MATCH INFO |
|
|---|---|
<strong>Matchup</strong> |
Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew SC |
<strong>Date</strong> |
Sunday, July 19 • 4 p.m. CT |
<strong>Location</strong> |
MAPFRE Stadium; Columbus, Ohio |
<strong>TV</strong> |
ESPN2 |
<strong>Radio</strong> |
ESPN Deportes 97.5 FM Chicago (Spanish) |
The Chicago Fire have little time to think about rivalries right now.
At 18 points, the Men in Red are approaching every match with the same attitude, regardless of opponent.
Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to the Crew only intensifies the focus. Chicago's first-half performance caught head coach Frank Yallop and the team off-guard because of their recent improved play. Now, it’s a quick turnaround as they go in search of their first road win of 2015.
“I know the rivalry between Chicago and Columbus,” Fire head coach Frank Yallop said Friday. “It doesn’t go beyond our thoughts, but it’s just another game, and we’ve got to get three points. Going back to Wednesday, I was surprised at the way we played. It’s not a dig at anybody. I felt that the guys’ hearts were in the right place. We just didn’t perform well, first half especially, and we played against a team that was upbeat and played well. We’ve got to change that for Sunday.”
With two goals in their last five MLS matches, it helps to get one of the team’s most dynamic offensive players back from a hamstring injury. David Accam, who veritably changed the tenor of the game with his late appearance Wednesday, is tied for the team lead with four goals in 10 appearances. He figures to be ready to go Sunday, while midfielder Shaun Maloney is inching closer to match fitness.
“I feel that those two are the ones that make a difference hugely when they play because of the way they play: dynamic, they’ve got pace, they’ve got endeavor and they’ve got stuff that drives our team on,” Yallop said. “And I think we saw that when they played. It’s just a little frustrating that they’ve been out together, but they’re coming back, so that’s good news.”
Besides Maloney, a few other injury issues have come about. Yallop said Mike Magee “got a knock” while Matt Polster, who filled in at centerback Wednesday night, is dealing with a tight hamstring. Both will be evaluated further on Saturday. As for recent acquisition Ty Harden, the center back re-aggravated his hamstring and will likely be out 7-10 days.
Regardless, Yallop still feels the short break between matches against Columbus will benefit his side. There’s less time to think about what led to Wednesday’s performance. The Fire are just ready to prove that they’re better than that showing indicated.
“If you’ve got a 10-day wait, it’s a bit like death row,” Yallop said. “You’re waiting all that time to see if you can turn it around. I think the quick turnaround, for us, is good. Our bodies will be a little bit beat up. So will theirs. We’ve just got to go in there with a good attitude and just try and get an away win, which we have not done for a while with whoever plays. We’ll prepare and we’ll be ready tomorrow and travel, and then hopefully we can get that result.”
SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: CLB: Mohammed Saeid … CHI: Guly do Prado
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: CLB: Kevan George, Hector Jimenez, Emanuel Pogatetz, Waylon Francis, Kei Kamara, Justin Meram … CHI: Chris Ritter, Erig Gehrig
DISABLED LIST: none
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: CLB: Kevan George (Trinidad & Tobago, CONCACAF Gold Cup) … CHI: Joevin Jones (Trinidad & Tobago, CONCACAF Gold Cup)
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (54 meetings): Crew SC 15 wins (0 shootout), 79 goals … Fire 24 wins (1 shootout), 80 goals … Ties 15
AT COLUMBUS (26 meetings): Crew SC 9 wins (0 shootout), 45 goals … Fire 10 wins (1 shootout), 36 goals … Ties 17
