The Fire have never gone three seasons without winning something. We're sitting on two right now. So out of MLS Cup, Open Cup, Superliga, and Supporters' Shield, how many will the Fire win in 2009?
Unfortunately I had to vote zero. Hope I'm wrong. I just don't think they have added that needed offensive player to the mix. Unless Dennis gets smart and starts nyarko and pappa and those guys can stay healthy and produce what the fans believe they can, it looks like the fire will fall short again.
You don't think Blanco, McBride, Rolfe, Thor, and Mapp are enough offensively to win a single trophy?
Not to pee on your parade, but they weren't last year (and yes, I know that McB was only here half a season, but we were still in contention for two when he got here, and he and Blanco somehow didn't get any younger in the offseason) That being said, I think we win 2 this year, one of which will be the open cup. You heard it here first.
It happens all the time in sports where a team remains constant to win it all. We were quite close last year in all three competitions. With a few different bounces of the ball, we very easily could have won at least one. This year we'll have our entire starting line around all preseason and season to build chemistry. Nyarko and Pappa will both be here all season this time, so they can try for a starting position, or if nothing else push the starters to keep their jobs. In addition, Sega looks to be the only player that we'll lose consistently for WCQ. When you're as close as we were last year, the little things like this is what makes the difference. So the fact that we didn't last year doesn't have that much affect on whether we will this year.
Looks like Baky too (http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagot...009/02/guest-blogger-bakary-soumare.html#more) Anyways, I'm gonna say one trophy. Obviously I'd love it if we could win more than one, and I think we'll challenge on multiple fronts, but I don't want to get too far ahead of myself yet. We certainly have the talent to win at least one trophy- we'll see how the luck plays out. Wow, I think this is actually my first post here since the conference final loss... guess that goes to show how depressed I was haha. Onwards to the 2009 season!
I feel you brother, it's my first time back too. It's a little emotional. In response to the sagacious SixKick, I agree that the team last year was good enough to win, and this year's should be even better. However, we did it on the strength of our defense, not our offense. IF we could add something to the aforementioned Fab Five, (and it could be Pappa or Nyarko, I just don't know yet) that would be awesome. That aside, I wouldn't trade our roster for any other in MLS, and anyone of you who would can %@%$^ $@^5 to %^@$% with a goat and !#$% ^%$% @%^$ peanut butter and 2#$% sandwich.
It all depends on how good or bad of a job Hamlett does. If he goes with his 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 then we won't win a thing, but if he goes with 4-4-2 (with forwards that actually play up top) or a 4-3-3 with Blanco playing forward as well as midfield then we could win 2 to 3 trophies. It's all on Hamlett!!!!
Our 2 $$$ players are aging fast to say the least... We had a better chance last year to win a trophy. I'm hopeful that with stronger team cohesion we may have a chance. I really don’t count 2009 being the year though. We do have an above average defense, a versatile midfield, a brilliant keeper, and mcbride – he’s always be double teamed so that does help those who make the run up top. Is there a chance? Yes, I voted 1 – and think I may be having some wishful thinking.
I think McBride will benefit greatly from a real off-season and the two of them having more time together will help a lot. Most importantly, our young players are aging fast as well. Seriously, I think players like Rolfe, Pause, Baky are coming into their prime. I also thin that Papa will become a big part of our midfield. In all, I think the parts were all coming together last year but needed just a little more time together. Health willing, I think this team can be better than the Crew last year. Honestly, we were right there with them and I think we win the cup last year if we get past them in that game. Home field played a big role. If we get home field I think we win at least two this year.
Whoa, whoa! Slow down . . . Brimstone Cup??? We'd have to beat Dallas to win that and we haven't done that in what, 3 years?
I don't think Hamlett and a 4-5-1 are good enough to win 1,no. I thik we have the basic ingredients to smoke every damned team in this league, but we need a good chef. If it is a different DH than the one I saw starting June of last year, a Chef Denis who intelligently uses what has been given him, this can be a legendary team, one that equals, if not surpasses '98. It is all on Denis.
Maybe not. I guess he has been using multiple forwards in our scrimmages. Hope for the best, ya know. I still think we have the best roster in the league.
I'm giving Denis a clean slate this year because he has a full off season to build the team. If he ********s it up this year with our roster then I'll be really disappointed.
you've got quite a vocabulary, I'm still struggling to determine what curse has that many consonants maybe I'm just preoccupied by the prevalent ****s it up
As much as I expect the roster to be able to carry us all the way to the MLS Cup, I'm really pulling for the U.S. Open Cup. It's birth in the CCL, a tourney the Fire can really shine in. Sure, we don't have Blanco for the USOC, but I'd say the roster is deep enough to be great without him for a game or two.
I also forgot to mention that it'd be nice to officially the best team in USOC history. Right now we're the best team of the "modern" era, but to win 5 USOCs in 11 years? That's dominance.
If Dennis plays one forward and bunkers the only trophy we will win is the Copatacticsthatalwaysfailsostopusingthem Cup.