Tag Archives: USA

August 10, 2011 · 10:44 pm

Daily Dose: MLS strikes deal with NBC, USA draws Mexico, and why didn’t the Fire pursue Jesse Marsch?

MLS on NBC

In the big news of the day, Major League Soccer announced a groundbreaking deal with NBC Sports Group. The three-year agreement will see NBC and NBC Sports Network broadcast 45 live MLS matches and four live US Men’s National Team games, ensuring America soccer will earn even more attention throughout the next couple of years.

Although NBC will only broadcast two regular-season MLS matches and two playoff contests, with the rest being televised on NBC Sports Network, it’s still a big step forward for a league constantly seeking more notice. And for most MLS fans, hopefully this will mean watching more broadcasts in English.

Jesse Marsch named Montreal Impact Head Coach

Elsewhere, NASL side Montreal Impact, due to join the MLS in 2012, announced that former Chicago Fire midfielder Jesse Marsch will take the reigns of Head Coach for the Impact after previously serving as assistant coach to Bob Bradley for the U.S. National Team. Marsch spent eight seasons with the Chicago Fire from 1998-2005, making 200 appearances for the club. Marsch was also a strong candidate for the Fire’s head coach vacancy in 2009, before the job eventually went to Carlos de los Cobos. We don’t need reminding how that turned out.

Two years later, Marsch’s appointment as Head Coach of the Impact will have Fire fans scratching their heads – and right so. With Frank Klopas only planning on remaining as interim head coach until the end of the season, Chicago needs a new, talented coach to come in and improve the club ahead of the 2012 season. Marsch could’ve been a good fit as he enjoyed a successful tenure with the US National Team and he has what it takes to experience that same success in the MLS. Unfortunately, Chicago’s head coach next year is still a mystery and looks set to remain that way for a while.

USA vs. Mexico

Lastly, Jurgen Klinsmann made his coaching debut for the U.S. Men’s National team tonight as the USA came back from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw against Mexico. The USA was heavily outplayed in the first half and failed to even register a single shot on target as Oribe Peralta’s fine flick past Tim Howard gave the Mexicans the lead. The phrase ‘soccer is a game of two halves’ was certainly exhibited, however, as the USA turned the match around with an impressive second half. Substitute Break Shea provided the breakthrough for the home side, muscling past his defender to send a low cross into the path of Robbie Rogers – also a substitute – to tap into the net with ease. Mexico survived two penalty scares in the second half and also managed to avoid going down a man for taking down Rogers when he was through on goal. Overall, not a bad first match for Klinsmann and judging by the second half, the future should get even better for the USA.

Follow @ChicagoFireBlog on Twitter for more updates. 

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July 12, 2011 · 7:58 am

Kings of the cup: A flashback and why US Open Cup QF vs. NYRB is so important

Take a walk down memory lane for one moment. Think back to August 23rd, 2000, a time that feels like ages ago. Some of you may not have even been Chicago Fire supporters yet, while others may not have even been a fan of the wonderful sport of soccer. Whichever category you fall into, it’s irrelevant, as we can all do with a modest reminder of the importance of that day in our club’s history.

Playing in the unfamiliar Titan Stadium in Fullerton, CA, a stadium with a capacity of just 10,000, the Chicago Fire took on the Los Angeles Galaxy in the US Open Cup semi-finals in hopes of reaching its second final in three years. After a goalless 79 minutes, Cobi Jones – one of the faces of American soccer at that time – popped up to break the deadlock for the Galaxy and put them on the brink of a place in the final of US soccer’s oldest club tournament.

Thirty minutes prior to the goal, current US Men’s National Team captain Carlos Bocanegra, a rookie out of UCLA that year, received his marching orders for a minor incident which eventually involved nearly all 22 players on the field taking part in a large tussle which demonstrated the importance of that match. For a half hour the Fire battled with ten men to maintain any chance of reaching the final. That in itself was impressive, but there was more to come.

In the 85th minute, another Fire legend, Peter Nowak, controlled the ball deep in midfield and while running horizontal to the goal somehow managed to cut open LA’s defense with an absolutely delightful pass to find Ante Razov’s run (another Fire legend). The Croatian made little mistake from eight yards out, silencing the California crowd and sending the match to a Golden Goal and thus setting the stage for an incredible finale to an already unforgettable US Open Cup semi-final.

