are led by teeny, tiny Luciano Acosta, with 6 goals and 3 assists. Acosta, Nigerian DM Obinna Nwobodo and Brazil forward Brenner (who scored 18 goals last season) are their DPs. Brenner is a "young DP." Imagine having a young DP who actually score goals?!? They actually sold Brenner to Udinese for $10 million in April. He is required to stay in Ohio until July 1st, so I guess there was some sort of punishment clause in the transfer. Tonight? The Fire take advantage of a rare Cincinnati misstep and squeak out a 1-0 victory. Or, the Fire lose 4-0. Or, the Fire grind out a draw. WTF do I know? *Now, I have a completely irrational reason to despise FC Cincinnati, other than the fact that they are in the armpit of the Midwest Ohio. The "official" nickname for FC Cincinnati is the incredibly, mind numbingly stupid- "The Orange and Blue" and the other nickname is "The Garys," whatever the f*ck that means. Here is reason for "The Garys" nickname: If you are not familiar with the reason, it may very well be the Single Stupidest reason for anything ever in the entire history of our favorite sport. Read at your own risk. You may not recover from the stupidity in time for the match tonight. You have been warned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "Gary's name stemmed from fans' viral social media posts when the club released its MLS logo in November (2018). Eagle-eyed supporters envisioned the name spelled out in lion's design on the club's crest." https://www.fccincinnati.com/news/club-introduces-new-mascot-gary#:~:text=Gary's name stemmed from fans,design on the club's crest.
All I can think of when I hear the name "Gary" Also, I like the Bengals. Sad Bois FC is the official soccer podcast of the Cincinnati Bengals. I bonded with Chris Brady over watching Joe Burrow in the AFC championship this year.
I hope Chris Brady's brain does hurt anymore. That should be "brain does NOT hurt anymore." Since people have voted, I cannot edit. Apologies.
FCC makes me think of the The Feds- nobody likes the FCC, just like nobody likes Cincinnati. I mean, I don’t think we stand a chance, but at least we don’t live in a place that might as well be in Kentucky, but somehow, even worse, exists in Ohio. Something stupid would be Shaq getting a PK hat trick in the first half, only for Frank to sub him off at halftime for Herbers and us to lose 3-3.
Anxious to see who Klopas starts tonight… Option A) play to win with best XI, and if losing at half pull all the key players for Tuesday Option B) play to win or draw with some rotation to give a few key players rest for Tuesday Option C) play for Tuesday, big rotation
Let's steal a point and keep the top lads fresh for Tuesday. We can get revenge on FCC in the USOC Semis or Final
Oddly the lineup doesn’t completely scare me considering it’s a second string team. The CBs are scary but the midfield looks OK.
Heavily rotated starting lineup. Brady & M. Navarro stay in Chicago. Spencer Richey (GK & C), Arnaud Souquet, Alonso Aceves, Wyatt Omsberg, Kendall Burks, Federico Navarro, Fabian Herbers, Brian Gutiérrez, Jairo Torres, Kacper Przybylko & Georgios Koutsias Bench: Jeff Gal (GK), Rafael Czichos, Charlie Ostrem, Xherdan Shaqiri, Gastón Giménez, Javier Casas, Maren Haile-Selassie, Missael Rodríguez & Kei Kamara
Here it is in all of its glory! Interesting to say the least. Not bad, but maybe not good either. If Kacper scores, that is a good thing. If the Fire draw, that is a good thing.
Curious about the Kacper Koutsias Gutierrez Torres attacking four Could be interesting. I like the bench.
Yup, and it’s a good fit! ……Guti-Kacper-Georgios Aceves-Torres-Fede-Herbers …Burks-Omsberg-Souquet on d it’s 5-2-3 ……...…Guti—-Kacper—-Georgios …………Torres———Fede Aceves-Burks-Omsberg-Souquet-Herbers
I’m not sure if the Fire are playing well defensively or if Bad Chili FC is not good offensively. I’m leaning toward the former.
I was wondering why the Fire were playing so slowly, then I figured out that the stream froze. Now, it's back and it has not made much difference.
28:40 Guti hacked, ‘but they got some ball first’, so no foul. SO tired of ‘but got ball first’…that’s not the rule!