Tag Archives: Pavel Pardo

August 3, 2011 · 10:01 pm

RECAP: Chicago Fire 1-1 Philadelphia Union

Following an 18 day break from MLS play, a new look Chicago Fire returned to Toyota Park in hopes of earning just its second home win of the season. That win still alludes the Fire, however, as the Philadelphia Union held the men in red to a 1-1 draw in front of just 10,557 fans.

With Sebastian Grazzini and Pavel Pardo both making their Fire debuts, Fire fans could be forgiven for expecting more than yet another draw from tonight’s match. A promising start saw Grazzini nearly announce himself to Chicago in spectacular fashion, firing a long distance shot just over the crossbar. Marco Pappa also tested Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon before the Union scored against the run of play in the 34th minute.

Velijko Paunovic pounced on a loose ball and rifled a powerful left-footed shot from 35 yards out past Sean Johnson for a surprise lead – a killer blow for Chicago, who had certainly created the better chances. Nyarko attempted to draw the Fire level with a volley from outside the box before half, but once again Mondragon was equal to it.

Mondragon would finally be beaten in the second half. Less than ten minutes in, Dominic Oduro rolled the ball back to Pardo who finished with a composure often lacking from this Fire team, a fine debut goal for a player who was deemed to be not fit enough to start tonight. Oduro could’ve and should’ve gone on to fire the home side into the lead, but spurned two opportunities after being put through on goal inside the box. In truth, Mondragon deserves praise for thwarting the Ghanaian.

In the end, the Fire were left to rue yet another draw, and just as painfully, yet another home match without a win.

Stay tuned for match analysis and highlights. Follow @chicagofireblog on Twitter for more updates.

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August 2, 2011 · 8:57 pm

A New Era Begins for the Chicago Fire: Analyzing the Chances of a Resurgence

It’s been 18 days since that disappointing 1-0 home loss to the Portland Timbers. That said, it’s amazing how much can happen in two and a half weeks. For starters, the Fire hosted reigning Premier League champions Manchester United in a 3-1 loss in front of a sold out Soldier Field. As memorable of a spectacle as it was, it has been off the field where the Fire have really made themselves busy.

Having already secured the signature of Sebastian Grazzini prior to the MLS All-Star break, the Fire announced the arrival of Pavel Pardo just days after playing Manchester United, a move that also saw Bratislav Ristic cut from the team’s roster. Movement in the transfer market didn’t stop there as long time Fire defender and fan favorite Dasan Robinson was traded to Toronto FC for Dan Gargan and a supplemental draft pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

Much has been made of Chicago’s activity during this lengthy break from MLS play while many questions have been raised: Who will play where? What impact will these new arrivals have? Can the Fire finally make a surge up the Eastern Conference table? It may not be possible to answer all of these questions, at least at the time being, but Wednesday night’s match against the Philadelphia Union will certainly provide one or two clues.

The Union arrive in Chicago with the second best record in the East. Under the management of former Chicago Fire midfielder and Ring of Fire inductee Peter Nowak, Philadelphia has surpassed the expectations of many this season by proving to be a strong playoff contender. The 2010 MLS expansion side has already defeated the Fire once this season in a 2-1 win at PPL Park on May 21st. Dominic Oduro canceled out a 63rd minute opener by Michael Farfan, but Carlos Ruiz settled the match with a stunning 30-yard volley past Jon Conway.

Following that loss, the Fire’s fourth of the season, Chicago would go on an eight match unbeaten run before losing consecutive matches to Los Angeles and Portland prior to the All-Star break. Seated at the bottom of the table with a record of 2-12-6, the men in red desperately need three points if they are to propel any type of surge up the conference table. With Grazzini set to start on Wednesday and Pardo having an outside chance of starting, the Fire will hope to start what many are calling a new era with what will be just the second home win of the season.

Grazzini will lead the forward charge for the Fire, but the main question on everyone’s minds is what formation Frank Klopas will use. If Pardo starts, which could be doubtful, the Fire could possibly line up in a rare 4-1-2-1-2 with Grazzini at the top of the diamond. Seeing as this match could come a little to soon for the former Mexican international, a Daniel Paladini and Grazzini midfield pairing seems plausible as Logan Pause reverts to playing at right-back.

