The Chicago Fire look to claw their way up off the bottom of the table when they take on the seventh place New York Red Bulls tomorrow April 6th at Toyota Park.
They Men in Red had the week off last week to rest up their injured players and try to figure out what has been going wrong so far this season. The time off has truly come as a gift to the Fire as they will see the return of many key players. Logan Pause will be back on the pitch for Chicago. “I’ve strung along, for about a week now, some really good days with my health. Hopefully I’m on the other side of it. I think I’ll be available, ready to go on Sunday,” he told the Fire a few days ago. This game may also mark the return of defensive leader Arne Friedrich. He recently returned from Germany where he was receiving treatment from a therapist who he has been working with for over 10 years. When asked about the treatment on the training pitch Arne said, “We have very good therapists here with the Fire but this guy knows my body best, he did a great job, my body feels great and I don’t have any pain so far.”
Along with the many returning players, Chicago will look to draw on past success against New York at home as the Red Bulls have never won a game at Toyota Park. Assistant Coach Mike Matkovich says, “There are certain teams you feel like you’ve got a way with” referring to Sporting KC, “and I feel like New York is another one of these teams that we do well against.”
Chicago has been lackluster defensively in the last several games and the Red Bulls are a dynamic team playing forward. Chicago will have to play tight defensively and rely on the space that will open up in the New York defense in order to posture for goals on the counter attack. When asked about taking on football legend Thierry Henry, Chicago Midfielder Logan Pause said, “His resume speaks for itself. He’s a guy that you really have to keep your eye on at all times, he doesn’t need many chances to score.” He went on to say that Chicago needs to work hard to eliminate his touches and confine him to less dangerous parts of the field.
New York are coming off of their first win of the season and look to carry that momentum into Toyota Park and take their first win away from there. Hopefully Chicago can lean on its returning leaders and put up a strong showing in this game.
My Prediction
NY 3 – 2 Chicago (The third goal coming late for New York)
This prediction makes me sad. Because I think Chicago will hold control of this game for the most part but won’t be able to tally their first win on the season, even with the return of some key players.
Jeff Engelmann
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