Hot Time In Old Town - MLS Coverage: Chicago Fire vs Vancouver WhitecapsTRADITION - HONOR - PASSIONhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50655/htiot-fav.png2019-04-15T12:30:00-05:00http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/rss/stream/180704572019-04-15T12:30:00-05:002019-04-15T12:30:00-05:00Chicago Fire 1, Vancouver Whitecaps 1: What We Learned
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<img alt="MLS: New York Red Bulls at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y682m6tLSHmKTjmgRFNvHkE0NCM=/0x0:4031x2687/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63412014/usa_today_12468760.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Once again a goalkeeping blunder costs the Fire points</p> <p id="KsrVSJ">Another game, another blown opportunity. It feels like that’s the story of the season. Even with a new #10, and a dominant performance, the team keep making the same mistakes over and over. It’s frustrating, to be sure, but it would probably be more frustrating if these were losses instead of draws. </p>
<p id="L2VCFy">Welcome to this week’s What We Learned. </p>
<h1 id="riXdHI">Maybe it’s the Coaching Staff? </h1>
<p id="4mp46N">Meet Aleksandar Saric. For four years now, he’s been the goalkeepers coach for the <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a>, and the Serbian U-20 goalkeeper coach before that. If that sounds suspiciously like <span>Veljko Paunovic</span>’s resume, then you’d be correct. Saric is Pauno’s guy, and he has to go. </p>
<p id="hEH3jw">The Goalkeeping blunder by <span>David Ousted</span> that caused the Whitecaps to go up 1-0 is not about David Ousted. Not really. As far as I’m aware, he’s never been into this sort of thing. And it’s not just him either. There’s a pattern of goalkeeping blunders that spans over multiple goalkeepers with one through line; Aleksandar Saric. From Sean Johnson to <span>Jorge Bava</span> to <span>Stefan Cleveland,</span>The Fire have taken goalkeepers who had various flaws, yes, but also were not horrific before they got here, and they left the club a shambles. </p>
<p id="I82foT">Pauno and Saric like to have aggressive goalkeeping. They like keepers to come out off their lines and clean up opposing plays. The problem is, that leads to indecision from the keepers and that leads to positions like Friday night. It happened twice. One lead to a goal, and the other lead to a scoring opportunity that was cleared away by Bastian Schweinsteiger. It doesn’t matter who they have back there, this will keep happening. Manuel Neuer is not walking through that door. They need a new goalkeeping philosophy.... or a new coach. </p>
<h1 id="BAwzFW">One of these days, the Fire will score goals</h1>
<p id="kR3ReJ">One of the main themes of the Fire season this year has been wasted opportunities, and this game was no different. The Fire shot the ball twenty three times, all of them going relatively close to the goal. </p>
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<p id="ToEhmQ">It’s easy to say that they need to start converting some of these shots into goals. Scoring goals is hard, after all. But it shouldn’t be this hard. The Fire are extremely inefficient in front of goal. A finishing rate of just four percent isn’t good enough in rec league soccer, let alone in the top league in the country. The goals will come. They have to. You can not go all season creating chances while not putting them away. Someone has to score. </p>
<h1 id="VljTXN">Nico Gaitán Is Good</h1>
<p id="HWV80R">Coming into the match, there was some hand wringing over the starting XI and weather or not Djordje Mihailovic deserved to be benched for Gaitán. I wouldn’t call what happened to Djordje a benching. It was a short week, and frankly, it was time to see what the brand new Argentine could do over the course of a full ninety minute appearance. And what he did was absolutely beautiful.</p>
<p id="YYX3Kx">His quality on the pitch was visible, he made several turns in traffic to fool defenders and create space, as well as flash some superior passing skill, putting balls with perfect pace into perfect spots. It’s clear that the communication isn’t there yet. There were a few missed passes that wouldn’t have been missed with more practice time. But, more practice time is coming, and we should see more passing improvement. Because we’re already seeing it. The Fire had an 80% passing percentage, a marked improvement over the last several games. This bodes well for the future. If only they could score goals.</p>
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<p id="btEaoJ">And that’s what I learned. Drop us a line in the comments and tell us your observations on the draw against Vancouver.</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2019/4/15/18311300/chicago-fire-1-vancouver-whitecaps-1-mls-2019-week-7-what-we-learnedRuben Tisch2019-04-12T22:30:00-05:002019-04-12T22:30:00-05:00Settling For Less: Chicago Fire 1, Vancouver Whitecaps 1, MLS Game Recap
