Both Fire and Red Stars slump to defeats on the weekend.
FIRE: I mentioned that Saturday’s loss to Toronto FC was ‘The’ typical Fire loss of the last few seasons where the Fire create numerous chances, enough to win a match, but fail to convert enough of them. At the same time, defensive frailties happen and the result is not a win. Indeed, the result is just Inter Miami is keeping the Fire from the foot of the Eastern Conference.
Basically, this is a team that was a built without someone to build around and in the hopes that one of the players they did bring in would eventually be a player to build around. So far, that has not happened and it’s apparent that this team will need to make massive upgrades in its roster to be truly competitive again as whatever momentum was built from back-to-back wins at start of July has vanished with two losses in their last three and three point becoming one last in midweek against DC United.
Owner Joe Mansueto may not believe in high-turnover, but it’s clear that if the Fire are going to be worthy of playing at Soldier Field and be relevant in the city, it needs to make massive upgrades to its on-the-field product and that may mean at least some moderate turnover.
RED STARS: “Own goal” was kept off the scoreboard by the stingiest defense in the NWSL as Gotham FC defeated the Red Stars, 2-1, on Sunday. Allie Long scored juts before halftime and Midge Purce scored from the spot in the 70th minute. The Red Stars got a consolation goal from Makenzy Doniak before the end. The Red Stars also finished with ten women after Bianca St. Georges was sent off for denial of a goal scoring opportunity in second half stoppage time by taking down Brianna Pinto. The Red Stars return home this coming Sunday to take on Washington Spirit for the third time with kickoff at 5pm CT on Paramount+.
HOUSE AC: Chicago House AC played Med City FC to a 1-1 draw on Saturday in Rochester, MN, in their second match in the Independent Cup. Musa Morris got the first goal in House AC’s history. Their next match is next Saturday against Union Dubuque in Iowa at 5pm.