In the second half of extra-time, the Fire’s attempt to maintain a bit of possession in the midfield turned into the team stringing pass after pass together before the ball eventually arrived to DaMarcus Beasely inside the Galaxy box. His first-time shot was saved, but thankfully, Josh Wolff was first on the scene and his simple tap in sealed the match for the Fire. Cue euphoric scenes for Fire players and coaches. Even Dennis Hamlett looked too excited to even know what to do with himself.

So why is this match so important to the Chicago Fire? First of all, the Fire would go on to defeat the Miami Fusion 2-1 at Soldier Field in the final in what was a highly successful season for the club. Tonight, almost 11 years later, the Fire host the New York Red Bulls, presumably a weakened side, in a US Open Cup quarter-final at Toyota Park with memories of wins like that still vivid, yet slowly, gradually fading, in many of our minds. The Fire have won the US Open Cup more times than any other MLS club with four triumphs to date, but haven’t tasted success in the cup, or any cup for that matter, since 2006.

If there’s any better time to bring back some silverware to this club, it’s now. In the midst of a frustrating season in the MLS, the US Open Cup is the perfect platform to achieve success and remind everyone associated with the club, from its players and coaches to the supporters and the rest of the league, what the Chicago Fire are all about. For starters, we are kings of the cup. Now let’s prove it like we did in that memorable cup run in 2000… and before that in 1998… and then in 2003… and again in 2006.

Highlights of the Chicago Fire’s 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2000 US Open Cup Semi-Final:

(via officialfiresoccer)

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June 10, 2011 · 8:29 pm

Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire Post Match Analysis

All of the talk prior to Thursday’s match centered around Sporting Kansas City’s new stadium, but after 90 frustrating minutes the only thing on the Fire’s minds was yet another match without a win. It’s been 75 days and 11 matches since the Fire finished a match on top. Despite coming close to breaking that streak on several occasions the Fire never really looked like earning all three points at LIVESTRONG Park.

Talking points:

Offensive inefficiencies – It’s not the first time this season the Fire have failed to find their offensive rhythm and at it won’t be the last. Christian Nazarit tested KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen with a fine header in the first half, but otherwise saw very little of the ball and looked more and more tired as the match progressed. Gaston Puerari worked his socks off once again but was ultimately inefficient on the attacking side of things while Diego Chaves, who had been dropped to bench for a well earned rest, entered the fray in the second half but never looked like getting anything going. Dominic Oduro was the most threatening for the Fire, using his speed to create several opportunities while forcing Nielsen into several saves before the Danish ‘keeper received his marching orders for handling outside the penalty box.

Sega – One major bright side from the Fire’s past two draws is the form of Gonzalo Segares. Apart from an early misjudged header in his own box early in the first half, the Fire’s first choice left-back was in fine form and proved difficult for KC to get past. Yamith Cuesta and Cory Gibbs also looked solid on Thursday. Note: Segares wore a black armband to honor the death of his girlfriend’s mother.

PaldadiniXI – After all the calls for Daniel Paladini to start for the Fire, the former NASL midfielder has started and impressed in back-to-back matches. He looks intent to shoot from outside whenever he can and who can blame him. His powerful drive in the first half looked goal bound only for a vital deflection to interfere while his long range effort in the second half was spilled by Eric Kronberg, allowing substitute Orr Barouch to come inches away from giving the Fire the lead.

Penalty drama – Following Barouch’s effort that cannoned off the cross bar, Omar Bravo found himself with possession in the Fire penalty box only for Bratislav Ristic to interfere with a stalwart challenge that grounded the former Mexican forward. The disapproval of LIVESTRONG Park was clearly evident as referee Michael Kennedy opted against giving KC what initially appeared like a clear penalty. Upon review, however, it appears Kennedy was spot on (no pun intended) in his decision not to award the home side a penalty kick. His decision is still up for debate, but Ristic looks to have just gotten enough of the ball to fairly thwart Bravo.

