How will the Fire fare going forward in 2010? (Getty Images)
Today is the start of a new series. As teams get into training camp and new players come on
board its worth looking into each club to see how they are stacking up and what else they need to
do to get ready for the 2010 season. I got this idea from the post I did a few days back on how the
Philadelphia Union were looking.
Game time: Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
TV: 6ABC
Philadelphia Union (2-5-1) pay a visit to the Chicago Fire (2-3-4) on Saturday in the latest
stop on the Union national tour, otherwise known as nine of 11 games being on the road to start
their season. They picked up their first road win last Saturday against Houston and come in with
all sorts of momentum, as their attack clicked last week better than it has in their existence.
A furious late comeback from two goals down is wasted as the Fire surrendered a deluge of corner
kicks and practically unchallenged header opportunities. The last corner kick chance was the
deciding factor as CJ Brown failed to mark Brian Ching in the 85th minute. An insane second half
which saw six combined goals provided some entertainment but little in terms of redemption for an
awful defensive performance.
PHOTO BY GOLDENBEARSPORTS.COMBY ADAM SERRANO
The college ranks have filled Major League Soccer with several young central defenders ripe
with potential in recent years, with the likes of Omar Gonzalez, Ike Opara and Tim Ream making the
smooth transition from college to the pros.
The Fire's mid week injury report upgrades Logan Pause from Doubtful to Questionable.
CHICAGO FIRE -- OUT: FW Calen Carr (R quad strain); DF Steven Kinney (L
hamstring strain); MF John Thorrington (L quad strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Logan Pause (L knee
sprain)
The Fire also have English midfielder Danny Spiller in for a look.
With a the World Cup buzz it's easy to overlook the fact that MLS resumes play this weekend. The
Fire travel to New England on Sunday night, with the early injury report being released today.
CHICAGO FIRE -- OUT: FW Calen Carr (R quad strain); MF John Thorrington (L quad
strain)
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION -- OUT: DF Darrius Barnes (R ankle sprain); GK Preston
Burpo (R leg surgery); FW Taylor Twellman (concussion)
Tim Ward is no longer on the injury report but John Thorrington's frustrations continue.
Things seemed to be going the Revolution's way early on Wednesday night at Toyota Park. Marko
Perovic had them a goal up in the 15th minute, but Baggio Husidic brought Chicago level in the
31st. Six minutes into the second-half, Emmanuel Osei was sent off for New England after picking up
his second yellow card.
Time to start thinking about this once again. This year it's a bit more complicated as two teams
will be making selections, but I don't expect the number of protected players (11) to change.
Especially since that same number was recently referenced after Portland was announced as picking
first on MLSsoccer.
Let's rewind to Thursday's draft for a minute. The Fire picked up a couple of defenders, two
midfielders and even a keeper with their selections, but neglected to draft a forward -- seemingly
a position of need -- with any one of their five picks.
On the surface (assuming the Fire took need into consideration when making their picks) not
drafting a forward makes little sense.
Here are a few notes before the match today.........
The injury list for both teams:
Colorado
Out: M Ciaran O'Brien, F Ross Schunk
Doubtful: G Ian Joyce
Questionable: M Jamie Smith
Probable: D Julien Baudet, F Conor Casey (foot sprain), F Omar Cummings (knee sprain)
Chicago
Questionable: M John Thorrington (quad strain), F Calen Carr (quad strain), D Wilman Conde (foot
contusion)
Probable: F Patrick Nyarko (ankle contusion)
It will be interesting to see if Casey and Cummings are both 100%.
The Fire's injury report for the upcoming match in Toronto lists John Thorrington and Justin
Mapp as "OUT". Collins John was jogging today at practice and the Fire are hopeful that he'll be
ready for Saturday. Logan Pause will travel to Toronto.
CHICAGO FIRE -- OUT: FW Calen Carr (R quad strain); DF Steven Kinney (L
hamstring strain); MF John Thorrington (L quad strain); MF Justin Mapp (L hamstring strain);
QUESTIONABLE: FW Collins John (sacroiliac dysfunction)
Tim Ward and Baggio Husidic were injured in training today and are new to the injury list. John
Thorrington is still out.
CHICAGO FIRE -- OUT: FW Calen Carr (R quad strain); MF John Thorrington (L quad
strain); DOUBTFUL: DF Tim Ward (L calf strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Baggio Husidic (R calcaneus
contusion); DF Steven Kinney (L hamstring strain); MF Justin Mapp (L hamstring strain)
USMNT World Cup Final 23
Bob Bradley has announced his 23 man roster for the World Cup. Here's the list...
Goalkeepers (3): Tim Howard, Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann.
Defenders (7): Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Jay
DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector.
The Fire have released their early injury report for the Philadelphia match.
CHICAGO FIRE -- OUT: FW Calen Carr (R quad strain); MF John Thorrington (L quad
strain); DF Tim Ward (L calf strain); PROBABLE: DF CJ Brown (bilateral quad soreness); FW Brian
McBride (R groin strain)
WIth a short turnaround after Philadelphia and a midweek game on June 9, I would expect that we
won't see Ward and Thorrington back until July.
CHICAGO FIRE -- OUT: FW Calen Carr (R quad strain); MF John Thorrington (L quad
strain); DF Tim Ward (L calf strain)
PHILADELPHIA UNION -- NONE REPORTED
CJ Brown and Brian McBride are no longer on the list and should be ready to go. There's a 70%
chance of rain at match time so it looks like it's going to be a wet one.
