chifireeyedboy-blog - Tumblr blog

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

The worst looks in @MLS

This weekend, I watched the Timbers v Sounders match on ESPN and couldn't help but notice the contrast between Freddy Montero's rattail and his "rave" green jersey, and I thought to myself, "there are some REALLY bad looks in MLS." Here are my top 5.

5. Fabian Espindola. Look at that hair! It's gotta feel like Vietnam on that head ... a real jungle. 

4. David Feirrera. Why? Just Why? The pacifier?! It looks so dumb, and really epitomizes the immaturity of an 18 year old.

3. Ryan Cochrane. I mean I love the mustache, but I also hate it. He reminds me of the cop that drinks piss in "Dumb & Dumber."

2. Fredy Montero. The rattail; you'll have to look closely in this picture to see it, but if you were watching the game, you definitely saw it. 

1. Rajko Lekic. The trampstamp of his own name; in case if he forgets, he just needs someone to look at his back for him. 

So there you have it, some really bad sights in MLS. If I've missed anything good, please let me know.

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

Former Fire defender CJ Brown, a legend, autographs for a fan.

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

Myself and Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares!!

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

Celebration of Pappa's goal against NYRB

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

Corners STILL a problem for @ChicagoFire, but we're getting there.

Baggio Husidic seemed to be the designated corner kick taker. Which that, in itself, was a positive. I don't remember there being a consistent corner kick taker before this game. His first few kicks seemed well off, but he got better with each one. And then, this happened:

http://www.mlssoccer.com/videos?catid=114&id=16001

It was heart breaking for sure, but a step in right direction. When the Fire can complete one of these, we'll have another weapon in the box, and the wins will more easily fall into place.

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

the Revolution have been blanked seven times and have the lowest goal total (11) in MLS.

Frank Dell'Apa, Boston.com

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

Corner kicks with no results still a problem for the @ChicagoFire

0 is the number of goals the Chicago Fire have scored as a result of corner kicks in 2011.

This problem was most evident in the Fire's first match against the Portland Timbers. The Fire were awarded over a dozen penalty kicks in a devastating match, and failed to make anything come to fruition from these opportunities.

To this point, in 14 matches, no goal has been scored from a corner kick. 

One problem: I have not seen a consistent set piece taker. Sometimes it's Pappa, sometimes Puerari, but it's never consistent. We need someone who can pin the ball on a Fire player and create more scoring opportunities. We may not have or need a Beckham, but some of the corner kicks have been horrendous. 

Marco Pappa has proven to be a great free kick taker, as he recently scored a great goal on a free kick, but I'm not convinced on his corners. 

Who should be the one to take corner kicks? Daniel Paladini. He has proven to have great precision with the ball, and will be better able to pin the ball on a sizable striker like Nazarit or Barrouch, to put the ball in the net. 

A recent stat from @OptaJack: "57% - @RealSaltLake has conceded a higher percentage of goals from set plays than any other team in MLS. Undone."

I think this is a prime opportunity to take advantage of that. The Fire must focus on improving their ability to create chances from corner kicks.

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

“I just tried to come in and give energy,”

Orr Barouch said, on the last Chicago Fire game against Toronto FC. I hate being a gloater, but I love being right. Before the game on Saturday, I tweeted my prediction that we'd see magic from a player who hadn't scored yet, and we did. We basically saw magic from two players who hadn't scored. Barouch equalized on a well timed cross from Corben Bone, who also had a breakout performance. My next prediction: it's only a matter of time before Bone also drops one in the back of net. 

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

"He (Yamith Cuesta) was a wonderful young man. He worked so hard, but I just don't think he was the right fit for what we were looking for."

Robin Fraser, when parting ways with Yamith Cuesta.

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

He played in 11 games on a backline that only allowed 11 goals during his first MLS season.

Wikipedia page on new Chicago Fire defender Yamith Cuesta. Keep in mind, this was with Chivas USA. 

