Toronto FC vs. Chicago Fire - MLS #9: Gamethread

The Chicago Fire have arrived safely in Toronto after some minor plane mishaps yesterday.  Kickoff at BMO Field is at 6:00 PM CST.  You can catch all the action on CSN Chicago.  Game thoughts, a new player rumor and your in-game comments are after the break.

Toronto is just not a very good team.  They are probably saying the same about us going into today's game but that doesn't improve the quality of Toronto's roster.  They may have 10 points to the Fire's 7 but Toronto has also played 2 more games than Chicago.  Their two victories came against Portland and Houston (hardly wins to hang your hat on) and they have lost to Vancouver Whitecaps 4-2, DC United 3-0, and Seattle Sounders 3-0.  Overall the club is 1-1-3 in their last 5 games.  The team comes into tonight's game on short rest after losing to FC Dallas 1-0 on Wednesday.  On top of all of that, this will be Toronto's 7th game in 22 days thanks to the frantic schedule of the Canadian Championship.  The first leg of the Canadian Championship is this Wednesday.  Waking the Red's Duncan Fletcher said that Toronto FC might put out a weaker lineup today because the Canadian Championship is more important to the team.  Tonight's game is an important test for the Fire to improve on their 3 game undefeated streak.  If there is any killer instinct in this team, it should be on display tonight as Toronto is not good, tired, and has their eyes on the game after us. 

There are some rumors out there that Colombian Gionvanni Hernandez might be coming to the Chicago Fire.  As of now, I think it is just talk.  Team writer Jeff Crandall says there is no truth to the rumors. That said, this situation could provide just the test scenario Iron81 and I discussed of whether or not Marko Maric being placed on the MLS DL opens up an international roster slot.  We might also just see someone released.

My prediction for the Starting XI is Jon Conway; Jalil Anibaba, Cory Gibbs, Josip Mikulic, Gonzalo Segares; Daniel Paladini; Dominic Oduro, Gaston Puerari, Corben Bone, Marco Pappa; Diego Chaves.

The best guess for Toronto FC is Stefan Frei; Richard Eckersley, Dicoy Williams, Adrian Cann, Danleigh Borman; Julian De Guzman; Tony Tchani, Matt Gold; Nick Soolsma, Maicon Santos, Joao Plata

Pre/In/Post game thoughts and comments below.  I'm predicting a Chicago Fire 2-1 victory.