How Unlucky Can Orr Barouch Get?

Three matches ago against Sporting Kansas City the Chicago Fire were on a 10-match winless streak and desperate to turn their fortunes around with a win in the newly constructed LIVESTRONG Park. With the score deadlocked at 0-0, a familiar score line during that winless run for the Fire, Frank Klopas sent on Barouch for Christian Nazarith in the 76th minute. Minutes later, Erik Kronberg spilled a powerful Daniel Paladini shot from distance, allowing the ball to fall kindly into the path of Barouch. It had to be a goal for Barouch and it surely had to be a much needed three points for the Chicago Fire? Not to be. Barouch’s effort ricocheted off the crossbar and that winless streak continued.

Three days later in Columbus, Barouch was sent on for the recently departed Gaston Puerari in the 67th minute in order to help turn the Fire’s dominance into a goal. Just 10 minutes later and Barouch nearly scored an absolute screamer with a shot from just outside the left side of the Crew penalty box, only to see his shot cannon off the crossbar and be cleared to safety. He would, however, play a huge role in that crucial match winner from Nazarith.

Saturday night in New England saw Barouch’s bad luck in front of goal continue as his header off Baggio Husidic’s corner in the second half was destined for the back of the net only for the ball to be cleared off the line by Ryan Guy. It would have most likely been the match winner for the Fire and a well deserved goal for Barouch, who after so much misfortune of late, deserves a goal as much as anyone.

And as if Barouch hasn’t already been unfortunate enough in front of goal, he’s also been extremely unlucky not to have received his first start of the season after some impressive performances off the bench during the past few weeks. The Israeli forward has now made 13 appearances for the Fire this season with every one of them coming from off the bench. Has he done enough to warrant a start? It’s debatable, but I would say yes. And has he done enough to deserve a goal? Well there’s simply no doubting that.