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Team:&nbsp;Chicago Fire
Coach: Frank Klopas
Last Season: 9-9-16, 6th East, 11th Overall
Twitter Hashtag: #CF97
In our 2011 preview of the Chicago Fire, I predicted the Fire would either make a surprise long run in the playoffs or miss the playoffs, be stuck in neutral, and just be lost in the near future. &nbsp;Neither of those predictions came true: the Fire did miss the playoffs and looked at a time to be muddling through the season, but hit a hot streak towards the end of the season and barely&nbsp;missed the playoffs.
The Fire now looks like a favorite not only to make the playoffs but to challenge for the Eastern Conference itself. &nbsp;Much of this relies on how well&nbsp;they translate that hot streak to a full season, but also if some of the holes that developed this offseason are gaping or&nbsp;minuscule.
Coaching Staff and Front Office: &nbsp;The Frank Klopas experiment is going strong after the team’s technical director came out of the director’s box and led the team to seven wins in their last ten MLS matches. &nbsp;Klopas is not a cool tactician, but an emotional guy who could be called a “players’ coach”. &nbsp;What remains to be seen is how he does with a full season coaching this team. &nbsp;While the results so far are promising, any time a team replaces a coach with a guy already inside the organization, usually a team is making a hire not to rock the boat and stick with an organizational plan.&nbsp; This is fine if the team is winning, but not when it’s missed the playoffs&nbsp;(right Revolution fans?). &nbsp;The future looks promising, but the jury is still out.
Key Roster Additions: &nbsp;Rafael Roboyo was an interesting signing for this team. &nbsp;He comes from the Colombian first division champions and has been labeled a <a href="http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2012/2/6/2774411/lets-talk-about-midfielders#storyjump" target="_blank">box-to-box</a>&nbsp;type player who can play a few different positions in the middle. &nbsp;He is expected to challenge for a&nbsp;starting job&nbsp;and make a good midfield even better. &nbsp;The other big signing is Uruguayan striker Federico Puppo. &nbsp;The 25-year old striker is 5’8″ so he adds another speedy&nbsp;diminutive&nbsp;presence to this team. &nbsp;&nbsp;In via&nbsp;the draft&nbsp;are defenders Austin Berry (Louisville) and all-name first teamer Hunter Jumper (Virginia), two players would could see plenty of playing time this season.
Key Roster Subtractions: &nbsp;Diego Chaves departed the team to sign with Palestino after the team did not re-sign him this offseason. &nbsp;His departure certainly hurts the team’s proven depth at forward. &nbsp;Other than Chaves, the team’s departures mainly cleared up cap/allocation space and room on the bench.&nbsp; The team did sell <del>William Dube’s</del>&nbsp;Wilman Conde’s rights to New York for allocation, which is curious considering their need for a veteran defender.
Projected Starters: &nbsp;Sean Johnson is quickly becoming an elite talent in MLS, finally getting his invitation to the national team and training overseas this winter. &nbsp;Johnson may be the most solid starter on defense. &nbsp;In front of him, veterans Corey Gibbs and Gonsalvo Segares are the two veterans that will anchor the backline.&nbsp; The other two spots will be between the two draft picks, international players, or maybe a few trialists.
The midfield again should be the strength of the team. &nbsp;And the strength of the strength are the two holding midfielders Pavel Pardo and Logan Pause. &nbsp;Pardo is 35 years old but played much younger than that. &nbsp;His re-signing may have been the best signing of the winter. &nbsp;Logan Pause developed into a good MLS players and complements Pardo well. &nbsp;In front of them is the triumvirate of Marco Pappa, Patrick Nyarko, and Sebastian Grazzini with Rafael Robayo pushing for playing time in one of these slots. &nbsp;The combination of speed, passing, and finish are all present with these midfielders but the depth behind them is suspect.
Up front of course is Dominic Oduro, who had such a great year after so many seasons of not living up to his potential. &nbsp;If he can keep finishing the goals he creates, then Chicago will have no problem scoring goals this season.
Player to Watch: &nbsp;With so little experience in the back, the player to watch is Austin Berry. &nbsp;The highly rated defender will have to earn his paycheck immediately and his ability to translate his success at the college level to the pro level will determine whether Chicago will have to outscore teams to win.
Best Case Scenario: &nbsp;The momentum carries over from last season and Chicago starts out strong. &nbsp;The defense&nbsp;is decent to good enough&nbsp;with Sean Johnson taking the next step, and the offense rivals Kansas City for the East’s best. &nbsp;In fact, this team looks alot like Sporting Kansas City last season: exciting and dangerous.&nbsp; In the summer, Chicago swoops in for a big DP signing and the Fire contend for the Eastern Conference title.
Worst Case Scenario: &nbsp;That designated player constantly rumored never surfaces. &nbsp;Dominic Oduru fails to replicate last year’s success and injuries hit the midfield. &nbsp;The defense can’t hold up and Sean Johnson gets serious looks from overseas teams. &nbsp;Chicago misses the playoff for the third straight year.
Prediction: This team will walk a fine line this year.&nbsp; They obviously have the talent to make a run in the playoffs but lack the depth to overcome sustained injuries or poor play.&nbsp; My prediction is that the team stays relatively healthy and continues their strong play from last year, finishing second in the Eastern Conference.

