Hot Time In Old Town - 2021 MLS Coverage: Chicago Fire vs FC Cincinnati
TRADITION - HONOR - PASSION
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2021-06-28T15:02:04-05:00
http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/rss/stream/22311992
2021-06-28T15:02:04-05:00
2021-06-28T15:02:04-05:00
What We Learned From the Last Week Of Games
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<img alt="MLS: Philadelphia Union at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nBCpG1U0fCPcAbwSPTScMCiKqLE=/0x0:3343x2229/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69515168/usa_today_16326933.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Ruben has had two games to digest and has some thoughts about the last week. </p> <p id="kshkDY">With two games instead of one to look at, you’d think there’d be a lot to sink in, but the loss versus FC Cincinnati on Wednesday and the draw against the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com">Philadelphia Union</a> were completely different games. So let’s discuss the differences and figure out what all this could possibly mean on this week’s What We Learned.</p>
<h1 id="G8EI10">Tactics Matter</h1>
<p id="iOzx9h">The tactics used by <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com">Chicago Fire</a> head coach Raphael Wicky were completely different. Against the Union, the Fire played 5 defenders in a 5-3-2. Against FC Cincinnati, the Fire lined up with six defenders, two of which were played in the midfield as part of a 4-2-3-1. Johan Kappelhof and Jhon Espinoza were assigned to play as a central defensive midfielder and right winger respectively. This let FC Cincinnati dictate the terms of the game by cheating to the left side of the pitch, giving Ignacio Aliseda no room to work. Having Kap and Espinoza be the primary ball handlers meant that the Fire’s passing rhythm (or lack thereof) was a step to a step and a half slower. That let FCC shift to the left without losing anything because it was easier than normal to recover and pressure the players in unfamiliar positions. </p>
<p id="6McWPf">While Kap could be excused, they were playing the worst team in the league at the time and Kap had a lot of minutes at the 6 in the preseason, Espinoza on the wing was a complete misread of what makes Espinoza an effective attacker at wing-back. What makes him good is his ability to overlap and control passes at speed, creating dynamic chances at crossing the ball in or cutting it back in the vacated space. </p>
<p id="Heedqg">What he is not good at, is taking on defenders at a standstill in the middle of the park to start an attack, often passing it to said overlapping fullback. But that’s what you have to do on the wing in Raphael Wicky’s system. More often than not, the wingers tuck inside creating passing lanes for the fullbacks to go forward, and you have to have fast feet and exceptional awareness to play well. While Espinoza has good feet, he doesn’t know where the ball needs to go until he can see it, slowing down the attack to where it’s easily defended. </p>
<p id="jROS8Q">Meanwhile, on Saturday, Wicky switched up the formation by playing 5 at the back, with Mauricio Pineda playing the Sweeper a la Beckenbauer either behind or just in front of the center-back pairing of Kappelhof and Calvo. This gave both CBs some extra protection on defense, which was relevant on more than one occasion. But the real revelation was Wicky fixing his mistakes and started players in their proper position, including Alvaro Medran, who gave a man-of-the-match performance back in the deep-lying playmaker role he relishes in playing. </p>
<p id="IkcPyz">The moral of this story is “Play players were they’re comfortable and they’ll perform.” When Wicky and his staff didn't do that, they lost to one of the worst teams in the league. When they did, they got a result against one of MLS’s best. If you're going to change formation and tactics, make sure the players can do the job you want them to do. </p>
<h1 id="IBCFg0">The Fire Need A Striker</h1>