The MLS mid week injury report is out and the Fire has a new question mark for the RSL match.
Patrick Nyarko is listed as doubtful with concussion symptoms.
CHICAGO FIRE -- OUT: FW Calen Carr (R quad strain); MF John Thorrington (L quad
strain); DOUBTFUL: FW Patrick Nyarko (concussion symptoms); QUESTIONABLE: DF Dasan Robinson (R
hamstring strain)
REAL SALT LAKE -- QUESTIONABLE: MF Kyle Beckerman (L foot tendon tear);
PROBABLE: MF Nelson Gonzalez (L hamstring strain)
Sam has an update on an injury to Brian McBride as well.
Carlos De Los Cobos has used the one forward formation for a majority of this season but the
addition of Nery Castillo and Freddie Ljungberg has increased the coach's tactical options. It may
be another week or two before we see what De Los Cobos has ultimately decided on. Nery Castillo is
probably two weeks away from full fitness, while Patrick Nyarko has not fully regained his game
form while recovering from concussion symptoms.
Chicago Fire venció 2-1 al New England Revolution y logró tres puntos que le permiten seguir
peleando por un lugar en los play offs. La mala noticia es que Deris Umanzor no estuvo ni en la
banca. Los goles del equipo de De los Cobos fueron de Baggio Husidic y Calen Carr.
The Fire earned a badly needed three points against a New England side that made things
difficult after scoring the first goal of the match as a result of a giveaway by Wilman Conde.
Calen Carr marked his return to game action by celebrating the winning goal in the 85th minute.
The Fire was cohesive and enjoyed impressive amounts of possesion in the first half despite
coming out of the half tied at 1.
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Chicago Fire forward Calen Carr made his return a memorable one.
Carr netted a game-winning goal in the 85th minute as the Fire defeated the New England Revolution,
2-1, on Thursday in front of 14,056 at Toyota Park. The match was Carr's first since a scoreless
draw between the host Revs and the Fire on Oct.
Posted by Tim Patterson
If you want a detailed play by play of this game, talk to Jared because he was there. Great to
see Calen Carr grab an important goal coming back from injury!
Posted by Tim Patterson
If you want a detailed play by play of this game, talk to Jared because he was there. Great to
see Calen Carr grab an important goal coming back from injury!
Fresh off a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions League play in mid-week, Toronto FC
will try to ride that momentum when it hosts the New York Red Bulls Saturday afternoon at BMO
Field.
The Red Bulls and Toronto are both chasing Columbus in the Eastern Conference standings, and
with the Crew hosting Colorado later on Saturday, picking up some points in this match is important
for both sides.
By IAN HOLLIDAY
The Philadelphia Union dominated early and held on late to earn their first-ever shutout
Saturday night. A 36th minute Sebastien Le Toux goal was the difference as the Union defeated the
Chicago Fire 1-0 at PPL Park.
For the Fire, now winless in five matches, the loss is another blow to the club's playoff
chances.
By IAN HOLLIDAY
The Philadelphia Union dominated early and held on late to earn the first shutout in club
history. A 36th-minute Sebastien Le Toux goal was the difference as the Union defeated the Chicago
Fire, 1-0, at PPL Park on Saturday.
For the Fire, now winless in five matches, the loss is another blow to the club's playoff
chances.
Training was definitely fiery and intense this morning as the team seems to finally realize that
it's facing the possibility of missing the playoffs for only the second time in franchise history.
A full scrimmage followed by some spirited discussion is a good sign that the team is not taking
things lightly, but the question remains whether the side can gel together in time to salvage the
season.
The finish to this match couldn't have been a more appropriate or fitting end for a team that
has piled frustration on top of frustration for the better part of the past six months. An 88th
minute deflected goal by Blaise Nkufo is probably the final nail in the coffin for any playoffs
hopes in 2010.
The biggest news coming out of practice today is that Sean Johnson will miss Friday's game
against Columbus with an eye injury suffered in training yesterday. Johnson is suffering through a
condition called hyphema which occurs with internal bleeding in the eye causing blurred vision. The
injury occured on Tuesday when Johnson was hit by a shot at close range.
More photos » Tom Pennington - Getty Images
Sean Johnson is out this Friday. Wait, why is Calen Carr so close to our own goal? That says a
lot about this season doesn't it?
BY ADAM SERRANO
Brian McBride found the perfect way to end his illustrious career.
McBride scored the opening goal as the Chicago Fire ended their season with an impressive 4-1
victory over Chivas USA. It was a night in farewells at the Home Depot Center as three players
played their final match with their respective teams.
More photos » Victor Decolongon - Getty Images
Browse more photos »
In Brian McBride and C.J. Brown's career finales, the Chicago Fire made easy work of Chivas USA
in a 4-1 victory at the Home Depot Center on Saturday night.
The MLS expansion draft will be held on Wednesday and the Fire's list of protected players
includes a surprise or two. The team has elected to protect both Mike Banner and Calen Carr while
making two designated players and this year's opening day goalkeeper available for selection by
either Vancouver or Portland.
With the rumored departure of Freddie and the recent move of Wilman to Puebla, many of you are
trying to come up with who is going to start for the Fire next year. Instead of trying to convince
yourself that Corben Bone and Victor Pineda are ready to contribute next season you should be
fantasizing about what the Fire can do with the glorious amount of cap space they have.