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<img alt="MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BurZa2I-ODgDKKuumDP2JDjO8Nc=/87x0:4676x3059/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63403206/usa_today_12523334.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Fire had a golden opportunity to pick up a win at home and build some momentum. They completely blew it.</p> <blockquote>
<p id="dQMBiM"><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/"><strong>Chicago Fire</strong></a><strong> 1</strong> Nikolic (pen) 84’</p>
<p id="S69Mu1"><a href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/"><strong>Vancouver Whitecaps</strong></a><strong> 1</strong> Reyna 53’</p>
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<p id="OHs3Xr">“How long?”</p>
<p id="PcUOx3">It’s a question Fire fans have been asking almost every year for the better part of the decade. How long does this bullshit go on? How long do we accept mediocrity and <a href="http://www.s8c.org/stand-and-deliver/">business as usual</a> with this team? How long do we wait until things actually, measurably get better.</p>
<p id="GEgaM9">I’m sure as hell asking that question right now. How long are we supposed to sit through games like this and then try to focus on positives? Why does <em>this</em> have to be Good Enough?</p>
<div id="pfw6GO"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/alLJkHqswcU?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="wakw6w">Because I am contractually obligated to say this: Ruben was right. He correctly guessed the lineup in the preview yesterday. He was right. Thank you, Ruben.</p>
<p id="igdwjO">Anyway: Nico Gaitán with his first start! Huzzah!</p>
<p id="QvdoAa">The Fire did well enough through the opening minutes, keeping the ball and applying pressure going forward. But they also frequently left themselves open in the back, particularly up the middle; were Vancouver a better team, they might’ve taken advantage. As it was, the Fire were able to lay siege to the Whitecaps net, with <span>Nemanja Nikolic</span> and <span>Bastian Schweinsteiger</span> combining to nearly get the opening goal in the 12th minute.</p>
<p id="m3SQvi">But the big story of the early part of the game was Gaitán, whose passing and movement off the ball is were already making the Fire look like a different team.</p>
<p id="yBDBH0">Chicago kept pushing through the first half. Katai hit a gorgeous curling shot inside the box in the 31st minute, denied only by last-second heroics by Maxime Crépeau.</p>
<p id="YonsCu">But for all the Fire’s pressure and forward momentum, they couldn’t get any payoff. 0-0 at the half.</p>
<p id="Pd2wV7">The second half started fine. The Fire looked to continue as they started. And then <span>David Ousted</span> made a stupid, stupid mistake, coming well off his line to smother a ball that a defender could’ve easily dealt with, then losing control of the ball, and gifting the opening goal to <span>Yordy Reyna</span>. 0-1.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VWFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VWFC</a> take the lead through <a href="https://twitter.com/yordy_10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yordy_10</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvVAN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvVAN</a> <a href="https://t.co/gJWdFV843b">https://t.co/gJWdFV843b</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1116881904974712832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p id="utYEIX">The Fire then proceeded to completely fall apart. They were panicky. They gave up the ball too easily. Shots went wildly off-course. Something needed to change, and quickly.</p>
<p id="4265Le">Eventually the panic subsided, and the Fire started pushing forward, but there was nothing to suggest that an equalizer was forthcoming. It really looked like we were going to lose to fucking <em>Vancouver</em>.</p>
<p id="Sjsnl6">And then, somehow, the Soccer Gods cut us some goddamn slack for once.</p>
<p id="UQQt1y">A handball in the box— confirmed by VAR— gave Chicago a penalty, which was duly converted by Niko. 1-1.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're level in Chicago as <a href="https://twitter.com/niko_nemanja?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@niko_nemanja</a> converts from the spot! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvVAN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvVAN</a> <a href="https://t.co/6jCN39hLDe">https://t.co/6jCN39hLDe</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1116889404776124417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p id="MEFU62">There was the usual late scramble chaos from both teams in the dying minutes of the game. None of it changed anything. The whistle blew at 1-1.</p>
