CHI travels to Columbus on Wednesday before returning home to host the Revs. They are 2 pts behind DCU for the final playoff spot. Kei Kamara hasn't scored since June 21st (Leagues Cup not included) but needs one more goal to tie Landon Donovan for 2nd on the all-time list at 145. What are the odds he gets it against the Revs? MATCHDAY GUIDE | Revs at Chicago Fire FC (September 23, 2023) Jeff Lemieux posted: Monday, Sep 18, 2023, 03:49 PM
Not that I'm paying too much attention to the bottom of the playoff bracket, but I may be one of the few that hopes to see Montreal, Nashville, DC or Chicago pick up a few points here and there (but not against us!) to keep Miami out. I'm pretty sick of this Messi-mania, and it's worse than the hype of Beckham from several years ago. I thought we were at the point where fans would go out to see their own team hopefully win instead of gawking at some superstar from another team, but I guess not.
The loss to ATL was a huge blow. MIA can still make it, but their magic number is 26, and they can only earn 21 pts in the final 7 games, so they need help.
Yeah, they pretty much have to run the table to make it. A lot of their remaining opponents are ones they can reasonably expect to get points, but they still play Cincinnati and some of the other teams are also fighting for their playoff lives. Anyway, we are the team that will be in serious trouble if we don't come home from Chicago with 3 points. Put aside the chaos of last week and get focused!
They are guaranteed to get help, because of their contenders playing each other. They can't drop more than 1 or 2 more, but I woudn't bet against them. When all is said and done, I'm guessing they make it in.
I think we really need to do something to wake up our offense. Getting Bou back could do it, but I don't think he'll play a lot in this one, even if he is available. Maybe move Chancalay up top instead of Vrioni and putting Buck back in the starting lineup (or the forgotten man, Boateng!). I certainly see Polster returning - hopefully to dmid - and giving Harkes a chance to come off the bench. I'd like to see Jones play like DuJuan Jones of the USNT, not a spectator like in Chicago. And, I'm hoping the Vaclik impresses in practice and gets the call.
The Crew blew a 3-1 lead with 20 minutes to go vs Orlando on Saturday. Will they take it out on Chicago tonight?
They did indeed, beating Chicago 3-0. With tonight's results, Revs fall to 5th in the East (and out of the home field spots). Current 1-4 are Cincy (59 points), Orlando (50), Columbus (48) and Philly (48), all of whom have qualified for the playoffs. Revs also have 48 points but do have a game in hand on all but Philly. Also with Cincy's tie, they now need to go 5-0 to beat the MLS point record currently held by the Revs. Any single loss, and the Revs hold it for another season.
With 6 games left, 3 home/3 away, this looks like a pretty critical game if we want to hold onto chances at a top-tier playoff spot (especially with a tough road game at a rising Orlando side still on the docket).
According to yesterday's availability report, Bou is questionable and Vaclik is out (waiting arrival), though I expect Vaclik's status will be updated since we've seen video evidence that he is indeed here.
Shaqiri got a red card (2 yellows) last night, so the Revs won't have to contend with him on Saturday.
Hopefully we'll also see Boateng come on as a sub. I'd also like to see someone else start up top (Chancalay or Wood), though I'm not sure what it's like to start Vaclik within days of being with the team, I'm not sure Earl really did anything to lose his spot, when's the last competitive game he's played?
Peay said he won't start Vaclik yet but that he's "in the plans." When it comes to having quality goalkeeping there's no time like the present.
“Hopefully I will be an important part of the team” | Vaclík relishing Revs challenge with MLS on the rise Caroline Oatway Thursday, Sep 21, 2023, 04:01 PM revolutionsoccer.net Clint Peay: Peay also said Bou is still 10-14 days away from playing.
I have a bad feeling about this game. Too much pressure on them to win it and without Bou the offense is still too anemic. I think we’ll be lucky to get a point out if it.
My prediction is 2-1 Chicago similar to last week in Colorado. Revs sluggish, maybe they tie it then give up a late winner as is their MO. Or they score a late goal but can't find an equalizer. If revs give up more than 1 goal I'm convinced this game will be a L. Chicago has always been tough even with healthy teams let alone injury hit AND in a bad run of form. The offense is pathetic right now sans Bou. Vrioni is streaky but has been invisible lately. Boateng inexplicably has been ignored. Don't see the revs scoring more than 1 goal as currently constructed. 1 win in the last 5 and just 5 goals scored. I'm hoping I'm wrong and you guys have a field day quoting me after a resounding rev victory.
There's no reason to go into this weekend feeling positive about our chances to get a result. We just have to hope the guys on the field can subvert our expectations of doom and find a way to get all three points.
The Messi-mania is greater. For better reason. Beckham was washed up when he came to MLS. Messi is still a great player.
Not a great result or an overly inspiring performance...but at least I didn't feel totally nauseous at the final whistle, so that's a step up from the last few games... I'm not sure what to think about our tactical setup, with what looked like a back 3, but with Polster trying to cover the LB spot (especially in the first half) on defense. It worked, and failed to work, in predictable ways. We were super exposed in the wide areas, especially in the first 70 minutes - but clogging up the middle did keep us from getting overrun, and Chancalay sure seemed to enjoy all the space he had out there on the left. And given the Colorado performance, I guess it made sense to change something up. That said, I hope Peay keeps things simpler next week at home. As far as player performances go, it was a great game from Chancalay. He's clearly a talented player, and his passion is great to see. That move to spin away from the defender before the goal was special. I also thought Jones had a great bounce-back game. In the back 3, we really got to see that he's not only a great attacking fullback, but he's also grown into a savvy and talented defender. The mix of instincts and quickness is impressive. All that said, this isn't a team that currently looks likely to go too far in the playoffs. But there's still time to get hot. There were games earlier in the season where things really seemed to click. I'd really love to see that happen again in the next few weeks to give us some hope for a playoff run.
Positive - we looked dangerous on attack, had plenty of chances to score. Chancalay continues to look like a difference maker on the attacking end. Negative - We continue to give away balls in dangerous parts of the field and every time Chicago came at us with speed and numbers I was terrified we were going to get scored on. Our team defense is awful in those situations. Given the run of recent results and how tight the standings are, one point isn't what we needed. But I also think this is the first time in almost a month that they can come off the field at the end of a match feeling OK about themselves mentally between the result and clinching the playoffs. Hopefully Bou and Kessler aren't that far away from some level of game fitness, and I would expect to see Vaclik ready to go to (EEJ has been mainly positive, but he's still just a backup who doesn't have Vaclik's pedigree).