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The team celebrates after it’s 2-1 victory over Columbus.
The Fire finally have their first 2 game winning streak of the 2012 MLS season, and here is how it happened:
First Half: 02’ Marco Pappa scores for the Fire off of an intercepted pass to take a 1-0 lead.
26’ Dominic Oduro scores on his second shot of the game to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.
36’ Columbus cuts the lead to 2-1 after Tony Tchani puts one past Sean Johnson.
First Half Stoppage Time: No Scoring
Second Half: No Scoring
Second Half Stoppage Time: No Scoring
The best part about last night’s victory is that they played the majority of the game with only 10 men on the field. Midway through the first half Fire Defender Gonzalo Segares was hit with a red card and automatically ejected. He already had a yellow card stemming from the Fire’s previous game with New York heading into Saturday’s contest. He was carded after making a sliding tackle in which it appeared that the cleats on his shoes may have ran into the shins of a Columbus player. As to how high his spikes actually were is debatable but the call was made none the less.
But despite that the Fire continued on with no problems. They were aggressive on both offense and defense. Their offense won the time of possession battle, they always found themselves inside of the Columbus goalie box, and they were constantly taking shots. On defense they kept the pressure on the Crew. More often than not they wouldn’t let Columbus advance past midfield. And if Columbus did make it’s way deep into Fire territory, they had to contend with the brick wall named Sean Johnson. The Fire Goalkeeper amassed 8 saves despite the one goal. He was named man of the match and because of his stellar play, the fans at Toyota Park won free gallons of milk.
Aside from the red card issued to Segares, the game did get chippy at times. Fire Defender Dan Gargan was issued a yellow card as were two Columbus players. There was also some pushing and shoving which had to be broken up by the officials. Not to mention the blown penalty calls in which Fire Forwards Dominic Oduro and Patrick Nyarko got roughed up inside of the goalie box while they had possession of the ball. This happened twice to Oduro, once to Nyarko, and Nyarko was also fouled numerous times and the calls were not made.
By FIFA rules, if an offensive player has possession of the ball in the goaltenders box and is fouled while attempting to take a shot, the result is a penalty kick for the offense. Those calls were not made so the Fire did not get those penalty kicks. In my opinion the Fire should have won this game 4-1 had the correct calls been made. But none the less things did get rough out there, but the Fire did not lose their cool. But as a result of the cards, Segares will be suspended for the Fire’s next game. Chances are Gargan could be suspended as well because he also had a yellow card carried over from the victory over New York.
He should have been ejected from the game {as per FIFA rules} because of the two yellow cards but he remained in the match. So chances are the Fire will be down two players when they make their way to Kansas City next week to take on the second place Sporting Kansas City. A team which the Fire defeated at Toyota Park in early May, so the Fire already have a leg up on KC. The Fire also pick up three points in the standings they now have 24 total on the year. Their record now stands at 7-5-3. Here is the box score from last night’s game: http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-06-23-chi-v-clb/stats
And I can’t leave without talking about the Chicago Rush. Just as I predicted, they would walk out of Kansas City with a victory. They demolished the Command last night by a final score of 59-41. Reggie Gray and Russ Michna lead the Rush offense once again with great performances. Reggie Gray also broke the team record for most receiving yards in Chicago Rush history. Etu Molden originally held the record. The Rush win their first road game since their road victory over Iowa back in March. Here is the box score from last night’s Rush game: http://www.arenafootball.com/game/chicago-rush-kansas-city-command-6-23-2012
And even better news the Spokane Shock pulled off a huge victory over the San Jose SaberCats last night as well. Both teams set a new record for most total points scored in an AFL game, a record originally set when the Rush lost to San Jose last month. Spokane beats the Cats 90-63, I couldn’t believe it myself when I read it but it’s true. Unfortunately Georgia was unable to upset Utah last night, but the SaberCats loss put’s the Rush in the #4 spot in the AFL playoff race. Here is the box score from last night’s San Jose/Spokane game: http://www.arenafootball.com/game/spokane-shock-san-jose-sabercats-6-23-2012
Next week the Rush return home to take on these same San Jose SaberCats. This gives the Rush another chance to distance themselves and secure a playoff spot.