MLS '12 Preview &#8211; The Chicago Fire

MLS '12 Preview - The Chicago Fire - World Soccer Talk

MLS '12 Preview – The Chicago Fire

Chicago ended the year as potentially the best non-playoff team in MLS. &nbsp;They caught “fire” and had a winning record for the final third of the season, almost stealing the tenth playoff spot from New York. &nbsp;The same team that set the MLS record for draws in a season (which they tied with NY) gave interim head coach Frank Klopas the full time job this offseason based on their excellent finish. &nbsp;Dominic Oduro finally lived up to his promised to finish with double digit goals while newcomers Sebastian Grazzini and Pavel Pardo were veritable finds. &nbsp;Looking forward to 2012, the team looks like it could make a jump in the standings if it can carry over the momentum.
What do the Fire need to do to make the playoffs in 2012? &nbsp;Chicago is up next in our “3 Questions” series.
1. Who will Klopas bring back from his European scouting trip?
Frank Klopas made a highly-publicized <a href="http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2011/12/klopas-seeks-striker-european-scouting-trip" target="_blank">trip to Europe</a> a few weeks back to search for, in his words, a midfielder and a striker. &nbsp;He was looking for another forward to pair up front with Dominic Oduro as well as build a working relationship with La Liga’s Atletico Madrid. &nbsp;This is a critical trip, as his depth up front may be thinner than when he left. &nbsp;Diego Chaves has been in the media saying that <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-10560445" target="_blank">he wants out</a> and, while he underperformed last season, he was at least a viable threat up front. &nbsp;Israeli youngster Orr Barouch was signed away from his Israeli club but he is not yet an every day performer that the team needs to make that next step. &nbsp;Patrick Nyarko is more of a wing player and not as much a compliment to Oduro. &nbsp;Kheli Dube, <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire/post/_/id/2304/fire-select-dube-in-re-entry-draft" target="_blank">selected in the Re-Entry Draft</a>, is depth and not a full-time starter.
The rumors have been flying about potential names, and the name(s) Klopas can come up with will be critical to this team’s success. &nbsp;If they can find another forward or CAM to fit Klopas’ system, this could be a very dangerous team.
2. Sean Johnson: will he be a better keeper for the Fire in December 2012 than he was in December 2011?
There are two parts to this question. &nbsp;The first is: will Sean Johnson be with the Fire next year? &nbsp;He’s training with Everton currently and, while the Toffees have a decent keeper <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/34158/tim-howard?cc=5901" target="_blank">you may have heard of</a>, Johnson may catch the eye of a European club looking for a new long-term solution in net. &nbsp;This is however the curse of an MLS team with young talent.
The bigger question is whether he takes the next step and becomes a dominant MLS keeper. &nbsp;Like DC’s Bill Hamid, Johnson has all of the tools to be the next great keeper but needs to improve his decision-making and leadership. &nbsp;With the call-up to the national team, he certainly will be able to train with the best America has to offer and should be a much more polished keeper this time next season. &nbsp;At least Fire fans should hope so.
They have no choice. &nbsp;Their back-up is <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/fire/post/_/id/2293/fire-sign-barouch-trade-for-gk-nolly" target="_blank">Jay Nolly</a>.
3. Can the Fire recreate the magic of August and September 2011?
Luck was a lady dating the Fire last year. &nbsp;Oduro finally began converting those chances he created, and Nyarko and Barouch grew up. &nbsp;The overseas midseason acquisitions performed as well as could be expected. &nbsp;Even the interim coach who had never been a head coach at the MLS level before made all the right moves. &nbsp;The question this offseason is can Chicago retain the magic that made that run possible. &nbsp;Can they acquire the right players without upsetting the balance of personalities?
More importantly, can they keep the joyous play they maintained last season? After their shocking 2-1 victory at DC United last year, I went to the locker room to interview Frank Klopas, and the atmosphere went beyond happy about a win. &nbsp;It was CYO level of fun, just plain joy with the game. &nbsp;This joy, this fun with the game, is hard to maintain over a season but to capture a little of it at key times will help Chicago make a run in the playoffs.