<p id="RYFPWq">Once again, the Fire have an opportunity to pick up points and make a statement, and what they deliver again is one big juicy shart. We can talk about all the subtle measures of progress all day, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t put points on the board. I want to believe in this team. But right now, it’s just not good enough.</p>
<p id="dRwAHS">The Chicago Fire (1W 3D 2L, 6pts) are back at it next Saturday at home when they take on the <a href="https://www.burgundywave.com/">Colorado Rapids</a>.</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2019/4/12/18308526/chicago-fire-1-vancouver-whitecaps-1-mls-2019-week-7-game-recap-nikolic-penalty-ousted-howlerBridget Gordon2019-04-12T21:50:00-05:002019-04-12T21:50:00-05:00Chicago Fire 1, Vancouver Whitecaps 1: Man Of The Match
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<img alt="MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FghTl4NkeKYi0C7xg7fOC5AlZQI=/0x0:2722x1815/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63403110/usa_today_12522811.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Bleh</p> <p id="SgloEB">Well that sucked. Glad we got the point, but, yeesh.</p>
<p id="WB9n6l">We’re going with <span>Aleksandar Katai</span> as our MOTM this week. He was consistently the most threatening player through both halves of soccer, and the fact that he didn’t get on the scoresheet is more down to dumb luck.</p>
<p id="QPxhdj"><em>Now let us know how you saw it. Vote for your choice for MOTM in the poll below. The poll will be open for two days, after which we’ll publicize the results. (Note: if you’re viewing this post from AMP or Apple News, you won’t see the poll below. Feel free to tell us your pick in the comments.)</em></p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2019/4/12/18308519/best-worst-performances-vote-motm-chicago-fire-1-vancouver-whitecaps-1-mls-2019-week-7Bridget Gordon2019-04-12T21:35:19-05:002019-04-12T21:35:19-05:00Chicago Fire 1, Vancouver Whitecaps 1: Quick & Dirty Recap
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<img alt="MLS: Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VovRnb6tDt3JUrpWS5us0_JXKIw=/0x0:2797x1865/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63403084/usa_today_12522810.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Fire are forced to settle for a point at home </p> <blockquote>
<p id="dQMBiM"><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/"><strong>Chicago Fire</strong></a><strong> 1</strong> Nikolic (pen) 84’</p>
<p id="S69Mu1"><a href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/"><strong>Vancouver Whitecaps</strong></a><strong> 1</strong> Reyna 53’</p>
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<p id="d6EOhx">Here is your quick & dirty editorial-free recap of the Chicago Fire home match against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Fire played out to a 1-1 draw, with their goal coming on a penalty kick from Nemanja Nikolic. Vancouver’s goal came from <span>Yordy Reyna</span>.</p>
<h1 id="b7PjyP">53’ 0-1 Reyna</h1>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VWFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VWFC</a> take the lead through <a href="https://twitter.com/yordy_10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@yordy_10</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvVAN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvVAN</a> <a href="https://t.co/gJWdFV843b">https://t.co/gJWdFV843b</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1116881904974712832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<h1 id="Tq0Q6F">84’ 1-1 Nikolic (pen)</h1>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're level in Chicago as <a href="https://twitter.com/niko_nemanja?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@niko_nemanja</a> converts from the spot! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvVAN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvVAN</a> <a href="https://t.co/6jCN39hLDe">https://t.co/6jCN39hLDe</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1116889404776124417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p id="NECY35">Stay tuned for more postgame coverage here on Hot Time In Old Town. In the meantime, join the conversation in the comments or on social media.</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2019/4/12/18308513/chicago-fire-1-vancouver-whitecaps-1-match-recap-report-mls-2019-week-7Bridget Gordon2019-04-12T15:00:00-05:002019-04-12T15:00:00-05:00Chicago Fire vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Game Day Primer, How To Watch, & Open Thread