<p id="qhgUV9">The other big thing to come out of the last week is that the Fire are in desperate need of another striker. Robert Beric is either uninterested or incapable of staying onside when the team puts together a good sequence, ruining any chance of him even putting a shot on goal, and Chinonso Offor isn’t ready to shoulder the responsibility of leading the line. That leaves the bulk of the goal-scoring to capitalizing on set-piece opportunities or low percentage shots from out wide. As <em>The Athletic</em>’s Paul Tenorio tweeted, “there’s not one player on that roster that scares anyone in MLS in the final third. Not one.” The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">Transfer window</a> opens next Wednesday, and the Fire needs to make a move quickly, or else we’re looking at a 3rd wooden spoon in 7 years. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I know there is a whole Wicky Out thing happening in Chicago right now, but there's not one player on that roster that scares anyone in MLS in the final third. Not one. Other issues on the roster, for sure, but there is absolutely no threat on this Fire team. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cf97?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cf97</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cffc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cffc</a></p>— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulTenorio/status/1408957125083156480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2021</a>
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<h1 id="51iMVx">Everything Evens Out in the End</h1>
<p id="DRUS7x">Time and the universe always lean towards balance. There was no better example of this than in the match against Philly. The Fire’s first goal was scored by quite possibly the greatest own goal of all time, up to and including the goal Spain scored on themselves earlier today. Glesnes was the unfortunate soul to stick his foot in front of a cross and chip it over Andre Blake’s head. And then to close out the goalscoring for the evening, Boris Sekulic had a ball go off his shoulder into the back of the net. Each team had a ridiculous own goal to cancel out the other team’s, and the world was back in balance. </p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2021/6/28/22554203/what-we-learned-from-the-last-week-of-games
Ruben Tisch
2021-06-23T23:40:05-05:00
2021-06-23T23:40:05-05:00
In a battle of Major League Soccer’s two worst teams, Chicago Fire fall to FC Cincinnati 1-0
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<img alt="SOCCER: JUN 23 MLS - FC Cincinnati at Chicago Fire FC" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XYfEsi6e6ChT7DRhWlUO_kPGKa8=/0x0:8019x5346/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69497272/1233622505.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chicago Fire head coach Raphael Wicky looks on in game action during a game between the Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati | Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth tied a team record with 11 saves, but it wasn’t enough</p> <p id="oPrpDq">Raphael Wicky knew the questions were coming.</p>
<p id="QVOBTu">His <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com">Chicago Fire</a> are now in last place in MLS, after losing a dismal, 1-0 match at Soldier Field to the league’s previous bottom-dweller, FC Cincinnati. </p>
<p id="JVjbOi">After starting the season with a fairly positive draw against a quality <a href="https://www.thebentmusket.com">New England Revolution</a> side, the Fire have now dropped seven of the last eight matches, scoring just two goals during that stretch. It is, for a club that’s seen more than its share of misery over the last decade, perhaps the lowest point of all.</p>
<p id="FNRnHq">So when Wicky walked into the press room Wednesday night—the first time reporters have seen him or the players in person since March 2020 because of the pandemic—he already knew what was coming: Does he expect to be fired?</p>
<p id="IHcIte">“I know how this works,” Wicky said. “I have played 15 years, and I have been coaching a long time, so I know how his works. We don’t have results. I don’t have arguments. I am responsible for this, so there’s not much I can say to that.</p>
<p id="R6KMnU">“I like being the head coach here,” Wicky continued. “I like working with my staff and my players...The only thing I can say is I’m here 100 percent committed. I go every day to work hard.”</p>
