Chicago Fire Power Rankings: MLS Round Seven
Goin’ down. (image: usdirect.com)
Each week, OTF aggregates the power rankings and visits with the MLS pundits to see what they say about our confounding Chicago Fire
HIT THE MUSIC!
Aggregate = 17.5/19 ( -0.4 from last week)
Soccer by Ives (16)
“The Fire may have lost to the Dynamo, but their overall performance had to be encouraging to Frank Klopas. Chicago really tested Houston and created chances against their stingy home defense. That is a very positive sign for a team with an attack that came into the season with question marks. Arne Friedrich’s absence continues to be a major obstacle, but the Fire defense has started to play better lately in his absence.”
Not really. Poor defense costed the Fire a point on the road. Pay attention Ives.
ESPN FC (17)
“The Fire looked vastly improved against Houston, with their midfield looking much sharper than in the season’s opening weeks. But it wasn’t enough to prevent a 2-1 loss. At least there’s hope now in the Windy City.”
Improved? Perhaps. Vastly? No way. Another reflection of lowered expectations. Sigh.
Goal.com (17)
“The improvement over the past two weeks bodes well for the Fire. Reinforcements are still required during the summer window, though.”
Reinforcements in the front and back I’m afraid.
Bleacher Report (18)
“The Fire were unable to break Houston’s record unbeaten run at home but they were able to take some positives out of the game. One of those was that they were able to build on their goal-scoring prowess from last week by way of a 29th minute Chris Rolfe strike. Chicago will look to win their second consecutive home game next week when they host Columbus at Toyota Park.”
Scoring one goal (and losing) after scoring three the previous week (and winning) is not building “scoring prowess.” Oh Bleacher Report, why do you even bother?
Soccer America (18)
“Chris Rolfe equalized for Chicago at Houston, but a Jeff Larentowicz header that could have re-tied the game in the 84th minute instead came back off the bar, and the left the Fire still looking for answers.”
I’m just looking for love – in all the wrong places apparently.
Sports Illustrated (18)
“Chicago certainly did not roll over and allow Houston to ease its way to another home victory, but the Fire will be ruing the way they lost. Brad Davis’ free kick soared over everyone in the box, taking a hop and bouncing past a statuesque Sean Johnson in goal for the preventable game-winner. Chicago is definitely playing better, but the final third remains an issue.”
Statuesque, eh? Maybe SJ should be the bobblehead then.
MLSsoccer.com (18)
“They couldn’t pull off the improbable at Houston, but not for lack of effort. The Fire look significantly improved over their March form, and now with Chris Rolfe finding the goal, they have some hope for the coming weeks.”
Hope is where the heart is. Unbreak mine Fire. Un-cry these tears. Say you’ll love me again.
NBC Sports Pro Soccer Talk (18)
“A loss in Houston wouldn’t be so hard on Frank Klopas’ team – everybody loses in Houston. But when piled onto the rest of the misery that has been Chicago’s 2013 season (just four points in five matches, tied for last in the East) it adds critically to the instability around Toyota Park. At least Chris Rolfe broke the seal, smashing in his first goal of 2013.”
I broke the seal too early in the press box the other day. My reward? A chit-chat in the john with the one and only Taylor Twellman!
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Who did we miss? If you know of other weekly MLS power rankings, send ’em our way and we’ll add ’em to the mix.
GOT MY HEAD ON THE GROUND
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