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<img alt="MLS: Chicago Fire at Vancouver Whitecaps" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fu1ZBsgdT7BMBV4eZS4skWdKutg=/0x0:2697x1798/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63400751/usa_today_10970987.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Lineups, streaming info, and live MLS coverage as the Fire face off against Vancouver </p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="LJKu5O">
<h2 id="KhMlN5"><strong>Chicago Fire vs Vancouver Whitecaps</strong></h2>
<p id="FgH0ft">Friday, April 12th, 2019</p>
<p id="JJ4cbm">MLS Week 1 | SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview IL</p>
<p id="9oOk6e">Kickoff: 7:30pm CT</p>
<p id="r989YA">Referee: Jair Marrufo</p>
<p id="Ny92Ne">Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Jose Da Silva</p>
<p id="P3tbMR">4th Official: Ismir Pekmic</p>
<p id="HLkjXf">VAR: Daniel Radford</p>
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<p id="p253EZ">If the Fire are really going to turn a corner and tell a better story about themselves this season, this is a great night to do it. At home, nursing a two-game unbeaten streak, and facing one of the weaker teams in the league. If the Fire are serious about being competitive this season, this is the kind of game they <em>have</em> to win.</p>
<h2 id="gY9zbC"><strong>PREVIEW & VIEWING OPTIONS</strong></h2>
<p id="PwyyhN"><strong>Full Preview: </strong><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2019/4/11/18305588/chicago-fire-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-mls-week-7-preview-news-projected-lineups-how-to-watch">Fire vs Whitecaps</a></p>
<p id="Hh1Aln"><strong>Television</strong>: N/A (US), TSN 1/3/4 (CAN)</p>
<p id="m5TSiw"><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> ESPN+</p>
<p id="r5Bfw7"><strong>Live Updates:</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/hottimeoldtown">@HotTimeOldTown</a> (livetweets by <a href="https://twitter.com/rubentisch">Ruben</a>) | <a href="https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2019-04-12-chicago-fire-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/preview">MLS Matchcenter</a></p>
<h2 id="cNEupX"><strong>CHICAGO FIRE</strong></h2>
<div id="n8igUl">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's about that time ⌛️ Today's Starting XI presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/ATT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ATT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvVAN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvVAN</a> lineup notes:<a href="https://t.co/sH2ngM1WHI">https://t.co/sH2ngM1WHI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cf97?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cf97</a> <a href="https://t.co/KigablstJk">pic.twitter.com/KigablstJk</a></p>— Chicago Fire (@ChicagoFire) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoFire/status/1116846234457858049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2019</a>
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<h2 id="OVu405"><strong>VANCOUVER WHITECAPS</strong></h2>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> STARTING XI <br><br>Pres. by <a href="https://twitter.com/CapitalDirectCA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CapitalDirectCA</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvVAN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvVAN</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VWFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VWFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/VvAXKIJ6Vu">pic.twitter.com/VvAXKIJ6Vu</a></p>— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhitecapsFC/status/1116845976596242433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2019</a>
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<h2 id="m1KkS6"><strong>JOIN THE CONVERSATION</strong></h2>
<p id="92qDpf">Be sure to follow our full coverage of every <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> game this season, along with breaking news, tactical analysis, and opinion. Join the conversation in the comments below or on social media.</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2019/4/12/18308061/chicago-fire-vancouver-whitecaps-mls-2019-week-7-info-lineups-streaming-kickoff-timeBridget Gordon2019-04-11T15:00:00-05:002019-04-11T15:00:00-05:00Friday Night Lights: Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS Week 7 Preview