After a well earned rest, Diego Chaves looks primed to partner Oduro up front. Christian Nazarit is also available but Klopas may opt for speed over power against an injury-struck Philadelphia defense. If that’s the case, Marco Pappa and Patrick Nyarko will almost certainly occupy the wings. Sean Johnson is guaranteed a start in goal, but his back four is slightly less certain.

Yamith Cuesta is suspended following his red card against the Timbers, meaning Josip Mikulic should partner Cory Gibbs in center defense while Gonzalo Segares will indisputably start at left-back, a position he has made his own during the past few seasons. As for right-back, Pause is a potential option should Klopas decide to drop Jalil Anibaba. In truth, it’s a matter of preference for Klopas. Experience over speed or Anibaba over Pause?

Regardless of how the Fire line up against Philadelphia, they should be well placed to finally pick up another home win, a true rarity at Toyota Park this season. The standings don’t lie and Peter Nowak’s side may have only lost once in the last six matches, but the Chicago Fire look poised to finally turn this season around. If there’s still a glimmer of hope for the MLS playoffs, now is the time to spark a resurgence throughout the squad. If this really is a new era for Frank Klopas and his men, now is the time to make it count.

Stay tuned for team news and match facts for Wednesday’s match between the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union. Follow @chicagofireblog on Twitter for more updates.

 

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July 27, 2011 · 8:04 am

Chicago Fire Sign Pavel Pardo: What this means for the Fire

In the most unsurprising move of the transfer season so far, the Chicago Fire announced the signing of former Mexican International Pavel Pardo on Tuesday on a deal running through the end of the 2011 season. Months of speculation finally drew to a close as the Fire released Bratislav Ristic on a free transfer to create roster space for Pardo, who most recently played for Club America. Contrary to popular belief, Pardo has not been assigned to a Designated Player slot, but will instead fill the international spot previously occupied by Ristic.

So what does this mean for the Fire? Expect changes to the starting line-up and lots of them. The Fire are fortunate to have a full week before they host the Philadelphia Union to toy with new formations and starting lineup variations. The club certainly didn’t sign Pardo to have him sit on the bench, so we can expect to see one of the Fire’s central midfielders be relegated to the bench for the match against Philadelphia.

And if that midfielder is Logan Pause, which it will most likely be, we may see him moved to the right back position at the expense of Jalil Anibaba. Pause has spent significant time playing at right back for the club and having failed to really provide the spark Chicago needs in midfield this season, moving Pause to right back would be the only suitable option for Klopas if he intends on avoiding a change in captaincy. Anibaba has enjoyed a steady season at right back, but as a rookie he lacks the experience of fighting for an MLS playoff spot, whereas Pause has been there and seen it all before. That said, Pause’s speed could be an issue at right back. As a player not known for pace, Pause may struggle against some of the league’s faster wingers – an area Anibaba has coped remarkably well in.

With Pardo presumably slotting in for Pause, Grazzini – who also signed for the Fire this month – will most likely take up a center attacking position in midfield while Pardo drops deep and anchors the midfield. Both players are excellent passers of the ball and will certainly provide much needed attacking impetus in the final third.

Logan Pause: Time for the captain to move to the bench?

Regardless of whether Klopas opts for a diamond formation with Grazzini at the top of the diamond or with the two new signings partnering each other in midfield, Patrick Nyarko and Marco Pappa are almost guaranteed to retain their starting spots on the wings. If this is the case, Dominic Oduro, who has enjoyed a fantastic debut season so far, will continue playing up front and will be joined by either Christian Nazarit or Diego Chaves. Oduro can also play on the wing if necessary.

The signings of Pardo and Grazzini will only benefit the Fire as they seek to make a strong push for a playoff spot. These acquisitions will also add depth to the Fire’s midfield and increase the competition for places. Baggio Husidic, Daniel Paladini, and Corben Bone will all have their work cut out for them in order to earn time on the pitch, but ultimately, competition for places is what you want in a team.

For the Fire players and staff, they must be thankful they have until next Wednesday to adapt to a new lineup, as well as a new formation. As for Fire supporters, the Philadephia match won’t be able to come fast enough as fans eagerly anticipate seeing how Klopas shuffles around his starting eleven and utilizes his two big name signings.

Potential Starting XI vs. Philadelphia on Aug. 3rd:

GK – Johnson

RB – Pause

CB – Cuesta

CB – Gibbs

LB – Segares

CDM – Pardo

RM – Pappa

LM – Nyarko

CAM – Grazzini

ST – Oduro

ST – Nazarit

 

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