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<cite>Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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<p id="ddAXMN">Fire goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth had 11 saves on the night—nine in the first half alone— breaking his career high, and tying the single match record for the Fire. He was beaten just once, on a 50th minute Álvaro Barreal free kick from 20 yards out. Even then, Shuttleworth sold out to make the save, got a finger on it, and slammed into the goal support in the process, leaving zero doubt about his desire to win the game, and to turn the season around. Shuttleworth was emphatic when asked whether the team still supports Wicky.</p>
<p id="lbz7zd">“First, I want to answer and say 100 percent,” Shuttleworth said. “I think Rapha is a great manager. He puts us in positions to succeed, we go over the stuff in training, we train the stuff. As players, we have to take responsibility sometimes for not stepping up and doing what the manager asks us to do. 100 percent, I can speak for the team, we are behind Rapha.”</p>
<p id="ecltwx">Fire captain Francisco Calvo echoed that, saying the players have let Wicky down.</p>
<p id="RZAsHM">“We support Wicky,” Calvo said. “I think he’s a great coach, a great person. I think he’s an amazing person, and we’re gonna be with him all the way. He deserves more than this.”</p>
<p id="zWKfCF">The Fire failed to create a single shot on goal in the last match against the <a href="https://www.massivereport.com">Columbus Crew</a>, a trend that continued through the first half of Wednesday’s FC Cincinnati game, with just two shots on target coming after that. During one bizarre run of play early in the second half, Fire striker Robert Berić blocked a shot by teammate Luka Stojanović, and then, shortly after, Berić failed to produce a shot from one yard out after taking a bad touch off an excellent pass from Brian Gutierrez.</p>
<p id="Y5uaTE">In second half stoppage time, it looked as if Berić had scored the equalizer, but it was pulled back—rightfully—after a VAR check showed he was offside.</p>
<p id="ZPu3OR">“Right now, it’s all a mental thing,” Wicky said. “It’s all in their heads. It’s confidence levels...Right now, my job and the job of my staff is to lift them up, to give them confidence, to show that we believe in them.”</p>
<p id="5uS9wG">The Fire are back in action in three days. The <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com">Philadelphia Union</a> come to Soldier Field on Saturday (7 p.m. CT. WGN-TV & CFFC Live) in the second of four straight home matches for Chicago. It’ll be another opportunity for the Fire to prove they’re better than this.</p>
<p id="dDzwes">“We’re trying to stay positive, we’re trying to stay together. But trust me, it’s hard,” Calvo said.</p>
<p id="pBgrEX"><strong>Chicago Fire FC:</strong> GK Shuttleworth, D Sekulić, D Pineda (Terán 54’), D Calvo ©, D Navarro, M Kappelhoff (Medrán 54’), M Espinoza (Gutiérrez 54’), M Herbers, M Aliseda (Offor 79’), M Stojanović, F Berić</p>
<p id="jFVcsC"><strong>Subs not used:</strong> GK Slonina, D Bornstein, M Monis, M Collier, M Casas Jr.</p>
<p id="tyBpFr"><strong>FC Cincinnati: </strong>GK Vermeer, D Matarrita, D Vallecilla, D Cameron, D Gyaau, M Cruz, M Kubo, M Acosta, F Atanga (Lovadia), F Brenner (Vasquez 72’), F Barreal (Hagglund 83’)</p>
<p id="iRKUw5"><strong>Subs not used: </strong>GK Tyton, D Castillo, M Stanko, M Medunjanin, M Mokotjo, F Kovacevic</p>
<p id="bvSsHe"><strong>Stats Summary: CHI / FCC</strong></p>
<p id="NURqPa">Shots: 19 / 19 </p>
<p id="sGIbXe">Shots on Goal: 2 / 12</p>
<p id="i7th9Y">Passing Accuracy: 74.4% / 69.3%</p>
<p id="507MSP">Saves: 11 / 2</p>
<p id="6vxNnH">Corners: 7 / 7 </p>
<p id="iYq2Dj">Fouls: 23 / 20</p>
<p id="FuIA3h">Total passes: 387 / 306 </p>
<p id="QT36VG">Offsides: 1 / 6</p>
<p id="N8zeIo">Possession: 56.5% / 43.5%</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2021/6/23/22548166/in-a-battle-of-major-league-soccers-two-worst-teams-chicago-fire-fall-to-fc-cincinnati-1-0
Patrick McCraney
2021-06-23T21:17:08-05:00
2021-06-23T21:17:08-05:00
Chicago Fire 0 FC Cincinnati 1: Man of the Match
