What a difference three points makes.  Somewhere around 84:30, there was a fair number of Chicago Fire fans ready to torch the entire organization, top to bottom.  Denis Hamlett?  Out by the All-Star break some would whisper while some of us tried to figure out what the roster would look like by the end of the transfer window.  I found myself babbling on more than one occasion that Denis was merely the new Dave Sarachan, bringing the traditional brand of bunkering back to Toyota Park in full force, and it was anyone's guess if a handful of new players would get this team back on track. 

Of course, Mapp to Thorrington in stoppage time changed all of this.  The breaks finally went the Fire's way, and maybe they can build on the momentum, putting together a positive streak leading into the break.

With a lighter schedule on the horizon, there's plenty of room for a run similar to the start of the season.  RSL, KC, and Chivas all lead up to an important trip to New England in early August, and there are plenty of reasons to think that the Fire will be well prepared to repeat their last performance at Gillette Stadium.

First and foremost, time is on their side.  The All-Star break gives the players plenty of time to rest up heading into the home stretch.  Getting Segares, Prixdeaux, and Pause back to match fitness after varying inury bugs should improve a defense that has faltered when not running at 100%.  Bakary Soumare coming back from suspension should also add to the team's depth.  As for the offense, there is plenty of time left in the transfer window to bring in some additional help.  Rumors of Brian McBride continue to dominate the discussion, but eventually a decision will be made and the dominoes will start to fall.  I would be absolutely shocked if the Fire's roster looked exactly the same this time next month.  

At the beginning of the season, two things were agreed to be the strengths of the "new" organization, depth and commitment.  Frank and Denis had been hailed as a great team on and off the field, fully committed to succeeding in their new responsibilities.  Add this to one of the deeper rosters to start a season, and expectations were set very high.  I believe that the depth is still there but the connection between the coaches and the players have gone missing since our trip to the Meadowlands.  Is it the constant transfer rumors?  Is it some sort of clubhouse chemistry issue?  Faulty tactics or just unfortunate outcomes?  I like to think that each problem has sprouted at least once in the last few weeks, and its time the club take the extra time ahead to step back and work on recapturing that early season magic.  

The last time John Thorrington came through in the clutch it was the start of a great and wild ride for the Chicago Fire.  This time around we have plenty of season left to enjoy such a streak.  It's all a matter of putting the pieces back together.  

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2 Comments

Ben July 14, 2008	Even through our disappointing streak, we maintained the best defense in the league. Our team never fell apart like NYRB is doing right now. We never looked like the Fire team that lost to Houston 4-0 last year. We looked more like a good team not trying than a bad team. Things are in fact looking up.
Benjamin Kumming July 14, 2008	The team needed a win going into the break, and hopefully that will help morale. The ability was always there, but something had gone wrong. The hard part was figuring out what. The win gives them room to concentrate on doing exactly as you say, "putting the pieces back together."