Every team's depth gets tested at some point in the season - and, despite a so-so record in the early going, the Fire have been remarkably healthy to this point. That, apparently, ends today, as the Men in Red will start against Columbus without Mike Magee, Gonzalo Segares, Patrick Nyarko or Lovel Palmer.
FIRE @UIHealth Starters vs. #Crew96: Johnson; Kinney, Hurtado, Ianni, Cochrane; Duka, Larentowicz ©, Joya, Shipp; Anangono, Amarikwa #cf97
— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) May 24, 2014
As concerning as all the changes might be, a glance at the Chicago bench reveals just how much young depth the team has piled up, which is fortunate:
FIRE @UIHealth Subs vs. #Crew96: Reynish, Segares, Ward, Pause, Ritter, Watson, Pineda #cf97 #MLS
— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) May 24, 2014
Meanwhile, the Crew - still so f--king yellow! - will start with a completely re-jiggered back line that doesn't include standout centerback Michael Parkhurst:
#Crew96 Starting XI vs. #cf97: Clark; Jimenez, Gehrig, Wahl, Barson; Finlay, Trapp ©, Tchani, Meram; Higuaín, Arrieta.
— Columbus Crew (@ColumbusCrew) May 24, 2014
... which means their bench is absolutely loaded, as it includes usual starters Parkhurst, Dominic Oduro, and Bernardo Anor, as well as former #cf97 stalwart Danny Paladini.
It's almost time for kickoff! As usual, complain or exult here in comments; we provide the electrons, you provide the viscera. DALÉ FIRE!