Here are some post-game interviews from last night’s Fire game. It must be noted that although I tried, Dominic Oduro and Marco Pappa were not available to speak with the media after the game:
Post-Game press conference with Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas:
Post-Game press conference with Fire Goalie Sean Johnson:
Post-Game interview with Fire Midfielder Pavel Pardo:
Post-Game interview with Fire Forward Patrick Nyarko:
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The Fire are looking for a turn around of sorts after finishing the month of May with two straight losses and starting the month of June with a 1-1 record. The Fire won their last game against New York last week 3-1. Patrick Nyarko, Gonzalo Segares, and Chris Rolfe scored the Fire’s goals in that victory. The Fire began the month of June with a 2-0 loss in New England. It was the only the second time the Fire were shutout this season, although there have been times where goals have been difficult to come by. Tonight the Fire play host to the Columbus Crew, a team they lost to in Columbus back on May 26th.
The Fire are not only looking for payback but they are also looking to get back on track. They are still fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 6 wins, 5 losses, and 3 draws for 21 points. Columbus is two spots below them with a record of 5 wins, 4 losses, and 4 draws for 19 points. Despite going 1-3 in their last four games, the Fire have had some consistency in that span. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson has only given up 5 goals while making 12 saves. He has been a major core for this Fire team. The scoring seems to come randomly for this squad, sometimes they are only able to muster just one goal per game.
So if the Fire are going to get back into the win column tonight they will need some consistent play on the offensive side of the ball. Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
Also four Fire players come into tonight’s game with yellow cards:
#15 Forward Orr Barouch
#3 Defender Dan Gargan
#8 Forward Dominic Oduro
#13 Defender Gonzalo Segares
Should any of these players pick up a yellow card in tonight’s game, they will be automatically suspended for the next game and face possible ejection from tonight’s game. You can follow me during the game on Twitter: @GabeSalgado82 Or using the following hashtags: #Q101Sports #CHIvCLB #cf97
I will post a video right here on Q101.com at halftime, enjoy the game. Also, on Friday July 6th come out to the Buffalo Wild Wings in Bolingbrook and cheer me on as I participate in the 2012 Score Search contest: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012-score-search/
Fire Forward Dominic Oduro being embraced by his teammates after scoring the game winning goal.
After a very slow first half the Fire managed to kick it in gear by scoring two goals to finish the game. Here is how everything went down:
First Half: After a strong defensive game by both teams, Kansas City was the first team to break the ice. SKC Midfielder Bobby Convey slipped one right past the arms of Sean Johnson in the 31st minute to take a 1-0 lead.
Second Half: The second half started out cold for both teams. But at the 60th minute KC was called for penalty. As just as the 61st minute began, Fire Midfielder Sebastian Grazzini turns the penalty kick into the Fire’s first goal tying the game at 1. Right afterwards he was the victim of a dirty hit by Kansas City Midfielder Roger Espinoza who was immediately given a red card and removed from the game.
In the 81st minute Dominic Oduro comes through for the Fire with a goal off an assist from Patrick Nyarko with numerous Kansas City defenders in the box. But within the next few minutes afterwards Fire Midfielder Federico Puppo came close on 3 consecutive occasions to scoring a third goal for the Fire but was stopped.
Second Half Stoppage Time: No scoring but it didn’t matter the Fire hung on for the victory.
It was a very physical game as the officials dished out 4 yellow cards and 1 red card. Numerous fouls were also called throughout the night. But what stood out to me the most was two things: 1. The Fire seemed to be more efficient on offense 2. The Fire also stepped up their game on defense. Sean Johnson has been the cornerstone of this Fire defense over the last week. The young Goalie has only given up 2 goals and has 8 saves in the Fire’s last 3 games combined. In that stretch the Fire have gone 2-0-1. As for Kansas City, they have now lost 3 in a row and currently stand 7-3-0 on the season.