Are the Fire Playoff Bound? Three Questions for Chicago

Are the Fire Playoff Bound? Three Questions for Chicago - World Soccer Talk

Leave it to MLS to miss a slam dunk. &nbsp;As part of their daily unveiling of award winners leading up to the MLS Cup (an idea that I like that they do), the league announced the winners of the Comeback Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. &nbsp;One of these awards was a no-brainer while the other one had reasonable arguments for all of the candidates, but strong arguments in favor of one of the finalists. &nbsp;So MLS of course went with the biggest names and announced that David Beckham and his coach Bruce Arena had won Comeback Player and Coach of the Year, respectively.
The problem was that neither was the most deserving of this award, and in Beckham’s case it wasn’t even close.
Before I explain the error of MLS’s ways I want to make two critical points. &nbsp;The first is that I acknowledge that these votes have multiple components, with front offices and players being involved in the voting. &nbsp;When I say “MLS” I am also criticizing those elements of the vote. &nbsp;Secondly I acknowledge the fact that some of you may criticize my perspective because I am an avowed DC United fan when I am not professionally covering events. &nbsp;I won’t be able to convince some of you otherwise except to say that my opinion is <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/earl_of_reed" target="_blank">shared</a> by <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/GrantWahl" target="_blank">non-DCU</a> writers.
On to the awards, and I’ll start with Comeback Player of the Year. &nbsp;The three finalists for the award were Dominic Oduro (poor 2010 season), David Beckham (2010 Achilles injury), and Charlie Davies (2009 car accident, missed 2010). &nbsp;Beckham edged out Davies for the award in the weighted vote with Oduro trailing by a decent percentage. &nbsp;This is an absolute sham. &nbsp;Statistically speaking, Beckham had a better season than Davies; Beckham was a key midfielder for a team that won the Supporters Shield and almost led the league in assists. &nbsp;Davies tailed off after a great start to the season and by October there were questions as to whether he would even be brought back by DC United. &nbsp;Beckham was the league’s first international superstar, Davies has a great story but by the end was making some questionable PR moves.
That aside, this is not a Player of the Year or Most Photogenic award, this is a comeback award, and it is hard to argue that Davies does not deserve this over the rest of the field. &nbsp;His 2009 car wreck was so horrific his life was in danger potentially and his career certainly was in doubt; he visibly carries the scars with him. &nbsp;The fact that he scored eight goals and carried DC briefly before the De Rosario trade when the prior year he didn’t even play professional soccer is incredible. &nbsp;Granted, he isn’t back to where he was but he has come a long way and his comeback is mighty impressive. &nbsp;Beckham also made a comeback from injury, but that was an&nbsp;Achilles&nbsp;injury probably due to playing overseas plus repeated travel. &nbsp;Some have claimed that Davies did not deserve to win because he did not play in MLS last season; Beckham was hurt playing in&nbsp;Serie A and openly&nbsp;angling for an overseas loan. &nbsp;If prior MLS playing time was a criteria (and it should be stated if so), Geoff Cameron deserves this award. &nbsp;But to give it to Beckham over Davies is a terrible mistake.
Now to Coach of the Year, and this one is less cut and dried. &nbsp;Bruce Arena is undoubtedly a great coach, there is no doubt about that, and to bring this team of immense egos to the finish line in the regular season is a tremendous accomplishment. &nbsp;Phil Jackson was coach of the year in the NBA for a reason. &nbsp;However, on a team where you could solve your striker problem by shedding one designated player to sign another three million dollar a year international, that should count as a strike against your candidacy. &nbsp;That’s not a coaching skill, that’s a competitive advantage.
Let’s now consider the candidacy of Peter Vermes, a coach I put on my hot seat early in the year. &nbsp;For the first few months of the season, Sporting Kansas City did not have a home stadium, and rather than drift down into the bottom of the league the team survived to finish first in the Eastern Conference. &nbsp;There was certainly talent on the team due to some shrewd signings like Omar Bravo, but it was the team’s growth around some young players like C.J. Sapong and Teal Bunbury that really pushed it over the top. &nbsp;Graham Zusi is now being discussed as a potential USMNT call-up and Omar Bravo, while a proven international talent, could have struggled more in integrating himself to MLS like so many others have before him. &nbsp;This was a team that made a lot out of not as much proven talent as LA and Seattle, but still clinched the first seed in the competitive East. &nbsp;Were they a better team than LA and Seattle? &nbsp;No but they made do with less, and that should be a major consideration for Coach of the Year.

