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 The Fire XI
Coming off a difficult loss against Kansas City, the team looks to stay the course in the starting lineup. Early predictions have Brandon Pridueax ahead of Dasan Robinson at right back, but considering his absence from the injury report, and Conde's return to the lineup, a backline of Segares-Soumare-Conde-Robinson is not out of the question. Logan Pause has done nothing to lose his space at defensive midfield. Short of the sudden signing of Lider Marmol pushing Conde out of the backline, he should be shoring up the back of the midfield. In the middle, the standard Mapp-Blanco-Rolfe lineup could return, with Chris Rolfe making a welcome start on the right wing. Thorrington and King have done well in his absence, but Rolfe's place on the right would be assured unless Hamlett determines he could be best used up top in place of Barrett. Mapp is skating on thin ice with some fans, and many expect a performance out of the talented left-mid this Saturday.
The Opposition Colorado has done plenty to overhaul its maligned attack this offseason. The addition of Cristian Gomez gives them a aggressive playmaker in the midfield to complement Pablo Mastroeni while Cooke and Clarke are sure to challenge the Fire on the wings. Jose Burciaga Jr. and Facundo Erpen make up an improved backline in front of keeper Bouna Coundoul. The Rapids shouldn't be giving the Fire any favors in the defensive third, and the midfield is certainly going to be challenged in a game we see playing out very similar to the San Jose match. Injury Report CJ Brown is still sideined with his hip injury while Chris Rolfe is listed as Questionable (but hopeful?) with a right ankle sprain. On the Rapids' side of the ledger, Conor Casey and Nick DiRaimando are out with knee and ankle injuries, respectively. Prediction Until seen otherwise, the Fire's midfield, espcecially the wings, don't have enough to take the kind of posession needed to control this game. Chicago will once again have to rely on its defense to bail them out and hope for enough chances to get them through. Fire 1 - 0 Colorado Frankowski '70
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