The Fire are back in the playoffs after missing out since 2009. I know I said I would write some thoughts more frequently but other things in life have taken priority. Well lets see where I left off, the Fire travelled to SKC and lost, then came home and was just outplayed by a Philly team that had nothing to lose, and then travelled to New Jersey and beat the Red Cows 2-0 with a brace from Macdonald. I will get into the remaining schedule of 2 games in a little bit but I first want to discuss my thoughts of those past 3 games.
These past 3 games to me showed that you don't know what you are going to get from this team. Against SKC, whose tactics of applying high pressure on the midfield and defense, the Fire looked flat and not able to move the ball as well as they did against Columbus and Montreal in the previous 2 games. Frank Klopas had no answer to what SKC was doing and the entire night was filled with Fire turnover after Fire turnover. The same can almost be said about the Philly game also, where there was just nothing positive about the game. Philly took the game to us and we couldn't respond. But on the other hand against New Jersey we looked good and was able to break down their defense and get the much needed win. One thing that has started to bug the hell out me is the fact that Frank insists on playing goal kicks short. Well when a team is playing a high pressure system against us this just does not work. I understand that it spreads the field out but at the same time(look at the SKC and Philly games) the Fire loses possession because they can't get it out of the back. They have got to start just punting it long. Its almost like team that play short corners, why? There is no point to it, you are given an offensive opportunity and you don't take it. Well goal kicks are like a opportunity to get the ball out of your end and regroup so why not take it? Yes I understand the tactical advantages of playing it short to maintain possession and possibly have a string of passes that can lead to an attacking play, but with this team most of the time the ball stays with the back line until they feel pressure and have to boot the ball up field anyway. Why not use Fernandez and Macdonald's height to win balls in the air? It could work but we will have to see if Frank changes at all. Well that's my rant about that.
On to the remaining games of the regular season. First the "Men in Red" travel to the northeast to take on the lowly Revolution. This is a must win game for the Fire but it won't be easy. I can see the Fire dominating the midfield and having the better attacking chances but the defense will have their hands full with Sene and Bengston. I still see the Fire taking this one 2-0 with goals from Rolfe and Nyarko. A week later the Fire come home to close out the regular season against DC Who-nited. This is another must win game to secure a higher post season seed. Lets just say that if the Fire finish the season strong and win the remaining games then they will be sitting pretty in either 1st or 2nd place in the east. In order for the Fire to claim that #1 spot they will need help from NJ this weekend as they play SKC and Philly next Wednesday when SKC closes out their season before the rest of the league. We will have to wait and see what happens but up first the Revs.
