THOUGHTS ON THE FIRE: Bastian Schweinsteiger in the back was almost a necessity with Jonathan Campbell still injured and Grant Lillard coming back from injury. Either could partner with Johan Kappelhof when they return, but against a tough Columbus squad, Schweinsteiger played center back in a 3-4-1-2.
What followed was yeoman’s work by Schweinsteiger as a sweeper and the Fire got a rather ugly 1-0 win over the Crew. The Fire generated few chances throughout the match and only got their goal through an error by Zack Steffen.
Of course, Schweinsteiger as center back is not, and should not, be a long term option for the Fire. They do need to get Lillard or Campbell to partner with Kappelhof and have two of Brandon Vincent, Rafael Ramos, and Kevin Ellis on the wings.
It will be a tough next couple of months with the Fire resembling a M*A*S*H Unit with injuries to numerous key players such as Michael de Leeuw, Djordje Mihailovic, Matt Polster, and Luis Solignac. While they come back and while the Fire try to add depth for the summer transfer window, it will be next man up and perhaps it will be required to win as ugly as they did against Columbus to remain in the playoff hunt until the summer.
CONTACT WITH CASILLAS?: Sources are reporting that current Porto and former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is interested in joining the Fire over the summer. Casillas, 36, won five La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League crowns in his time with Real Madrid and started for Spain during their runs to the 2008 UEFA European Championship, 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship. He made his 1,000th career professional appearance in Porto’s 2-0 loss to Belenenses last Monday.
Casillas would be a major upgrade in goal for the Fire. Yes, Sanchez got a clean sheet on Saturday and one of his ventures far off his line was successful against Federico Higuain. However, a keeper with the resume that Casillas has would be hard to pass up were he to become available after his time at Porto is up much like it was hard to pass up the chance to sign Schweinsteiger last season.
