Fire 4, Orlando City 0: First Thoughts

• Same ol’, same ol’ as far as the lineup goes. And no reason to be upset as we’re unbeaten in 9 straight, all comps.
• Rematch of the weird game earlier this month, when Orlando had two red cards, yet the Fire couldn’t find a way to put one in the back of the net.
• Orlando City have found a way to get results. 26 points, but a negative goal differential, only scoring 20 goals in 17 matches. I’m feelin’ another clean sheet!

FIRST THOUGHT: Gotta get all three at home, especially against a top team in our conference. Same way as usual, solid at the back, control possession in midfield, and get service to Niko.

KICKOFF!

2 - Really good turnout for today’s game. Love it!

3 - FIRE GOAL, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? POETRY IN MOTION, KING DAVID ACCAM!!!

4 - Oh, Niko juuuuust pushed one wide...nearly 2-0 already!

6 - Niko gets another decent look and just pops it over the bar...the Fire are on fire to start.

8 - GOAL, KINGGGGGGG DAAAAAVID ACCAM!!!! HE GETS A BRACE ONLY 8 MINUTES IN!!!

10 - I’m feeling 6-0 tonight. Let’s go!

13 - The Fire are running circles around OCSC right now. This could get ugly, Orlando look like they don’t want to be out there.

14 - It’s truly incredible to see Chicago improve every single week. Each time you think they’re peaking, they outdo themselves yet again.

15 - Vincent nearly sets it on a silver plater for Accam, but just a hair out of his reach. Accam’s going for 3 or 4 tonight.

18 - At this rate I don’t think we’re going to face a shot on target.

22 - YELLOW CARD - ORLANDO CITY - JOHNSON - David Accam about to go off to the races, and just is clipped by Johnson to stop the huge counter.

24 - Polster getting down the right wing for daaaaaaaaays.

24 - Accam about to score, but he was...called...offsides... ... ... ... ... hmmm.

26 - Okay, David Accam is playing on another level right now. He’s skinning defenders, two at a time.

31 - Brandon Vincent PINGS a cross in to Niko, but he’s stonewalled by Bendik...brilliant delivery by Vincent.

32 - Fire getting cheeky with the free kick...they’re in complete control.

34 - YELLOW CARD - ORLANDO CITY - HIGUITO - Get’s a heavy touch on the back of Accam. Good free kick territory...

35 - I’m just waiting for that perfect ball to fall to Schweinsteiger and he puts it in the top corner.

41 - I’ve finally figured it out. Matt Lampson looks like what Erik Per Sullivan would look like now, if Erik Per Sullivan grew up to be a goalkeeper. (The kid from Malcolm in the Middle)

43 - Oh man, Accam, so close to getting that hat trick! It’s coming, folks.

HALFTIME THOUGHT: Utter. Domination. Could have been at least 3 or 4. Need to keep the intensity up in the second half.

48 - Polster with his first bad cross of the game, but the Fire are starting the second half pushing for that third goal.

52 - THERE IT IS! NIKO SCORES AND IT’S 3-NIL!!!!!!!!! That’s 14 for the big man!!!!!

53 - YELLOW CARD - CHICAGO - SCHWEINSTEIGER - Schweinsteiger picks up a silly yellow.

56 - YELLOW CARD - CHICAGO - DE LEEUW.

57 - Garcia and Barnes coming on to try and make a dent here...coming off are Higuita and Gil.

59 - Juninho on for MdL. Rest, rest, rest your guys.

62 - PENALTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FIRE GET A CHANCE FROM THE SPOT!

63 - ACCAM HAT TRICK, GO CRAZY, TOYOTA PARK!!!!! It’s 4-0!!!!

65 - It’s too much winning! I can’t take it anymore! (Okay, you can continue)

65 - Kaka hits the bench. A night to forget for him and his teammates. Laryea on for him.

67 - Orlando City offsides on a really good chance. They cannot catch a break and they cannot get out of here quick enough.

69 - Nikolic just hits one over the bar, just missing #5 on the night!

69 - YELLOW CARD - CHICAGO - NIKOLIC - What, am I going to act upset at this point?

70 - Somehow, there’s still 20 minutes for the Fire to score some more...

73 - Djordje coming on -- get a goal, son!! Basti getting an early, well deserved shower.

75 - Rivas absolutely taken down by Lampson, but no call. Probably should have been a red...

76 - Jason Kreis looks like he’s about to bite someone’s head off. Wouldn’t want to be on that flight back to Florida.

79 - Alright Pauno, let’s give Accam a rest here. No sense in him being out there still.

80 - There it is, Alvarez on for Accam. Stand for this man, Chicago!

82 - Keep in mind, this is a big game for goal differential. This essentially cancels out the 4-0 loss @ ATL. Now we’re at +14, only 1 goal behind TFC.

83 - Oh, gosh, Toyota Park. PLEASE, PLEASE, stop doing the wave.

84 - Mac > PC, as the latter picks up a YELLOW CARD for ORLANDO CITY. Just pulls Lucho to the ground.

86 - Meira is clocked by an elbow, not sure how that was missed!

Two minutes of added time...

FINAL THOUGHT: The Fire have allowed one goal allowed in their last 444 minutes in MLS play, and one goal in their last 534 minutes in all comps. They’re on another level right now. Let’s hope they can keep it going as we transition to our second USOC game on Wednesday night!