On Fire In this issue: Sarachan Math: 1=3, Beasley Belongs in Midfield, Our Thoughts and Prayers are with Rodrigo, Razov’s Debut, Armas and Sarachan Assess Status, “They’ll Sleep Well Tonight” By: Ivaldo Basso Sarachan Math; When 1=3 May 16 Chicago (CSA) – Saturday’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes was the Fire’s fourth straight match starting with only one true forward. As such, it seemingly was going to take another act of God – analogous to an Orlando Perez bomb (he has one goal in over 65 MLS matches), or a Damani Ralph netter – for the Fire to score a goal. With Ante Razov unavailable for the Fire’s first three matches due to suspension and only a bevy of young forwards left for Sarachan to choose, having only one front-runner - Rodrigo Faria - was understandable. When the Fire lined up on Saturday with only one forward – Razov – despite having both he and Faria available, many scratched their heads. It was difficult to understand the alignment, especially as Earthquake defenders ganged up on Razov, much like the Revolution, D.C. United and Wizards did to Faria through the Fire’s first three matches. Camping out near the post-game press conference podium last Saturday, I couldn’t wait to ask Dave Sarachan about the decision to play with only one forward. Before I could blurt out the question however, Sarachan responded to another, “…We’ve used almost three forwards [through our first four matches]…” Not being a former U.S. National Team top assistant coach or a still undefeated MLS boss, I withdrew my question. But I remain steadfast in thinking that DaMarcus Beasley, Andy Williams and [insert Ante Razov or Rodrigo Faria here] do not constitute playing with three forwards. I would argue that there aren’t even two forwards in that lot. Their performance proves it. Along with scoring only four goals in four games, the “three forwards” have managed only one goal from inside the eighteen. The clinical long-rage finishing against Kansas City three weeks ago and the sharp shooting from outside against San Jose (Pat Onstad was named MLS Player of the Week for a reason) was nice, but the Fire can’t win by only shooting bombs. And they won’t win by relying on Orlando Perez (one goal in over 65 MLS matches), Andy Williams or Damani Ralph to register goals. “Sometimes Andy [Williams] is up high and pressing and sometimes he drops in. With Andy we feel it gives us a good balance of him dropping in and helping us as a central midfielder as well as going as an out and out forward,” said Sarachan. It sounds nice in theory, but it doesn’t replace having an extra goal scorer on the field. Sarachan realizes this. His team selection on Saturday had everything to do with Faria’s personal situation (which Sarachan didn’t mention, but Faria shared with me after the match, see below) despite the technical babble he showered reporters with (he was simply protecting Faria’s privacy). Beasley Belongs in Midfield Despite playing admirably, Beasley is more effective when making the left side of midfield his personal runway. His heart is there to. “The left side of midfield is good for me, that’s where I get my money. I’m usually against one player there and I usually can beat him so that’s fun for me. Hopefully I can get out there,” said Beasley. Beasley acknowledges that he may not be playing there soon. “Orlando is playing well right now, so I can’t see him getting pulled out of the left mid spot. Maybe I can stay at forward and we’ll play with three forwards, but I don’t know how it’s going to be. Dave is the coach and he’ll make those decisions,” said Beasley. Sarachan likes Beasley at forward, but admits that he needs to improve there. “We want DaMarcus to be aggressive in the final third and I think he’s enjoying the role and I think he understands,” said Sarachan. “As good as DaMarcus is I think he needs to be a little bit better in that part of the field at least mentally. He’s starting to tune into that aspect and his goals will come,” added Sarachan. Long Range Shooting The Fire’s long range shooting has benefits, in addition to the goals that have been scored. The Fire’s scouting report will make defenders feel like they have to step up to challenge shots, which should in turn open up space behind the defense. That advantage might only be realized on the road however. The narrow confines of Cardinal Stadium helps defenders not have to make as many choices. San Jose showed Saturday that parking enough men at the back clogs all routes to goal in Naperville. When asked if the long range shots are a reflection of the coach, Sarachan responded, “Over my career I didn’t hit that many from outside.” “It’s just an overall mentality of being aggressive within 25 yards. I think we have players on our team that do hit the ball well from distance. It clearly showed against Kansas City so that kind of fuels it a little bit more. We just encourage guys to take their chances when they get them, especially in Naperville,” said Sarachan. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with Rodrigo Sarachan’s decision to not start Faria on Saturday appeared to be more for personal rather than tactical reasons, and there is every indication that when fit, Razov and Faria will start together every match. Faria spent most of the Fire’s off-week (i.e., last week) in Brazil tending to his ill father and the long waited partnership with Razov didn’t materialize until late in the match last Saturday. “When I was in Brazil last week I came [back to Chicago] late [in the week] because my father is sick. I have a really hard situation. My father has cancer, he’s not in very good shape, and my mind was not completely there,” said Faria. “I’m not 100% fit, but I’m catching back up day by day, and I’m really trying to focus on the soccer, but it’s been tough in Brazil right now with my situation. [My dad is] happy that I’m here and I’m going to try to do my best to help my teammates and to help us win the championship this year,” added Faria. “He gave us great energy when he came in,” said Sarachan on Saturday after Faria almost scored on a first touch, 20 yard-yard volley, upon entering the match in the 85th minute. Razov’s Debut Last Saturday’s match was Razov’s first after serving his three game punishment for stomping on Jay Heaps in last season’s playoffs against New England. “I thought for his first game it wasn’t too bad,” said Sarachan. “I thought Ante got some shots off and that was encouraging. The timing of his checking and showing could have been better, but that’s a combination of the rest of the players working with Ante. He may have tired a little bit, but I think he gets some pluses today,” added Sarachan. “Personally from my standpoint I think I was O.K.,” said Razov. “I was a little bit rusty out there and my touch wasn’t the best. Obviously, my overall fitness is not up to game sharpness.” The Fire’s all time leading goal scorer continues to look forward to being paired with Faria for significant minutes. “It’s a combination we’re both looking forward to, we need to get both of ourselves into 100% shape both mentally and physically,” said Razov. Armas and Sarachan Assess Status The draw against San Jose last Saturday kept the Fire undefeated and captain Armas was asked if he was surprised. “I’m not surprised at all. We’re good enough to have at least one more win instead of these ties. [Against San Jose] I thought we had the better of play. I thought San Jose battled hard on the road as they always do but I’m not surprised in the least bit. We’ve set our goals high and we’re playing every game to win. There’s no team out there we can’t beat especially at home,” said Armas. Was he disappointed with all of the draws so far? “We’re not disappointed, we’re undefeated. You want to win, especially at home. I wouldn’t use disappointed because that sounds negative and there’s not negativity in this locker room,” said Armas. After the San Jose game, Sarachan was asked what one thing he thought was good so far this season and what one thing needed improvement. “In the back third we’re getting very high grades so far. We could pick a few instances where we could have been better, but behind the ball the work ethic and the committement to get numbers around the ball has been good. Zach has been sharp,” said Sarachan. “I think we need to be a little more patient at times in terms of possession. Sometimes we’re a little too quick to play forward, we have to pick our spots better and manage the game better from that regard. In each game the attack has gotten better and in each game the shot ratio has gotten better. Overall working together and moving together could be better but I think we’re making progress,” said Sarachan. “They’ll Sleep Well Tonight” Four players in last Saturday night’s match - Landon Donavan, Carlos Bocanegra, Chris Armas and Beasley - played in the U.S. National Team’s 0-0 draw with Mexico on Thursday at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. Landon Donovan was subbed before Saturday’s overtime, but the Fire’s National Team trio played the full 100 minutes. “If [playing tonight] was going to be an issue I wasn’t going to be out there so the fact that I was out there meant I was fine,” said Armas. “We talked to each of them before the game and at halftime,” said Sarachan. “We kept a close eye on them. The beauty of those three guys is that they are such good competitors. They’ll tell us if they want to come out.” “They’ll sleep well in the next few days,” added Sarachan. Ivaldo Basso can be reached at ibasso@cybersoccernews.com. © Basso/Cyber Soccer Associates, LLC 2003