MLS Blows it Badly With Comeback, Coach of the Year Awards

MLS Blows it Badly With Comeback, Coach of the Year Awards - World Soccer Talk

Houston Dynamo 1 – Chicago Fire 1
(Clark 33′, Oduro 43′)
With the way the results in the Eastern Conference shook out this weekend, not getting the full three points was a major blow for Chicago, who see their playoff hopes still alive but a bit more on life support. &nbsp;Neither team looked like they wanted to push for the full three points from the get-go anyway. &nbsp;Chicago, keeping an eye on Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup final, held out at least three healthy starters but did start on-fire (no pun intended) Dominic Oduro. &nbsp;The speedy striker notched his twelfth goal of the season by beating Bobby Boswell in a foot race (insert joke here) and equalizing after Colin Clark had put the Dynamo ahead ten minutes earlier. &nbsp;When Oduro was pulled early in the second half, the Fire essentially conceded the draw. &nbsp;For Houston, their inability to not get three points in this match is disconcerting, as they sit in a wild card spot for now but only have a lead of three points ahead of 11th place Portland.
Toronto FC 1 – New York Red Bulls 1
(Koevermans 50′, Henry 88′)
I said earlier this week that this match, more so than the Dallas and Portland games, would be the true test of whether New York was a contender in the East. &nbsp;So what can we gleam from this match? &nbsp;Thierry Henry can carry this team to a certain point, but that point may not be enough. &nbsp;The Red Bulls looked lackluster in this match for the entire first half until the Koevermans goal snapped them out of their funk. &nbsp;At that point, Henry became a real threat to Toronto although it took quite a nice goal from him to actually tie the game. &nbsp;Their next match (Tuesday against Los Angeles) will not be any easier, as LA is looking to clinch the Supporters’ Shield, so NY may rue the missed opportunity.
Seattle Sounders 2 – New England Revolution 1
(Fagundez 35′, Montero 36’/48′)
The story of this match for New England was the first start and the second goal for 16 year-old Diego Fagundez. &nbsp;The youngster scored off a corner kick and honestly provided the only spark on offense for the Revolution in this match. &nbsp;The Sounders quickly equalized and Montero added the game-winner twelve minutes after, but honestly Seattle could have won by more. &nbsp;A Milton Caraglio chance was ruled offside early in the match, and Montero’s quest for a hat trick was thwarted by Matt Reis in the 58th minute with a goal line save. &nbsp;In a bad sign for Chicago, Seattle also rested a number of its starters for Tuesday’s final but still was able to get all three points (albeit against a weaker opponent).
Colorado Rapids 1 – FC Dallas 0
(Moor 25′)
Was this match more about Colorado or FC Dallas? &nbsp;The visitors have now not won a game in any competition since August 27 and despite outshooting the Rapids 11-8, they could not find that elusive equalizer. &nbsp;Brek Shea again had his moments of playing well, but did not score like he did earlier in the season. &nbsp;Despite have 46 points and sitting firmly in the playoffs now, the possibility exists of Dallas falling out of the playoffs. &nbsp;Colorado, who is also in playoff position but could slip out if their play continues to slip, got a very valuable win. &nbsp;Drew Moor scored in the second time in as many games. &nbsp;I’d be curious to hear from fans of either team: did Colorado win this game or did Dallas lose it?
Los Angeles Galaxy 2 – Real Salt Lake 1
(Espindola 45′, Barrett 59′, Borchers [OG] 72′)
