Chicago Fire vs. Seattle Sounders Gamethread - MLS #3

To play or not to play, that is the question for Carlos de los Cobos this afternoon as Cory Gibbs remains a game time decision.  There's a chance, albeit a slight one, that CDLC will go with the 3-5-2 if Gibbs can go.  Gibbs would start in the injured Josip Mikulic's place, Gonzalo Segares would start where Gibbs normally plays, and Davis Paul would start on the left midfield side.  It would be an agressive gamble but I wouldn't rule it out due to Seattle's offensive woes.

That said, I do expect to see a more conservative 4-4-2 with so much uncertainty right now.  Jalil Anibaba will have his hands full trying to take care of Seattle's Steve Zakuani coming down the left wing all day.  He could use the cover of having two full-time CBs, not just Gibbs who himself would be trying out a new role.  My expectation for the starting lineup is Sean Johnson; Jalil Anibaba, Yamith Cuesta, Cory Gibbs, Gonzalo Segares; Patrick Nyarko, Logan Pause, Mike Videira, Marco Pappa; Diego Chaves, Gaston Puerari.  If Gibbs is ruled out, Dasan Robinson is the top candidate to start in his place.

Seattle will of course play with their usual 4-1-3-1-1.  Jeremiah Oshan over at Sounder at Heart projects a starting XI of Kasey Keller; James Riley, Jeff Parke, John Kennedy Hurtado, Leo Gonzalez; Osvaldo Alonso; Erik Friberg, Brad Evans, Steve Zakuani; Mauro Rosales; O'Brian White.