Ready... aim...

Not the greatest game, especially considering how poor Chicago have been lately, but definitely some silver lining in the clean sheet and the defense seems to be coming together. Still, same old story of SKC dominating possession and shots, but being unable to turn shots into goals (see previous post).

The trend of teams coming in and playing sloppy matches for a draws worries me a little, and PV and co are going to need to figure it out.

Here's some player ratings for the match. Lots of positives for both teams back lines.

Joint man of the matches to Collin and Zusi, Collin for some great defensive work and a good pass or too, and Zusi for being Zusi. I really hope he likes it in Kansas City, because I've got to think his performances over the last year and the way he's started this season have caught many a scout's eye...

And, while I'm pulling em off my phone, here's some shots from yesterday's game.

Fire sale?

So I've gotta say, I wasn't thrilled with that last match. The big issue being it looks like we're bypassing our best players, namely Graham Zusi and Kei Kamara. I think that was a very winnable game against a conference rival, and while I don't fault the defence for the goal, the offence really needs to find it's feet again.

Here's some player ratings for the match.

Chicago Fire
Sean Johnson	6.8
Austin Berry	6.5
Jalil Anibaba	5.7
Dan Gargan	6.5
Arne Friederich	6.5
Hunter Jumper	3.9
Marco Papa	6.5
Patrick Nyarko	4.7
Logan Pause	5.0
Pavel Pardo	4.7
Rafael Robayo	3.9
Dominic Oduru	4.3
Chris Rolfe	6.5
Sporting Kansas City
Jimmy Nielsen	4.7
Aurelien Collin	4.7
Chance Myers	5.0
Seth Sinovic	4.7
Matt Besler	4.7
Lawrence Olum	3.9
Graham Zusi	6.5
Roger Espinzoa	5.0
Julio Cesar	4.3
Peterson Joseph	3.9
Kei Kamara	3.9
CJ Sapong	4.3
Teal Bunbury	4.3
Soony Saad	3.9

I think it'll be interesting to see what kind of lineup Vermes runs out these next two games. While I think a post season spot is still more or less assured, I'm starting to wonder if the Open Cup will be our best chance at hardware this year...

Anyway, Sean Johnson with man of the match, and I don't think you can deny that. He had two or three big saves that kept Chicago in the game. Zusi had a monster game as well though. Almost got the rare player-on-the-losing-team-was-the-best title.

Don't panic

I had this thought over my lunchbreak today and scribed it on BigSoccer, but I wanted to plaster it here as well. Just to, you know, formalize it.

The more I've thought about this the less concerned I am, despite the consecutive losses. Chance Myers screw up in Portland cost us the game, an awesome strike and a PK cost us against Montreal, and then two minutes of stupidity cost us in Chicago.

The Montreal game was the only one that I thought we looked officially poor in. Portland we looked tired, but that was to be expected. Until going down to 10 men I thought we looked pretty good in Chicago.

I'm still going to be okay with a draw in Colorado. I think I'd even take a home draw to San Jose. That game is going to be the big one though. Two home losses in a row won't be easy to swallow, especially if we lose to Colorado as well...

Essentially, what I'm trying to say is this.

And another thing, you know how eveyrone always does some kind of 'keys to the game' for each team before broadcasts? Which  I find laughable because you can always transpose what one team "needs" to do with the other team's "needs" and no one would ever notice? Well, for SKC in the near future I actually think I have some valid "keys to the game" advice.

Just don't fuck up.

Burn it down again

Well, I don't want to say that the less talked about the better for that game.... but... well, you know.

I actually thought we played better, with a very good stretch at the end of the first half. Then it all fell apart in about two minutes. Dumb mistake by Collin to give away the PK and really needless high elbow from Roger to put us down a man. Both good calls by the ref, I thought.

Anyway, here's some player ratings from last night. Do with them as you see fit.
  

Chicago Fire
Sean Johnson	5.6
Gonzolo Segares	4.7
Dan Gargan	4.7
Austin Berry	5.6
Jalil Anibaba	5.2
Arne Friedrich	4.3
Marco Papa	5.2
Patrick Nyarko	6.9
Sebastian Grazzini	7.4
Logan Pause	4.7
Pavel Pardo	4.3
Dominic Oduro	6.9
Frederico Pupppo	3.8
Sporting KC
Jimmy Nielsen	5.2
Aurelien Collin	4.3
Matt Besler	4.3
Chance Myers	3.8
Michael Harrington	4.7
Lawrence Olum	4.3
Graham Zusi	5.2
Roger Espinzoa	4.7
Bobby Convey	6.9
Jacob Peterson	4.3
Kei Kamara	4.3
CJ Sapong	4.7
Teal Bunbury	4.3

And so Man of the Match goes to the Argentine with the horrific profile picture, Sebastian Grazzini. I thought he played really well, actually. SKC could use a #10 like him.

Convey with a good tame too, good to see him finally get a goal. It was an excellent ball from Espinoza really, who almost had himself an awesome goal as well.

And much love to the traveling Cauldron, you guys looked and soudned awesome out there. Very jealous. Can't wait to get myself to another road game this year. I'm thinking New York or Philly, actually, but that's a discussion for later...