Seattle Sounders FC hits the road this week as it travels east to take on the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. The club is 3-0-2 on the road against the Fire and look to pick up points on the road against the Fire, a team that has struggled all season to find positive results.
To preview the Saturday afternoon fixture, SoundersFC.com spoke with Kevin Egan, Commentator and Analyst for Chicago Fire. Egan also covers the team for ESPN 1000AM and is a host and analyst for 120 Sports.
Dangerman
Mike Magee really is the dangerman as returns to the team. Everyone saw what he did in the 2013 season and the impact he has made in MLS. Injuries have kept him down in the past but he has had surgery and he is making his return.
He started a U.S. Open Cup match recently and was a sub last week. He was a huge part of Chicago’s equalizer against Houston. He made way for Patrick Nyarko who went on to score. Magee is someone Seattle has to keep an eye on. He’s been able to score against the Sounders and he’s someone who is edging towards full fitness. He’s a dangerous player and is a fox in the box.
Magee may not look like an out and out goal scorer, but what he does have is extreme intelligence around the penalty area. I believe he’ll start against Seattle this Saturday.
Looking for a Rebound
When you look at where Chicago is in the standings – dead last in the league – that’s not where Frank Yallop wants his team to be. He’s been very unlucky in terms of injuries this season. He may have just lost his team captain as Jeff Larentowicz could be out for the rest of the season.
Seattle is the start of five games in 14 days for Chicago. With just 15 points in 16 matches, it’s really now or never if they want to turn their season around and pick up points in MLS matches. They are in the USOC quarterfinals and that’s something to look forward to, but they have to keep their defensive shape and keep errors to a minimum to succeed in league play. If they play a bit more ruthlessly, they can really go places.
Favorite Stat of the Season
It sounds odd, but somehow the very bottom team in Major League Soccer has the highest shots on goal average in the league with 15 shots per match. That’s an incredible statistic. There hasn’t been a lack of creating chances, which is reassuring, but it’s a matter of getting things to click.
Defensive Struggles
Yallop made a number of changes in the offseason and it has taken some time for things to start working. Larentowicz even said this is the newest team he’s ever played on. Getting everyone back is key, but as far as creating chances, it’s there for everyone to see. They just have to start putting the ball in the back of the net.
The defense needs to stop giving away simple goals. It’s been a problem in matches where the opposition is able to get down the pitch once or twice in a match and score. The Fire can dominate possession, create more shots on goal, but the defense has to be strong in order for them to win matches.
Final Thoughts on CHIvSEA
Sean Johnson has been great since returning from injury. He’ll be in goal. A major matchup for me would be how the makeshift back line works for the Fire.
Without Adailton and Lartentowicz, whoever pairs up centrally on the back line has to handle the physical nature and athletic ability of Lamar Neagle and Chad Barrett. They like to thrown themselves around a bit and this pair has to deal with that.
I also want to see how Seattle handles the way the Fire stretches the midfield. Mike Magee functions well in that natural No. 10 position. He finds space and is dangerous when his team plays out wide. It’s a cliché to say soccer is won and lost in both boxes, but it’s true. In those areas, I’d look for Chicago Fire to be more defensively solid and open to taking chances with the return of Mike Magee.
