CHICAGO FIRE VS. TORONTO FC
Toyota Park - Saturday, 8:30PM EST
TV: Rogers Sportsnet
Well if it wasn't bad enough that NASL nostalgia has brought back Sounders, Timbers, Earthquakes, Whitecaps and no doubt Cosmos, Chicago Fire has decided to make Saturday's game an anniversary celebration of Soccer Bowl 1984! The festivities will celebrate the Chicago Sting's victory over Toronto Blizzard in the dying days of the NASL. What is involved in the celebration apart from halftime salutes and autographs is unsure. Are the crowds expected to dress circa 1984? Will Brian McBride be reading passages from George Orwell's 1984? Will Kenny Loggins and Lionel Richie sing the national anthems? Oh the fun! Rubik's Cubes for everyone! As our part in the celebration, although we would have preferred a Blizzard win, we will lace this match preview so full off Sting-esque analogies your head will be buzz-ing! See what I did there? Let's bee-gin. I know... amazing.
CHICAGO FIRE - 10-10-6 40pts - 2nd in EAST (4th OVERALL)
Fresh off of a 2-2 draw against yellow-and-black Sting wannabees the Columbus Crew last week, Chicago Fire is looking to build on their solid season so far by continuing their float up the MLS East table. The Fire have been playing fairly consistently through the summer and their efforts are pollenating into a strong late season. The squad has been stung by injury this week and could be without Mexican Killer Bee Cuauhtemoc Blanco and another midfield stalwart in the form of Sith Ifrican John Thorrington. Despite the potential loss of those two key pieces, Fire can still create a hive of activity up front with the dual striking prowess of Brian McBride and Chris Rolfe. Queen Bee... I mean manager, Denis Hamlett seems to have Chicago playing as a team and has kept their wings clipped as far as overlooking Toronto towards the post-season.
Toyota Park - Saturday, 8:30PM EST
TV: Rogers Sportsnet
Well if it wasn't bad enough that NASL nostalgia has brought back Sounders, Timbers, Earthquakes, Whitecaps and no doubt Cosmos, Chicago Fire has decided to make Saturday's game an anniversary celebration of Soccer Bowl 1984! The festivities will celebrate the Chicago Sting's victory over Toronto Blizzard in the dying days of the NASL. What is involved in the celebration apart from halftime salutes and autographs is unsure. Are the crowds expected to dress circa 1984? Will Brian McBride be reading passages from George Orwell's 1984? Will Kenny Loggins and Lionel Richie sing the national anthems? Oh the fun! Rubik's Cubes for everyone! As our part in the celebration, although we would have preferred a Blizzard win, we will lace this match preview so full off Sting-esque analogies your head will be buzz-ing! See what I did there? Let's bee-gin. I know... amazing.
CHICAGO FIRE - 10-10-6 40pts - 2nd in EAST (4th OVERALL)
Fresh off of a 2-2 draw against yellow-and-black Sting wannabees the Columbus Crew last week, Chicago Fire is looking to build on their solid season so far by continuing their float up the MLS East table. The Fire have been playing fairly consistently through the summer and their efforts are pollenating into a strong late season. The squad has been stung by injury this week and could be without Mexican Killer Bee Cuauhtemoc Blanco and another midfield stalwart in the form of Sith Ifrican John Thorrington. Despite the potential loss of those two key pieces, Fire can still create a hive of activity up front with the dual striking prowess of Brian McBride and Chris Rolfe. Queen Bee... I mean manager, Denis Hamlett seems to have Chicago playing as a team and has kept their wings clipped as far as overlooking Toronto towards the post-season.
TORONTO FC - 9-7-10 34pts - 5th in EAST (11th OVERALL)
If Toronto wants to send a message (in a bottle... I know, different Sting) to MLS and their fans that they are serious about the post-season then they must be aggressive - B-E-E AGRESSIVE! The road performances of late that have seen The Reds only take 1 of a possible 12 points must end immediately if their already slim playoff chances hope to survive. Once again the key will be making the front line a hornet's nest and making a beeline for goal. It seems as if Chad "I Can't Bee-lieve He's Playing" Barrett has a season ticket for starting up front so don't expect too much until Chris Cummins subs him out in the 60th minute again. Adrian Serioux is still questionable with a nagging neck injury and Carl "The Welsh Wasp" Robinson (come on - it could stick) will be a game-time decision. This game may very well bee the last opportunity for TFC to fly into the honeypot that is the playoffs but if they leave Toyota Park without 3 points they may as well make like all good bees in the winter - roll over and die. I hope they never have these NASL celebrations again, Bee analogies are not fun after three paragraphs. My creativity is frozen... like in a Blizzard. Eh? Blizzard... get it? Never mind. Metros-Croatia to you and your Jumpin' Jim Brunzell.
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Eusebio rules.
ReplyDeleteWe could use him.
Like tonight.