THOUGHTS ON THE FIRE: Veljko Paunovic may well be in “Win the Cup or You’re Out” mode—and it’s for the most part undeserved. Camera caught him shaking his head after RSL got the eventual match-winner on Saturday. He has made some questionable tactical decisions such as Brandon Vincent at center back and Jonathan Campbell up front for one game. However, the person responsible for Paunovic being in this position—and most everything going wrong with the Chicago Fire these days—is Nelson Rodriguez.
He failed to add depth to the club over the Winter and now has gotten rid of two players he did sign over the Winter (more on that later). Rodriguez has absolutely failed to land a true #10 or a true center back who can partner with Johan Kappelhof. Meanwhile, he has joined owner Anderw Hauptman as far as hashtags demanding his removal on social media among the Fire Faithful. This season has been ineptitude of the highest (or lowest depending on your view) order.
Only the Cup will save the Fire now. Otherwise, Major League Soccer need to step aside from waxing lyrical about the likes of Atlanta United and LAFC and actually address one of its older franchises and how it’s being run.
RAMOS LEAVES FIRE: The Fire and Rafael Ramos agreed to mutually terminate Ramos’s contract so he can join Dutch side FC Twente Enschede. Ramos only played three matches for the Fire after coming over via trade with Orlando. He is the second player acquired over the winter who has left the club after first round SuperDraft pick Jon Bakero was traded to Toronto.
TOURNAMANET OF NATIONS: Last Thursday’s match between the USA and Brazil was the most electric (and full since Zlatan’s visit) Toyota Park has been in quite a while. The US Women’s National Team looked the prohibitive favorites they will likely be come the Women’s World Cup in France next year. It was a good night for the Red Stars overall as Australia’s Sam Kerr scored in the first match against Japan as The Matildas look more and more like a dark horse, and Julie Ertz headed in eventual match winner.
Now for the fans to come out to cheer on the Red Stars on Friday night against North Carolina. Kickoff is at 7pm.
Chicago Fire
