After stumbling in the Twin Cities last weekend, the Fire will get back in the saddle this Saturday to take on a red-hot New York Red Bulls team.
Head coach Gerhard Struber’s side has done something that no other team in MLS has done in 24 years. The Red Bulls have won their first four road games of the season, and - should they come away with three points at Soldier Field - would tie the 1998 LA Galaxy as the only teams ever with five-straight road wins to start a campaign.
In 1998, the Galaxy had a five-match road winning streak and eight game winning streak snapped by - you guessed it - the Chicago Fire.
Here’s what to look for in the Gerber Collision and Glass scouting report as Chicago look to play spoiler on what would be a massive achievement for the away side…
WHAT’S BEEN WORKING?
We all know what style the Red Bulls play by now. It’s frantic, in-your-face, energy drink soccer just as advertised more than a decade ago.
This style can be nauseating to watch as a fan and isn’t exactly an homage to the beautiful game, but it is more than effective - particularly on the road.
Teams at home think they’ll have more possession, less pressure, and time on the ball. The Red Bulls basically throw caution to the wind and press with every fiber of every player on the field and hope to turn the game into a street fight with minimal rhythm in hopes to turn you over and create chances higher up the field.
This winning streak away from Harrison, NJ hasn’t been without its fair share of luck, though…
This bout for history almost never was. A few weeks ago, the Red Bulls went down a man at New England, but caught a ridiculous break with one of the strangest own goals you’ve ever seen in the 90th minute. Bruce Arena said it was up there with the strangest, flukiest plays he’s seen in this league, and that guy has seen it all.
HOW THEY LINE UP
In defense, Carlos Coronel is one of the more underrated goalkeepers in MLS, and Aaron Long looks back to his normal self after rupturing his Achilles almost exactly a year ago. Sean Nealis is between the U.S. international and Tom Edwards in a back three, while Cristian Casseres and Frankie Amaya create the chaos in the engine room. John Tolkin and Lewis Morgan are skilled wingbacks who have endless motors and are more than capable in the attacking third. Tolkin might just be one of the most underrated left-footed wingbacks/exterior players in MLS, while Morgan has fit in beautifully after transferring to Red Bulls for $1.2M in GAM.
Polish striker Patryk Klimala has gotten the majority of reps at the No. 9 position, but has only registered one goal in eight appearances. Ashley Fletcher is a solid backup who has a large frame and can be a target for hold-up play once Red Bulls do win the ball back.
Their new Brazilian DP, Luquinhas, has been an excellent addition and is coming off his first MLS goal in the Red Bulls’ 3-0 win at Orlando last weekend. He will play on one side of Klimala or Fletcher. Bronx native Omir Fernandez has been playing the best football of his young career out on the other wing.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Beating the Red Bull press takes a bit of bravery mixed in with a dose of humble pie. There will be some moments where one-touch passing around the press or an individual skill move can alleviate the pressure and other instances where going direct is the best way to solve the problem. It is up to the players to pick and choose these moments and make sure they’re not making the wrong decision, because otherwise it will be a long night.
The Fire will be without Federico Navarro, who will be serving his one-game red card suspension, so I imagine Mauricio Pineda will sit next to Gastón Giménez in midfield. Giménez will have the unenviable task of trying to establish some form of rhythm against this frantic press.
I’ve mentioned this a couple times already this year, but giving Xherdan Shaqiri the ball in tight spaces needs to be a priority. He isn’t like other players, and has that magic in his locker to spin a defender (or five) on his back and break the press on his own. If the Fire can play through “Shaq” I think they will find a lot of success.
Chicago has a real chance to nix a bid for MLS history on their own patch at Soldier Field, and are looking to put an end to what has been a lengthy scoring drought. If you’re not on the lakefront with us, then Tony and I will see you on WGN and CF97 Live on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.
