|
|
The 2015 North American tour continues for Toronto FC as stop number four is in the Land of Lincoln facing off against the Chicago Fire. The Reds are coming off another disappointing result, most recently in Salt Lake where they should have stolen a point and earned some more confidence. Chicago however, won their first game last weekend that will go a ways in buoying them ahead of matching up with TFC in a venue where the Reds have yet to win.
Even though the Fire have been a far cry from their status of perennial MLS playoff contenders, back in 2005-2009, they have done their best to also try and retool with impact players over the offseason. While none are of the notoriety of TFC's, they do have some interesting additions that should make it a tough game. Once again, it will come down to defending as there are several factors in play that will require Toronto to put in the full ninety in order to come away with anything. Toyota Park has not been friendly to the Reds, but this might be their best chance to finally get a win in Chicago.
Keep thinking
With the international break over, Toronto will welcome back some key players, even though a few others will still be out of the line up for other reasons. Jozy Altidore lit up USMNT supporters last week with some solid play and goals, while Michael Bradley returns as well to support Benoit Cheyrou and offer more youth into TFC's midfield. Defending is once again a concern with Steve Caldwell and Damian Perquis both doubtful.
In their last game against Real Salt Lake, Toronto did well to stand toe to toe in a venue and against a side that has had their way with the Reds traditionally. Giovinco is beginning to show flashes of what he can offer and at this stage it is simply a matter of keeping him involved for the full ninety minutes for him to display his skills. Even though defending will be an issue against Chicago, as both Nick Hagglund and Clement Simonin are not particularly elite when it comes to locking it down, what they offer at the other end might balance it out. Hagglund is proven as a handful in the 18 yard box on set pieces, and Simonin continues to offer sound distribution and ball control.
It will be easy for TFC supporters to dismiss Chicago based on their recent run of results and last few years struggling to make the playoffs. Even though they have begun the season poorly, they have been without perhaps their brightest addition, David Accam, as well as integral attacker, Mike Magee. To not look deeper at the potential the Fire has would be a mistake, as would it for the Reds to not expect a difficult game at Toyota Park.
Off the hop, Toronto have never won in Chicago, and as it stands have not beaten them since 2010. While a draw would not be seen as a bad result, with the talent available, a win should be the goal unless facing the top sides in the league. That said, there are similarities between these two teams that could effect the result. Both have several new additions that are still finding cohesion to fire on all cylinders. Altidore, Giovinco and Findlay are still looking for a real breakthrough game, while Chicago has not seen the best yet from Shaun Maloney, David Accam and Guly.
Right there, one should be able to list and compare the talent available to both teams and draw a simple conclusion that TFC's talent is better than Chicago's. However, in addition to it being a road game, which always evens things out, what Toronto are now becoming familiar with both this season and last year at Toyota Park is an MLS X-factor: the referee.
The dead horse has been pulverized many times over, but the case can be made that over the last two seasons several results have been determined by atrocious calls by the match day officials. From Luke Moore's straight red to Gilberto's "foul" last year in Chicago, to a suspect red on Justin Morrow and Nick Hagglund's goal called back on a phantom shove, the MLS referees assigned to Toronto have consistently been off the mark in their judgement. Granted, this is a league-wide issue as there are only a few reliable refs, but that does not change the poor calls or outcomes effected.
This unfortunately will need to be considered when weighing the potential result. Toronto should have the edge in the midfield with Bradley and Cheyrou available. Without Magee, Chicago has lost some bite, but Harrison Shipp, despite his youth, is a solid young MLSer who can score. Up top, Toronto should have more skill with Giovinco and Alitdore - or even Dike available, but David Accam, Kennedy Igboananike and Quincy Amerikwa offer something that could punch through. That is the final area where it will come down to - defending - and whether the return of Justin Morrow is enough to hold off the Fire and help Toronto come away with not just a result but hopefully their first win in Chicago.
In the end
Three games in, Toronto is still searching for the kind of performance expected from the talent available to Greg Vanney. Chicago has had a rough start to the season, but with a win under their belt and the return of David Accam, they could begin to show some of the promise their offseason signings warrant. Last season, both games in Chicago arguably should have been TFC wins were it not for poor decisions from the referee. It is frustrating that it must be considered when looking at the potential outcome for this fixture. By all accounts, with the players available, this game should be a TFC win. Bradley and Cheyrou should dictate the midfield, while Giovinco, Altidore or even Dike should cause more problems for Chicago's defence than vice versa. Hagglund and Simonin will be the ones to watch, but if they get support this will be an important win for TFC.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – 1 Chicago Fire
|