Chicago Fire will face their first big road test since Week 1 of the MLS season when they travel to Sporting Park on Sunday to face Sporting Kansas City. It’s a crucial fixture for the team as they look to build more momentum after gaining three points against New York City FC, their third consecutive win. Sporting KC are coming off a 4-4 draw at Houston. Here are the things to watch for leading up to the kickoff for Chicago:
-Will the Fire try to possess the ball, or bunker and counter?
In every game besides their opener at Los Angeles, Chicago has looked good in possession. In recent years, a trip to Kansas has meant parking a bus in front of Sean Johnson, starting three defensive midfielders, and beginning to pray.
With Matt Watson suspended this weekend, Frank Yallop will have a big decision to make about who starts next to Matt Polster. If he chooses Razvan Cocis or Victor Perez, expect Chicago to try to keep the ball. If Chris Ritter gets the nod, it could be a chippy 90 minutes of counterattacking. It may be tempting for Yallop to start Ritter, and counterattack through David Accam and Kennedy Igboananike. However, it could mean a lack of time on the ball for Harry Shipp and Shaun Maloney if the Fire aren’t careful. Michael Stephens could also factor into Chicago’s central midfield.
-Who will start up top for Chicago?
Guly Do Prado was the starting striker last week against NYCFC when Yallop opted for size over speed, and put in a 66 minute shift before being relieved by Quincy Amarikwa. “Quincy Time” is still the only known quantity up top for the Fire at this point in the season. However, none of the strikers on the team have scored after six matches. It may be Kennedy Igboananike’s turn to get the start up top on Sunday. The Nigerian forward has been chomping at the bit to get playing time. Since he is a DP and neither Quincy nor Guly have scored, it’s only a matter of time before he gets another shot, however there is a sense that time is running out for Igboananike to be looked at as a long term solution at the striker position.
-Three-game streaks collide!
Chicago has won three matches in a row, while Kansas City has gone three without a win. Something has to give for both of these teams and a Sporting victory does not seem unlikely. This will be a big test for the Men in Red. A draw (Oh, the horror!) would be a good result in this one.
-Benny Feilhaber is on a roll and Dom Dwyer is heating up:
Feilhaber is on pace for a career year. He already has two goals and five assists, and he has been a reliable cog in the SKC machine this season. He will give the Fire’s midfield fits if they are not mindful of his positioning at all times. It will be interesting to see who Chicago mark him with, although it seems likely Matt Polster will get the midfield assignment, given his success in shutting down TFC’s Michael Bradley in Week 5. Regardless, Feilhaber and Dom Dwyer will be one of the tougher assignments of the young season for Chicago’s defensive midfield and the rebuilt back line. The Englishman scored last week in Houston and after getting off the schneid, he will be motivated and looking to replicate his past success.
Main Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