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<img alt="MLS: Chicago Fire at Vancouver Whitecaps" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NVlEhidEshigfIBc1ecFAF9tOlI=/0x0:3429x2286/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63394836/usa_today_10927480.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Chicago will play host to a struggling Whitecaps side for Canadian national TV</p> <p id="nWKxdN">Give The Friday night games are back again this year. These games, largely featuring Canadian teams, are being scheduled, I think, to avoid conflicts with the NHL playoffs and the end of the regular season, at the behest of their Canadian broadcast partner TSN. However, these games are not on national TV in the United States. I think that’s a mistake. </p>
<p id="smwdjj">Aside from next Friday’s tilt between the <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> and <a href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a> on Unimas, MLS is missing out on a relatively empty sports timeslot. There’s no Friday night national baseball game, and the NBA, which does have a national TV window on ESPN Friday’s during the winter is finished with their regular season. It would behoove MLS to grab onto the time slot, and showcase some of the best MLS has to offer on a national audience when broadcasters are starved for live sports content. </p>
<p id="dqyWqh"><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/"><strong>Chicago Fire</strong></a><strong> all-time MLS record vs </strong><a href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/"><strong>Vancouver Whitecaps</strong></a><strong>: 2W-2D-5L, 11 GF / 13 GA, 8 pts out of 27</strong></p>
<p id="4iZEgw"><strong>Chicago Fire home MLS record vs Vancouver Whitecaps: 2W-2D-1L, 5 GF / 1 GA, 8 pts out of 15</strong></p>
<h1 id="zJ0Gwz">Previously on… </h1>
<div id="MWmiEo"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MeKJXfWjgpY?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
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<p id="RlVO57">Vancouver are really struggling right now, going winless in their first 5 games. There lone point came in a scoreless draw with the <a href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a>. </p>
<h1 id="fNwc1F">Suggested Lineup</h1>
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<p id="firstHeading">As of yesterday, Przemysław Frankowski is still listed as out with a groin injury. So, I think that this is how the Men in Red will line up. The only change I foresee? Nicolas Gaitán for Djordje Mihailovic. It’s time to see him play a full 90... or at least start the match. </p>
<h1 id="bsw7DQ">Keys To The Match</h1>
<p id="u7fl0A"><strong>Visualize, then execute: </strong>The Fire need to finish their chances when they have opportunities. They’ve wasted plenty of chances already this season. Coming in to April, the Fire were ranked <a href="https://www.americansocceranalysis.com/team-xg-2019">sixth</a> in <a href="https://www.americansocceranalysis.com/explanation">expected goals</a> in the league, and yet they have not managed to convert those expected goals into real goals. Coming into this game with a goal differential of -2 is not where you want to be. The offense needs to kick it into high gear.</p>
<p id="Guolgk"><strong>Don’t just stand around, do something: </strong>For the most part I was happy with the defensive performance last week, however the one big thing that needs to be improved on is the static nature of the back line. Whenever the ball would get clear, the back four were slow in pushing back the Toronto attackers toward midfield. They need to start reacting quicker to changes and put more pressure on the opposing forwards. </p>
<p id="AZg9ZX"><strong>Be ready for battle: </strong>The Fire have a problem with coming out slow to start games. Generally, they do play better in the second halves of games, but if they want to be a playoff team, they need to start off strong in the first half. Friday’s game is as good a time as any to start doing it. </p>
<h1 id="BYBweY">How To Watch</h1>
<p id="dNW6ps"><strong>Television</strong>: TSN 1,3, and 4 (CAN Only)</p>
<p id="iymXeZ"><strong>Streaming</strong>: ESPN+</p>
<h1 id="8JaXDw">Final Thoughts</h1>
<p id="uIJ0ya">With the poor start by Vancouver, combined with the belief that the Fire will eventually convert all these chances they create, I say 3-0 Fire victory.</p>
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<p id="jN4XD9">Do you think the Fire will be able to post another win? Let us know in the comments!</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2019/4/11/18305588/chicago-fire-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-mls-week-7-preview-news-projected-lineups-how-to-watchRuben Tisch2019-04-11T12:30:00-05:002019-04-11T12:30:00-05:00Signal Intel: Trouble Up North