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<img alt="MLS: FC Cincinnati at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bhLuOghe_rNb1LHgtPOkCPSkLU4=/0x0:3644x2429/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69496952/usa_today_16298849.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="Ol70S1">This one wasn’t so hard. the <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com">Chicago Fire</a> outfield players all played the worst game I’ve seen a Fire team play since the opening weeks of 2011. Then, like now, goalkeeping was the thing that kept them close in a game they should have been blown out by the 20th minute. Bobby Shuttleworth made 10 saves and sold out trying to stop a free-kick that he was always unlikely to get, but he got a fingertip on. His team let him down, but you can’t deny his quality tonight. Here’s to you, Mr. Shuttleworth. </p>
<p id="YGvSKb"><em>(Now let us know how you saw it. Vote for your choice for MOTM/WOTM 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/2021/6/23/22547962/chicago-fire-0-fc-cincinnati-1-man-of-the-match
Ruben Tisch
2021-06-23T21:05:21-05:00
2021-06-23T21:05:21-05:00
Chicago Fire 0, FC Cincinnati 1: Quick & Dirty Recap
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<img alt="MLS: FC Cincinnati at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S99UbPeg6fG_L-gW9vowYJF51M4=/0x0:4855x3237/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69496910/usa_today_16298816.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="DJjbjR"><a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com"><strong>Chicago Fire</strong></a><strong> 0 </strong></p>
<p id="M0rT50"><strong>FC Cincinnati 1 </strong>Barreal 50’</p>
<p id="yeffuX">Here is your quick & dirty editorial-free recap of the ChicagoFire home match against FC Cincinnati. The Chicago Fire lose to FC Cincinnati 1-0</p>
<h1 id="0yy24Z">50’ 0-1 Barreal</h1>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Set piece stunner from <a href="https://twitter.com/alvarobarreal00?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alvarobarreal00</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHIvCIN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHIvCIN</a> <a href="https://t.co/MUAdNc2k0n">pic.twitter.com/MUAdNc2k0n</a></p>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1407871864253259779?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2021</a>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2021/6/23/22547948/chicago-fire-0-fc-cincinnati-1-quick-dirty-recap
Ruben Tisch
2021-06-23T08:34:54-05:00
2021-06-23T08:34:54-05:00
Chicago Fire vs. FC Cincinnati: Gameday Guide and How to Watch
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<img alt="MLS: FC Cincinnati at Chicago Fire" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9_jVtSES6_6VXjZarBBp8itzWk0=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69492466/usa_today_14830207.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Fabian Herbers scores the opening goal against FC Cincinnati on August 25, 2020 | Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Major League Soccer’s two worst clubs face off at Soldier Field</p> <p id="DMscsF">Robert Berić was in the middle of a long goal scoring drought. </p>
<p id="wmekbp">The <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com">Chicago Fire</a> had just been played off the field by the Crew in Columbus. The Fire arrived back at Soldier Field trying to sort out a lot of issues, but there was one big glimmer of hope—they were at home for a midweek game against FC Cincinnati.</p>
<p id="9v1CFF">Fabian Herbers scored in the second minute of that match on August 25, 2020, the Fire went on to win 3-0, and the win over Cincinnati kicked off a decent run for Chicago—they’d go on to win three more games, before going winless in their final six, missing the playoffs by one point.</p>
<p id="BhKoIj">The script is nearly the same heading into tonight’s match. Berić goal drought? Check. Bad loss to the Crew in Columbus? Check. Struggling? Yep. Will another mid-week Soldier Field match against Cincinnati be the spark the Fire need to get something going? It’s the first of four straight at home for the Fire.</p>
