PREFACE: Saturday at SeatGeek Stadium saw 13 goals between the two matches staged. The Fire finally ran rampant on an opponent with their attacking upgrades while the Red Stars and Portland Thorns played a classic that a majority of the 12,967 stuck around to see.
THOUGHTS ON THE FIRE: This was the kind of offensive output that Fire fans were hoping for with the upgrades in midfield and attack. Yes, it was against the lowly Rapids, but they had to beat up on somebody, especially the worst defense in MLS.
Nico Gaitan is getting more comfortable in his surroundings. Nemanja Nikolic has scored in his third consecutive match. CJ Sapong conitnues to be a shrewd piece of business for the Fire. And, Aleksandar Katai finally opened his account on the scoring side.
The Fire really needed this win considering that three road matches await them in an NYCFC squad who got a big road win at DC on Sunday, a Montreal team who had their best match in their one and only home match, and LAFC who have won their first five at Banc of California Stadium. One thing they cannot do on this road trip is come up empty-handed in terms of points. Such is a league where a good winning streak goes really far while a long losing streak is like falling off a cliff.
The Fire can win games with their attack which they might need given a defense that could lose points this season.
Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns draw 4-4, April 20, 2019 (Photo by Leslie Smith).
THOUGHTS ON THE RED STARS: It could easily be six points, but it could also be zero points. Instead, it is two points thus far. The Red Stars got a good road point at North Carolina last week, thought they had the lead for a good portion of the match, but could have lost it late, and could have won it late. Last Saturday’s match with Portland was similar apart from the 4-4 score.
The Thorns went ahead early, the Red Stars saw that and doubled it, and then the Thorns re-raised it to 3-2 and then 4-3. Yuki Nagasato’s late strike preserved a point and it nearly became three points after Vanessa DiBernardo struck one off the bar in the fourth minute of stoppage time just as Sam Kerr did late in Cary the previous weekend.
Next up is a home date with Reign FC who has also started with a pair of draws. Not too early to have a pivotal match this season.
Chicago Red Stars
