The Fire have been having some success in their 4-2-3-1, but John Thorrington's injury concerns may cause Coach Hamlett to make some changes to both the lineup and formation this week against the Dynamo. According to Luis Arroyave of the Tribune, Thorrington is listed as OUT, although Friday's team notes have left him mysteriously off the injury report. Assuming the worst, the Fire will need someone to step in alongside Logan Pause in the defensive midfield and step up into the attack. Ladies and mostly gentlemen, this week's Wilman Conde Watch (tm) is officially on, accompanied by the equally mysterious Lider Marmol Watch (also tm).
Lider was last seen in Canada or Mexico to complete his visa, but the appearance of either defender would certainly make up for any changes made in the backline. The potential return of Frankowski to the lineup gives the team a lot of flexibility up and down the roster. It's a good guess that the Fire will run with 2 strikers with Tomasz back in the starting 11, keeping the chemisty between Rolfe and Barrett while leaving a lone defensive mid in the backfield.
Irish Steve and Flanagan analyze why the Fire have started out so hot, and explain the importance of Chad Barrett to that success.
You know it’s neither the beer nor the whiskey, nor the fact you decided to start standing in 117 instead of 118, so why are you finding it hard to recognize the Fire this season? Two words: Denis Hamlet.
After ten years of standing in the bench’s background, Hamlet is already proving he was the right choice to replace that short guy with the notepad who left for New Jersey, or wherever. However, this isn’t just an article about our manager. This is for all of us who have and haven’t been paying attention to exactly how Hamlet’s strategic and motivational tactics are solidifying us as a team to be feared.
It's time to let the entire league know how much we support our Chicago Fire, but more importantly, the All-Star Game lets us tell the players just how great we think they are! 2008 has been a great season thus far for the Fire, and it's up to us to keep that momentum going all the way to BMO Field in Toronto.
The Fire will be playing in Peoria, Illinois against either Real Salt Lake or Columbus Crew on Tuesday June 10th at Bradley University's Shea Stadium.
It's a home game for the Fire that will decide who will advance to the last sixteen of the U.S. Open Cup, but it's being played 157 miles from the Fire's home ground, Toyota Park. Backdraft talked to the Fire about the selection of Peoria as host for the game.
Posted by: Marty Groark in Untagged on
May 11, 2008
Many people thought that Thursday's match between the Fire and D.C. United would be a physical, even sided match that would be played hard until the final minute, and only then would a victor emerge. Those people would have been right in only one aspect, it was a physical night. It was at times more reminiscent of a martial arts cage match than a soccer game, but the entire night belonged to Chicago. From the first minute, Chicago's entire team came to play, and despite a few lucky shots by D.C., Chicago was easily able to control the flow of the game. The defense commanded respect by consistently removing any ball that seemed to find it's way into Chicago's defensive third. The terrier like aggressiveness of Diego Gutierrez and Gonzalo Segares were able to easily stop any incoming runs by the United strikers, complemented by the sheer strength and size of Bakary Soumare.
We have to think that Denis Hamlett is sticking to his guns for this trip to RFK Stadium. The Fire have a shortened week coming off their victory at New England, and there may have been little opportunity for players to earn starting roles with limited practice. Generally, this is a good problem to have: a formidable side starting to gel with plenty of talent on the bench fighting for playing time. Suffice to say, anyone cracking the lineup Thursday night will have definitely earned it.
The Backdraft contributors resumed their weekly attempt to get inside the heads of the Chicago Fire by putting together some questions for Gonzalo Segares. Most fans love Sega for his hard-nosed defensive play, but his usually stoic demeanor keeps many from knowing what's really on his mind. The defender certainly took our questions in stride, discussing his native Costa Rica, this year's defense, and of course, hot dogs.
Backdraft: Obviously a lot of fans come out to meet the team (Blanco) while on the road, have you had any experience with fellow Costa Ricans coming out to support you when playing away from Chicago?
Segares: Very random, usually the people that come to games that are Costa Ricans are friends that are visiting or that we are on the road and they come to the game. There's one guy in Salt Lake that comes with a Costa Rica flag, and I know he comes to see Andy and me. But other than that, the only time I saw Costa Rican flags was when Wanchope played here and some Costa Ricans came to see him and support him.
A successful trip to Gilette Stadium puts the Chicago Fire near the top of the MLS table as the team continues its domination of bitter rival New England. Backdraft takes a look back at Saturday's 3-0 victory with two different reports.
Marty Groark brings us a brief break down followed by a longer editorial by Backdraft's Michael Giacometti.
After an incredible 4-0 trouncing of the Revolution at home in their first match up this year, many Fire fans thought it might be difficult to repeat such a dominatant performance when the Fire traveled to New England for their game on Saturday, but Chicago was able to execute just that with another big win against a struggling conference rival. The Fire were able to follow up their previous goalscoring clinic in April with 3 more against the Revolution on a chilly night at Gilette stadium.
The rivalry Fire fans hold most dear continues this Saturday when Chicago heads to Gillette Stadium to face New England for more than just bragging rights. Both teams stand at 10 points, second and third behind League leaders Columbus (12pts), Chicago ahead on goal difference. This Saturday’s match has the potential to send the winning side to the top of the East, and the League.
Backdraft is written by Fire supporters for Fire supporters. Thanks to access provided by Section 8 Chicago, Backdraft is able to provide an original stream of news, interviews and views on the Chicago Fire soccer club.
If you're interested in contributing to Backdraft, please email communications at section8chicago.com
The Fire will be playing in Peoria, Illinois against either Real Salt Lake or Columbus Crew on Tuesday June 10th at Bradley University's Shea Stadium.
The Fire XI
The Backdraft contributors resumed their weekly attempt to get inside the heads of the Chicago Fire by putting together some questions for Gonzalo Segares. Most fans love Sega for his hard-nosed defensive play, but his usually stoic demeanor keeps many from knowing what's really on his mind. The defender certainly took our questions in stride, discussing his native Costa Rica, this year's defense, and of course, hot dogs. 
