THOUGHTS ON THE FIRE: The Fire are “not good enough right now” according to head coach Veljko Paunovic. Bastian Schweinsteiger says everyone needs to “step up”. One only has to look at the highlights of Sunday’s match for an example of Schweinsteiger’s frustration when Grant Lillard cheaply gives away a ball and it almost led to a Houston score.
It is the second time this season that the Fire have come from behind only to come from ahead and lose (home opener vs. SKC). It’s very hard to watch the Fire right now. Yes, their injury list resembles a M*A*S*H Unit right now, but one has to wonder if the Fire’s problems would have been at least mitigated if the Fire added some depth to its lineup before the season started. Now, they have to wait until July to do so and there will be less than half the season left.
Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez will have a lot to answer for when he hosts his media roundtable on Wednesday.
THOUGHTS ON THE RED STARS: It’s the fifth draw in six matches for the Red Stars with their goalless tilt vs. Seattle on Saturday. Unfortunately, that sixth match was a loss and it has pushed the Red Stars below the red line and having played the most matches of any team in the NWSL at the moment. Utah has two matches in hand below them and Seattle has three matches in hand above them, Orlando has two, and Portland has one. North Carolina is looking odds on to claim the Shield this season as they are nine points clear already, but the Red Stars can still chase for a home semifinal. However, they need to start winning at home and starting with Saturday vs. Orlando (2:50pm, Lifetime).
SOLDIER FIELD TO HOST GOLD CUP MATCHES: Soldier Field will host matches in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup as one of a record 15 venues were chosen. The field will expand to 16 teams next year and 13 different cities were chosen to host matches. Houston’s NRG Stadium and BBVA Compass Stadium will host matches as will the Rose Bowl and the new Banc of California Stadium in Southern California. The Gold Cup skipped over Soldier Field back in 2017. Soldier Field have hosted finals in 2007 and 2013.
That’s all for now. More later.