<p id="MMJzgN">“Obviously looking forward, I mean, I don’t look four games ahead,” Herbers said. “I know we have Cincinnati and on Wednesday it’s a quick turnaround. It’s nice, so the 2-0 doesn’t stick too long in your bones. We have a chance to make it up in front of our home fans and we are up for the task.”</p>
<p id="OBv47j">For fans attending tonight’s match, things will start to look a bit more normal. Tailgating is back (on top of the Waldron parking deck), and there won’t be movement restrictions around the stadium. The same rules will apply for Saturday’s match against Philadelphia.</p>
<p id="iklDri">Starting July 3 against <a href="https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com">Atlanta United</a>, the stadium moves to full soccer capacity, the “Burnham Downs” tailgate opens on the East Lawn, and fans can buy merchandise with the new logo.</p>
<p id="8B17v6">For fans watching at home—Arlo White is back on the call alongside Tony Meola. It’s the second of four matches White is calling this summer before heading out on NBC Olympic duty. Tyler Terens moves to sideline duty.</p>
<h2 id="LuLPbV">Chicago Fire vs. FC Cincinnati</h2>
<p id="kih2sY">MLS Match #9 | Wednesday, June 23 | Soldier Field, Chicago</p>
<p id="n4n4DM">Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT</p>
<p id="RLl6g8">TV: WGN-TV</p>
<p id="4f5KCz">Chicago Area Steaming: CFFC Live - free at <a href="http://chicagofirefc.com/"><strong>ChicagoFireFC.com</strong></a> or the Chicago Fire mobile app for fans living in the Chicago TV market</p>
<p id="rcsyDq">Out of Market Streaming: ESPN+ (<a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/482924/1037187/9070?subId1=HotTimeInOldTown&subId2=[]sb[p]22305324[t]w[r]hottimeinoldtown.com[d]D&subId3=041921&sharedid=SBNation&u=https://plus.espn.com/soccer"><strong>use our link to subscribe and help support Hot Time!</strong></a>)</p>
<p id="jrQDfW">Radio: TUDN 1200AM</p>
<p id="ermK11">Live Twitter Updates: <a href="http://twitter.com/HotTimeOldTown"><strong>@HotTimeOldTown</strong></a></p>
<h2 id="uIc3qT">Chicago Fire Injuries & Absences</h2>
<ul>
<li id="BtYmKR">
<strong>OUT</strong>: Przemyslaw Frankowski (international duty)</li>
<li id="tRAOeU">
<strong>OUT</strong>: Gaston Gimenez (international duty)</li>
<li id="tdhLtQ">
<strong>OUT</strong>: Stanislav Ivanov (left knee)</li>
<li id="33R1Iz">
<strong>OUT</strong>: Kenneth Kronholm (right knee)</li>
<li id="rv78DP">
<strong>QUESTIONABLE</strong>: Wyatt Omsberg (left hip)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="WhWS9P">FC Cincinnati Injuries & Absences</h2>
<ul>
<li id="ALVgwN">
<strong>OUT</strong>: Calvin Harris (meniscus)</li>
<li id="rNZlPH">
<strong>OUT:</strong> Maikel van der Werff (sports hernia)</li>
<li id="L4RkcE">
<strong>OUT</strong>: Zico Bailey (hip)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="iF5NPI">Next up for the Fire</h2>
<p id="kl1dvs"><strong>Saturday, June 26</strong> - <strong>Chicago Fire vs. </strong><a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com"><strong>Philadelphia Union</strong></a> at Soldier Field, Chicago (7 p.m. CT, WGN and CFFC Live)</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2021/6/23/22546863/chicago-fire-vs-fc-cincinnati-gameday-guide-and-how-to-watch
Patrick McCraney
2021-06-22T13:31:54-05:00
2021-06-22T13:31:54-05:00
In Crisis: Chicago Fire vs FC Cincinnati 2021 MLS Game Preview
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<img alt="Chicago Fire FC v FC Cincinnati" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KRmi2BISg4WB2MQrApGATi6WFuk=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69487957/1228320408.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Fire are leaning over the edge of a cliff. </p> <p id="UDp77S">This is it. The big one. The one we’ve all been waiting for. The Fire are back to playing the loose coffee grinds at the bottom of the cup that is the Eastern Conference. It couldn’t have come at a better time. The Fire have lost trust with each other, and it shows with their play. The midfield is refusing to give the ball up to their center forward, and the defense is still giving up bad goals, only this time it’s communications breakdowns instead of poor individual play. They need something to go right or this season could spiral into the history books as the worst season in American organized soccer history. </p>