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<img alt="MLS: LA Galaxy at Vancouver Whitecaps FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f2xDV55sqyFLWNkDYWUsFh6NJVA=/0x0:2401x1601/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63394215/usa_today_12484206.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We chat with our friends at Eighty Six Forever about tomorrow’s clash with the Whitecaps</p> <p id="lIwAzk">This week, we were gladly asked to exchange questions with Andrew Bahl from <a href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Eighty Six Forever,</a> our sister blog covering the <a href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a>. Head on over there to get my responses to their questions.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="NYJmZj">
<blockquote><p id="vtmnK1">As someone who picked Vancouver to make the playoffs in the beginning of the season, I have to ask: How are they winless after 5 games? What’s caused this bad start? </p></blockquote>
<p id="G6SEKc">The short answer is some combination of disorganized defense (Houston and Minnesota matches), poor finishing (Seattle and LA) and bad luck (RSL).</p>
<p id="XkdLAN">The long answer boils down to the fact that this is more or less an entirely new team. There are really three starters who are in the same roles this season that they were in 2018. Especially on defense, this lack of familiarity has been noticeable. The struggles of Fredy Montero, a former Cap who returned this offseason, to integrate into a different tactical style hasn’t helped either. But this team has the feel of one that could pick up steam as it gets a feel for each other and Marc dos Santos’ style, which is much more attacking than what <span>Carl Robinson</span> liked to do.</p>
<p id="3fXUyZ">Also worth noting that a lot of the defensive issues early stemmed from the fact that they were essentially playing without a natural left back, instead relying on a centerback (Derek Cornelius), right back (<span>Scott Sutter</span>) and left winger (PC Giro) to cover. The Caps have since signed on loan Ali Adnan, an Iraq international LB, who has become one of their best players and is one of the best at his position in the league. That can only help going forward.</p>
<blockquote><p id="eiu6JL">Who is the real danger man for Vancouver? Who are the Fire going to need to stop if they want to win?</p></blockquote>
<p id="TNvF5H">Part of the problem for Vancouver stems from the fact that they haven’t really found someone to replace the instant offensive threat that <span>Alphonso Davies</span> offered. Like I said earlier, Montero has been sluggish, as has Yordy Reyna. Lass Bangoura is dangerous on the right wing when fit but has also had a hard time playing that way for the majority of the match.</p>
<p id="w37O2m">The most dangerous player on the team, however, is undoubtedly Hwang In-Beom. The Korean international wowed at the Asian Cup and he’s shown why early this season. MDS is trying to give him more creative autonomy by deploying him as a LW and he was quite threatening in linking up with Ali Adnan last Friday against <a href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a>. No one else on the Caps can duplicate his passing ability and with better finishing, his long balls really should’ve helped Vancouver pick up at least a few more points. I know the coaching staff is really looking to free Hwang up to work his magic, so Chicago will need to plan for Vancouver to really play through the left flank. </p>
<blockquote><p id="GxEWvD">How is the fanbase taking this start to the season? Are there calls for firings? Is everyone freaking out?</p></blockquote>
<p id="lQXKmz">Vancouver fans are in a perpetual state of freaking out so the start to the season has been met with consternation, to say the least. I think pretty much every fan, however, trusts that MDS was the right managerial hire and I think a majority get that this squad will need time to gel.</p>
<p id="cUYgRt">There is undoubtedly a very vocal portion of the fanbase who believes that we need new front office management or that the current leadership is much too hesitant to spend on the type of player that is necessary to help Vancouver win trophies (especially after the Alphonso Davies windfall). I think there are definitely fair critiques of management, although I also think the player scouting and recruitment this offseason was much better than what it was under Carl Robinson. MDS really has an idea of the kind of players he wants for his system and the club seemed to be able to hit its main transfer targets. Thus, I don’t think there is any real chance of staff losing their job. This was always going to be a rebuilding year and, like I said, I think most fans get that. If the team doesn’t at least look more competitive in the second half of the season, I think you will continue to see (founded) complaints from fans. But most are willing to be patient for the time being.</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2019/4/11/18305565/cf97-chicago-fire-signal-intel-vancouver-whitecaps-mls-2019Ruben Tisch