Fire lose; fire Dave?

Unknown on 9:28 PM

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Yesterday, the Fire lost 1-0 to Chivas USA at home. The Fire mustered up three shots, one on target. There was no stage of the game where I felt Chicago had even the slightest idea of how to break down the opposition. I even refrained from posting after the game yesterday, so as not to write something unfathomably bitter.

In the cold light of day, there remain certain mitigating circumstances to report regarding the loss, including the fact the Fire did not have available (and have not had for most of the season) their three international class attackers: Blanco (joins us next month), Mapp (on Gold Cup duty), Rolfe (injured, and apparently out a further 6-8 weeks).

Up front in lieu of those, Chad Barrett was, I’m afraid, miserable. He’s either dropping far too deep to pick up the ball or dribbling it into a wall of defenders. I know he looks a bit like Wayne Rooney, but he’s nowhere near talented or experienced enough to be trying those things. Meanwhile, my view is that Calen Carr really needs to be out on the wings utilising his pace and learning MLS without the pressure of playing up top. Or maybe he should be in the reserves learning his trade, though one can’t blame him for being on the field.

The front office knew we’d be missing Rolfe, Mapp and Blanco for much of the season, though I suppose given the salary cap situation in MLS, it is tricky to procure experienced backups cheaply. And Sarachan of course is not to blame for having unavailable an awful lot of attacking talent. Unfortunately, I think the team looks lost on the field and that’s usually an indication the coach is having internal problems motivating and organising his men. The question is whether he can hang on by his fingernails long enough for the return of Mapp and Rolfe, the arrival of Blanco, and hopefully even the addition of Marcelo Salas soon.

After all, if the Fire doesn’t put a deal together for Salas, and we continue this run of insipid attacking form, the pressure might even move a little higher up the chain than Dave Sarachan. The Fire are averaging one goal per game for the season, and anyone who watched yesterday’s performance might feel even that number is a minor miracle. I don’t know if the Fire should fire Dave Sarachan or not, but I do know they need to reinforce the team to keep us from performances like yesterday being repeated, and to keep the fans sane.

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