FIRE: An informal poll was asked fans, true or false, whether Fire head coach Ezra Hendrickson was hamstrung by the roster built by sporting director Georg Heitz. Most of those who did take the poll felt that was true. Last Saturday’s match against Minnesota United as well as the Open Cup tie against Union Omaha exposed that the Homegrowns not named Brian Gutierrez, Mauricio Pineda, and Gaga Slonina have suffered for not getting regular playing time with a Fire reserve side as opposed to simply being loaned out to USL sides.
It also is exposed that stopping Shaqiri, though he certainly didn’t look fully fit on Saturday, will make life simple for opposing defenses. Jairo Torres cannot come soon enough in hopes to be a second attacking option. The first one, Kacper Przybylko suffers from not getting a lot of service. A 4-2-3-1 is most effective in attack if there are three legitimate attacking midfielders with the two wings complimenting the central attacking midfielder. Right now, neither wing is complimenting Shaqiri.
It gets worse because the defense couldn’t sustain their form forever and indeed conceded three goals in 16 minutes after shipping just two in 701 minutes. The more depressing statistics are that the Fire have not scored in league play for 368 minutes and have not scored in open play in a competitive match for 488 minutes. Things need to change starting this coming Saturday against New York Red Bulls Otherwise, like last season, it will be lost by the end of May.
RED STARS: The Chicago Red Stars ended their NWSL Challenge Cup run with a 2-1 loss to Kansas City Current. They finished their run with two wins over Houston Dash, two draw against Racing Louisville, and two losses to the Current. Mal Pugh did not play on Sunday as she was still out with a concussion.
The Red Stars have a rash of injuries with Rachel Hill still out with a hip issue and Kealia Watt with a knee issue. Of course, Tierna Davidson is out for the year with a torn ACL. Additionally, both Casey Krueger and Sarah Woldmoe are on maternity leave.
The Red Stars begin their 10th NWSL season this coming Saturday with their home opener against Racing Louisville at 7pm at SeatGeek Stadium (Paramount+).
The Red Stars did announce a new front-of-jersey sponsor in CIBC. The Canadian bank also becomes the official bank of the Red Stars as it is with Chicago Fire FC.
CHICAGO FIRE II: The news was better for Chicago Fire II as they netted their first shootout win in MLS NEXT Pro. The Fire won 5-4 on spot kicks following a 3-3 draw after 90 minutes over Philadelphia Union II. Chinoso Offor scored twice, including an equalizer a minute into second half stoppage time. Both sides were reduced to ten men with Victor Bezerra sent off for two yellows and Philadelphia’s Jack Jasinski was sent off for a challenge on Missael Rodriguez. Bezerrs scored from the spot in normal time to open the scoring.
Fire II have a bye week before hosting Minnesota United II on May 8th at SeatGeek Stadium.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Red Stars
