Lovel Palmer is helpless as Chicago Fire go one down
Chicago Fire go south in the Pacific yet again
by Dan Gaichas, windycitysoccer.com
Chicago Fire’s record on the West Coast continues to be a statistical embarrassment. After last night’s tepid 2-0 loss to reigning MLS Champions LA Galaxy, they have won just one game in their last 18 on the left coast with 14 losses and three draws.
For the third straight year, the Chicago Fire open the season at the StubHub Center and come away with a loss. This time, goals by Jose Villarreal and Robbie Keane gave the defending champion LA Galaxy a 2-0 win to open Major League Soccer’s 20th season.
LA had all of the chances in the first half. Gyasi Zardes came close twice, but could not get on the end of crosses in front of goal. Jose Villarreal had a free kick saved by Sean Johnson in the ninth minute and Robbie Keane had a huge chance saved in the 44th.
The Fire attack finally got going in the second half, but actual shots on goal were still lacking. The defense, which had shown resolved for the first 65 minutes cracked after Jeff Larentowicz miskicked on a clearing attempt of a cross by Stefan Ishizaki and Villarreal was there to pounce for the opening score.
Robbie Keane ultimately doubled the lead nine minutes from time as he was left unmarked to shoot after a flick-on header from Baggio Husidic in the area.
The Fire ho had just one shot on goal the entire evening, have their home opener a week from Saturday (March 14th) against Vancouver Whitecaps at 5pm. The match will be televised on Comcast SportsNet in Chicagoland and Time Warner Cable SportsChannel in Wisconsin.