What rivalry? – A lot of the talk heard from Kansas City this season has not been about their new stadium, but instead about this new rivalry with the Chicago Fire. As for the Fire, the club has never considered KC to be a rival and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Rivalries aren’t made overnight, they are built over time and Thursday’s match did little in devel

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June 8, 2011 · 9:11 pm

Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire: Five things to watch for

LIVESTRONG Sporting Park

For the second time this season the Chicago Fire will take part in the curtain rise of the league’s newest stadium: LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. The Fire opened JELD-WEN Field against the Portland Timbers in April and now make the trip to Sporting Kansas City for the Kansas club’s first home match of the season. The Fire will be hoping for a better result than the one in Portland, however, where they suffered a disappointing 4-2 loss. And on the back of a 10 match winless streak, the Fire desperately need a win. The team’s sole victory of the season arrived all the way back on March 26th, against none other than Sporting Kansas.

Form guide:

Chicago Fire: D-D-L-D-D

Sporting Kansas: L-L-L-T-T

Five things to watch for:

1)    Confidence at a low: With just six points from 10 matches this season, Sporting Kansas City have the worst record in the league and consequently sit in 9th place in the Eastern Conference. The Fire aren’t too much better off. One win from 12 has the Fire sitting in eighth place, just four points ahead of Sporting. A win for either side could inspire a good run of results, but a loss could see either club’s downward spiral worsen.

2)     Home Fortress? – as the Fire learned in Portland, visiting a club for its first home match in a new stadium can be intimidating. Granted the Timbers were playing their first ever MLS home match, the supporters tend to be aroused for these type of matches and Sporting Kansas fans shouldn’t be any different. After all, two and a half months into the season and they have yet to seen their team play at home. Will the Fire be able to cope with a fervent atmosphere this time?

3)    Sean Johnson – Back in the starting line-up and back to his best. Johnson has impressed in each of the Fire’s last two matches, particularly in the 0-0 draw with Seattle last weekend. The young ‘keeper made several clutch saves to thwart the Sounders’ attack and earned his first clean sheet of the season, as well as anomination for MLS Save of the Week. Can he continue his revival on Thursday?

4)    Daniel Paladini – Paladini’s performance against Seattle was his best in a Fire uniform, and quite possibly, his best performance in the MLS. The Fire’s #11 constantly looked dangerous going forward and was unlucky not to score his first goal for the club. The Fire could really use another inspired performance from him on Thursday night.

5)    Rest Up – Amidst such a busy schedule, Klopas is likely to rest several players against Sporting. This could provide a chance for a number of players to receive some much needed playing time and prove their worth. Looking at you Baggio Husidic.

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June 7, 2011 · 7:06 pm

Time to Turn the Season Around

It hasn’t been a season to remember for the Fire, at least so far. But Carlos de los Cobos’ sacking and the appointment of Frank Klopas as head coach for the immediate future has given the Fire renewed hope. And why shouldn’t it?

Despite sitting second to bottom in the Eastern Conference standings, the Fire haven’t necessarily been playing bad this season. They had their defensive mishaps to start the season, but that can be expected when an almost entirely new backline is formed. They have yet to fully click in midfield, but injuries and CLDC’s inability to find a consistent central midfield pairing and efficient formation can take a lot of the blame for that. The goals certainly haven’t been flowing, but did anyone really expect them to with a completely new and strike force largely inexperienced in the MLS?

The Fire may not have got the win on Saturday against the Sounders, but they showed me enough to believe that the team can turn their season around. For starters, in Palidini the Fire looked like they unearthed a gem, when really he has been waiting patiently in the ranks all year. Skilled on the ball and commanding going forward, Palidini played like an experienced MLS midfielder when he was actually only making his fourteenth ever appearance in the league.

Had it not been for Kasey Keller’s heroics, Palidini would have been celebrating a stunning goal and quite possibly the match winner. Along with Corben Bone, or possibly Baggio Husidic, the Fire have several midfielders capable of providing the urgency that the Fire have been lacking in the final third.

Needless to say, every Fire supporter will have hoped for a much better first two and a half months of the season, but with Klopas in charge now and the team beginning to click, every Fire supporter should be confident of seeing the team slowly rise up the table. And why shouldn’t they?

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