The Fire hit the road after the spectacular home "stand" (6 out of 8 matches at Soldier Field since the first of April) that resulted in an amazing FOUR POINTS, out of 18 at home (FIVE out of 24, overall), with 10 goals against from six home games, with four goals scored. 3 of those 4 points (and 2 of the 4 goals) coming in the first game of April against Houston. The Fire now head to the national's capital for a match up of two formerly great teams that have not done much later. Neither team has made the playoffs in years, and neither team has made it out of the first round in the better part of a decade. Neither team is in the US Open this season, nor has any done crap in the US Open Cup in years, despite having won 7 between them. Overall, the Fire have 28 wins, 22 draws and a mere 27 losses. The Fire have not beaten DC since 2022, losing 4-0 in September and scoreless draw last April. Currently, DC are 9th in the East with 17 points, 1.21 ppg The Fire are 14th (out of 15) with 10 points, .71 ppg. The Fire have scored a pathetic 13 goals (second lowest in the East), while giving up 26 (most in the East. We're Number 1!) DC United are led by long time Premiership wash out, Belgian Christian Benteke, who leads the team with 11 goals. The second leading scorer has 1 goal. Essentially, stop Benteke, stop DC United. So, what does that mean for the Fire? A bunch of Benteke goals, probably. Meanwhile, three DC United players have 5+ assists already, with Polish international Mateusz Klich pitching in with 6 already. The third DP is Finnish midfielder Matti Peltola. The Fire are led by, well, nobody at all. Cuypers and Gutierrez have 3 goals, Shaqiri and the GREAT Herbers have 2 apiece. Shaqiri, MHS and Herbers have 2 assists each. Gutierrez has managed to pitch in a single assist. Cuypers actually averages 2 shots (almost 1 on target) per game. I was surprised to see that. The Fire have to win at least one game every two months, so I am calling for a powerful Fire win! 3-1 Fire, Cuypers, Shaqiri and Mr. Own Goal for the Fire.
This might be one of the top polls I have seen yet! I went OPTIMISTIC across the board because...why not? It just seems like a win HAS to come and would be probably the most stupid thing so I'm ready. I've got a random selection of West 6th Pennyrile Ale's, a couple Yazoo IPAs from Nashville and a few backer Red Stripes from Jamaica mon. Let's do this!
A month or so ago, I had my first Red Stripe in probably 25 years. I didn't miss not having one for a quarter of a century. That said, I promise that if, er, WHEN the Fire win, I will enjoy a Red Stripe later tonight.
Shaq is ‘Audi 5000’… Our Starting XI in the Nation’s Capital 🔥#cf97 | #DCvsCHI pic.twitter.com/TDu7SHQLsn— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) May 25, 2024 The CFFC app is indicating 4-4diamond-2 Can’t say Frank is rigid about formations…he’s still hunting for an arrangement that will click. Really like Pineda at stopper, he is comfortable in that role, plus he can easily flex up or back to give them other looks. Acosta on the wing… Fede in the wing… Will be interesting to see their actual assignments.
I'm glad that Barlow has done enough to warrant a start....WTF!!! I get it that Frank has take drastic measure, but WTH. Acosta has literally played like dog feces for the last several games, but he gets the armband? Everyone probably agrees that Rafa has lost a step, but what does he have to do get the armband after being the captain for the previous 2 seasons. Are we sure this is not a 5-3-2 to be extra defensive on the road?
Smells like the first step of the transition away from Shaqiri…odds are he doesn’t come back. Agree with you on Acosta’s play thus far, but there will be a focus on him moving forward and he is now the ‘most seasoned’ player. Rafa went to Frank in the offseason and asked for the captains band to go to someone else… Barlow must have out played Herbers and Koutsias in practice this week
It would be interesting if they went with a narrow diamond in the middle. I would imagine that Navarro would be the stopper, but I think Pineda suits that role better as he is better equipped to be on the ball to transition from the defense to the offense. My guess is that it is a flat 4-4-2 with Guti on the right and Acosta on the left or a 4-2-3-1 with Barlow in between Guti and Acosta and helping Cuypers press the defenders when DC has the ball. Edit: Has Shaqiri already left for the Swiss team or is he out of the 18 with Mueller on purpose?
Apple TV is saying 4-4-2 with MIGHTY Tom Barlow up top with Cuypers. THREE DM with Navarro, Acosta AND Pineda!!!!!!!!!! No Shaqiri at all. Woo Hoo! Edit: The generic play-by-play guy stated in the third minute or so that Pineda is playing a third center back. Yep, just confirmed.
The field is just crap. The play by play guy is terrible. He sounds like a bad version of AI (not that there is a good version of AI).
Pregame spiel was telling... ...here DC's most valuable player... ...and here's a Fire player with some great potential. Pete (sighs)
It's never a good thing when the best thing you can say about a player is "he's a high energy guy." Pete (sees a lot of effort and no results)
Can we just forfeit the season? Pete (is ready Insurmountable disadvantage. Pete (notes that Fede was the beaten man on both of those plays)
Well, that was not in the least bit unexpected. The Fire are losing 1-0. McEvey with the toe poke into the goal.
My dog just stepped on the remote control and turned off the match. She loves me and is looking out for my sanity.