This losing streak comes after winning their first 7 games of the 2012 campaign. Beating the first place team in the Eastern Conference is a huge confidence booster for this Fire team. This team has greatly improved since the loss to Seattle two weeks ago. And this streak is much needed for a team that has struggled to score goals at times. Fire Midfielder Arne Friedrich suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of last night’s victory. He is listed as day to day. And there is a chance that he could be back on the field when the Fire make their way to the Pacific Northwest next Sunday to take on Portland.
The team will use these next couple of days to rest before they return practice later this week. Hopefully Friedrich will be healthy enough to play by then. Here is the box score from last night: http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-05-12-chi-v-kc/stats
And here is the post-game press conference with Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas:
And of course I can’t sign off without mentioning my guys at the Chicago Rush. Last night was the first game of a crucial 2 game road trip which began in Arizona. But unfortunately the Rattlers got the best of our Rush 77-43. Luke Drone got his first career start in a Rush uniform and this his how he fared: Passing: 28-51 396 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception. Rushing: 3 carries, 9 yards, 2 touchdowns. But it wasn’t enough as the Rush defense got torched. The Rattlers only lead 35-31 at halftime. But the Rush defense gave up 42 points in the 2nd half.
And to make things worse the Rush offense was held scoreless in the 3rd quarter. And if that wasn’t bad enough, San Antonio won their game this week and they own the tie breaker over the Rush. Both teams are now tied for first place in the Central Division. The Rush are now also a game behind San Jose for best record in the AFL. The Rush are tied for second in that category along with San Antonio, Arizona, and Utah. With San Antonio and Arizona both owning a victory over the Rush. The Rush now fall to 1-3 on the road this season.
The Rush now have a bye week to recharge their batteries before finishing their 2 game road trip in San Jose on May 26th. The Sabrecats have been on a tear winning their last 4 games. It doesn’t get any easier from here. Here is the box score from last night’s Rush game: http://www.arenafootball.com/game/chicago-rush-arizona-rattlers-5-12-2012
And tomorrow you can find me at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva as the Kane County Cougars will be in action with the first pitch being at high noon. You can follow me during that game on Twitter: @GabeSalgado82 Hashtag: #Q101Sports
Another cold, rainy night here at Toyota Park just like it was 2 weeks ago. 2 weeks ago the Fire lost 2-1 to the Seattle Sounders. Since then the Fire have gone 1-0-1 and they did so behind the defense of Goalkeeper Sean Johnson. On Friday May 4th the Fire went to Los Angeles and defeated Chivas USA 2-1. And earlier this week, they defended their home turf against Real Salt Lake. The problem with that game was they ended it with a scoreless tie (0-0). It was the third time that the Fire tied a game this season. Currently they are 3-2-3 on the 2012 season.
They are still 4th place in the Eastern Conference and they are 6 points behind the 3rd place D.C. United. But tonight the Fire face their biggest challenge to date this season. The first place and MLS best Sporting Kansas City {Formally the Kansas City Wizards} come to Toyota Park this evening. They average 2 goals per game, while only giving up 1 per game. They also won 4 games by way of shutout this season. They are 7-2-0 (21 points) on the season and are a heavily defensive team. They are led by Forward C.J. Sapong who is second on the team in scoring with 3 goals.
Midfielder Kei Kamara and Goalie Jimmy Nielsen anchor the defensive side for this KC team. Nielsen’s GAA this season is just 0.56. The only advantage that the Fire have is that Kansas City has lost two in a row. And with Sean Johnson holding down the fort, along with Marco Pappa bringing the offensive onslaught, I expect the Fire to be extremely competitive this evening. This will not be a walk on the park for SKC. But Sporting KC will not be intimidated as they are the best team in Major League Soccer, and their fan base has traveled to Chicago in force tonight.
So now we wait and see if the Fire can extend KC’s losing streak to 3 games. You can follow me during the game on Twitter: @GabeSalgado82 Hashtag: #Q101Sports and I will be posting on q101.com again at halftime.
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