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

@ChicagoFire's Marco Pappa has made a dribble every 16 mins & 22 secs in #MLS this term; more frequent than any other player. Mazy.

@OptaJack

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

The Case for @Ba99io Husidic

He was the 3rd leading goal scorer last year with 5 goals, trailing only Marco Pappa and Brian McBride. Baggio Husidic is 6'1" and a generation adidas player, along with Sean Johnson. And yet, he has yet to start a match in 2011.

Height on the team has been a concern to me since Thursday, when the Chicago Fire were awarded over a dozen corner kicks against the Portland Timbers and failed to produce anything on any of them. We need another experienced player who can get in there with his height and take advantage of those set pieces. As Husidic is one of the veteran members of the team, I believe he can be that person. Additionally, keep in mind, he did score in the home victory against the Houston Dynamo last year. It may mean nothing, but confidence is everything.

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

“He played out of his mind"

Chicago Fire defender Corey Gibbs on Kasey Keller.

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

Keller vs. Johnson: A Tale of Two Keepers

It's one goalkeeper's last time starting a season as goalkeeper and another's first time starting an MLS season as goalkeeper. On Saturday night, they'll be at opposite ends of the field. Kasey Keller, 41, will defend the goal of his home turf while Sean Johnson, 21, will look to help the Chicago Fire earn their first win against the Seattle Sounders. It'll be a battle of experience at Qwest field, that is no question. Keller has 20 years on Johnson. In that time he has had stints in the English Premier League and the Bundesliga. It's his 5th MLS game of this season and his third year with the Seattle Sounders. What leverage does Johnson have over Keller? Two inches of height and a recent extra-credit training in Bob Bradleys national team camp. In this camp, Johnson took lessons from all-star goalkeepers such as Nick Rimando and Matt Pickens. While Johnson seems to be the antithesis of Keller, he may just have what it takes to keep the Sounders' winless streak going. 

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

RSL and the Status of Soccer in America

If you care about Major League Soccer, or the status of soccer in America, you should watch and support Real Salt Lake in the second leg of tonight's CONCACAF semifinal. If you don't have FSC, you can watch it on the CONCACAF website.

[chifireeyedboy-blog]

Gaston the Butcher.

In a team building exercise, Gaston Puerari revealed that he was a butcher back in Uruguay.

So far, it looks like he has held on to that title in Major League Soccer.

In the Chicago Fire's first MLS match of 2011 against FC Dallas, Gaston created many chances for himself. One of which started with a bad back-pass to Brek Shea and Gaston immediately took advantage of a loose ball. Shea raced after him and accidentally took him down; he was cut away with a red-card in the 55th minute. Another opportunity created by Puerari left him and Marco Pappa in a 2 v 1 position for a goal; Gaston shot, and Dallas' keeper Kevin Hartman saved the effort.

In the second MLS match of 2011, a long ball to Gaston was well-handled and he created a run for himself which almost led a 1 v 1 chance for a goal. That chance was abbreviated by Sporting Kansas City's DP Omar Bravo. Bravo was red-carded for his challenge in the 30th minute. The match changed as the meat of SKC was cut away by Gaston. The Chicago Fire were awarded a PK, which Diego Chaves had no problem sinking in the back of the net. In the second half, Gaston again cut through the defense to create his change. He comfortable shot the ball into the far post, and scored the Fire's second goal.

The Lamar Hunt US Open cup began again on Wednesday, and Gaston orchestrated his own attack against the Colorado Rapids. He jutted his hand out for the ball to be placed to him just out side of the box. The ball was put in proper position, and he sliced through the defense, allowing himself to slot the ball into the goal and score the first goal of the match. The Chicago Fire comfortably finished the first half 1-0. The aforementioned  Jalil Anibaba scored later in the game, allowing for a 2-1 win for the Chicago Fire over the Colorado Rapids.

And so, in 3 matches, our Gaston has shown his ability to sever the defense. And thus, at least for now, he deserves the title of the Butcher.