First the good news for RSL: Javier Morales returned and played eighty minutes, which is incredibly important for a playoff run. &nbsp;The goal also came off a free kick earned late in a first half where the Galaxy looked to have more chances. &nbsp;However, it was the Galaxy who came away with the win after some excellent second half play. &nbsp;The first goal came off some confused play between Jamison Olave and Nick Rimando, which allowed Barrett to grab a too-easy goal. &nbsp;The second was just a the result of too much Galaxy pressure and a bad attempt at a block by Borchers. &nbsp;Incredibly, this match was the first time the Galaxy had <a href="http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2011/10/galaxy-inch-closer-to-shield-with-2-1-comeback-over-rsl-.html#more" target="_blank">trailed at halftime </a>this season, and with a win over the Red Bulls on Tuesday they can clinch the Supporters’ Shield.
San Jose Earthquakes 1 – Sporting Kansas City 1
(Wondolowski 85′, Bunbury 86′)
What was for the most part a slow game turned very interesting late in the second half with two capped U.S. internationals providing goals within seconds of each other. &nbsp;Wondo found the back of the net seemingly against the run of play as KC had become more aggressive in the second half, and looked to the home crowd to be the winner. &nbsp;However, on the subsequent kickoff, C.J. Sapong found Teal Bunbury with an excellent pass which he converted for an equalizer. &nbsp;For a team that looked to have dropped their late game heroics habit, it was nice to equalize but a win would have helped them more strongly secure the first seed in the East.
Columbus Crew 2 – DC United 1
(Woolard 37’/OG 48′, Gaven 60′)
Columbus snaps its six match winless streak with some help from DC and a returning friend with a 2-1 victory. &nbsp;Despite the Crew dominating possession DCU struck first on a nifty Daniel Woolard flick on goal off a free kick. &nbsp;But Woolard would even the game early in the second half when, trying to clear the DC zone, he redirected a loose ball into the net. &nbsp;Twelve minutes later, Eddie Gaven, who had been out for the past two months, headed a cross past Bill Hamid for the game winning goal. &nbsp;Dwayne De Rosario looked slow and tired in this match, likely from his knee contusion suffered Thursday and the number of minutes he’s played. &nbsp;When he’s having an off game, Charlie Davies and (when he plays) Joseph Ngwenya need to step up for DC; neither did on Sunday.
Portland Timber 1 – Vancouver Whitecaps 0
(Cooper 25′)
Kenny Cooper spoiled the opening of BC Place and kept Portland in the thick of the playoff race with a nice goal midway through the first half. &nbsp;Vancouver had plenty of chances in this match, but a combination of missed opportunities and Portland hunkering down prevented them from winning their new-home opener. &nbsp;As it stands, the ‘Caps are on pace for the fewest wins in an MLS season. &nbsp;Portland, meanwhile, moves into a tie on points with New York but fall behind on a tiebreaker. &nbsp;Actually winning on the road bodes well for Portland, which has some critical away matches to close out the season.
Chivas USA 1 – Philadelphia Union 1
(Mapp 59′, Angel 90′)
Similar to Chicago/Houston, this match helped one team’s playoff position while keeping another one on life support. &nbsp;Juan Pablo Angel rescued the Goats with a very late header off an assist by Michael Lahoud. &nbsp;Chivas now sits four points out of a playoff spot while Philadelphia is tied for second in the East. &nbsp;As much attention as Dwayne De Rosario has received for his improved play on a new team, if he is an MVP candidate does that also make Angel one? &nbsp;The statistics aren’t as good but if you judge it strictly on value to a team, it’s hard to argue against him, as he has provided the offense for their late push.

Seattle Looks Sound: Week 29 Review

Seattle Looks Sound: Week 29 Review - World Soccer Talk

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