<p id="G2qUls">Enter FC Cincinnati stage right. They’re in just as bad a shape if not worse off than the Fire. At least with the Men in Red, you can say that there’s talent on the roster. You can't really say the same about FCC. This is the perfect team for the Fire to start getting things right against. But if they don’t, changes will need to be made, and their manager should be out of a job. </p>
<p id="79E41Z"><strong>Chicago Fire all-time MLS record vs FC Cincinnati: 1W-2D-1L, 4 GF / 2 GA, 5 pts out of 16</strong></p>
<p id="PZFB08"><strong>Chicago Fire home MLS record vs FC Cincinnati: 1W-0D-1L, 4 GF / 2 GA, 3 pts out of 6</strong></p>
<h1 id="zzYWAT">Previously on… </h1>
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<p id="T85aVP">Along with Miami and the Fire, Cincinnati has the dubious distinction of having one of the worst teams in the league. Before the Nations League break, they had opened the season with one win against Montreal and a draw against Nashville in the opener but had a goal differential of -9 to start the season. Their 2-0 loss to Colorado at the weekend has them at -11, keeping them behind the Fire in the standings. </p>
<h1 id="W7aO0D">Suggested Lineup</h1>
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<p id="P0brLR">Do not adjust your eyes. You are not seeing things. Yes, I have Francisco Calvo back in my starting XI. He’s improved over the last few games and while he still has those communication issues I keep harping on, we haven’t seen any of the other center-back options really step up for the club, especially with Pineda moving up to the DM role with Gimenez at the Copa America. </p>
<p id="wHBUwO">As for the bit upfront, I detest the false 9 on principle. however, there are some unique circumstances where using it is a necessity. This is one of those times for the Fire. The midfield has clearly lost confidence in their #1 option in Robert Beric, and Chinonso Offor looks out of his depth when on the pitch. The solution, then, is to get a bit creative with the formation. Play Fabian Herbers as a false 9, get Medran and Luka running at defenders and try to slip them in for goals in the 18-yard box. Or spread the ball wide and have Guti and Aliseda curl shots in from outside. Do anything to get shots on target with players that feel comfortable. </p>
<h1 id="5TU3yE">Keys To The Match</h1>
<p id="2ORURZ"><strong>Build on Your Midfield</strong>: The Fire’s midfield is the bright spot of the season. They’re regularly out-possessing and out-passing better teams. The trick is finding a way to turn all that possession and accurate passing into real scoring opportunities. They need to make better forward runs and find that key pass, true, but they also need to stop hesitating and shoot before a defender can take away the angle. </p>
<p id="LUuKIx"><strong>Play Together:</strong> Over the last couple of games, the players on the field have gotten more and more disjointed and out of sync with each other. On some level, it was always going to happen. When you lose two starters for long periods of time (a unique to MLS issue) you’re going to have some issues integrating their replacements. However, what’s going on is beyond that. The midfield doesn't trust their striker or their defense, the defense doesn’t trust each other, and everyone is playing their own game. They need to do some trust falls or something. Play as a team, and results will most likely improve, and even if they don’t, they’ll be less likely to embarrass themselves. </p>
<h1 id="ZRsDgP">How To Watch</h1>
<p id="6NXvA4">Television: WGN-TV</p>
<p id="ugwLNV">Streaming: CFFC Live/ ESPN+ (out of market)</p>
<h1 id="Bac1oN">Final Thoughts </h1>
<p id="JpN8Q0">The Fire have to win this game. That’s really all there is to say about it. However, until they prove they can score a goal or two, I’m not going to predict they can. The final score is going to be 1-0 to Cincinnati and then the panic will really start. </p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2021/6/22/22545470/cffc-cf97-chicago-fire-vs-fc-cincinnati-mls-2021-preview-lineups-how-to-watch
Ruben Tisch