Following the 2-1 loss in D.C. last week, the Fire head home to say goodbye to Logan Pause on Friday night against the Houston Dynamo (7pm CT on NBC Sports Network).
Both teams are out of the playoff picture but this game can be used as an experiment for the Fire coaching staff. That being said, here are three things the Fire could try in Friday’s match which could have implications for 2015.
Continuing with Kyle Reynish in goal – giving the keeper another chance to remain the backup in 2015
In last week’s match in DC, backup goalkeeper Kyle Reynish got his first start of the season for the Men in Red.
Coach Frank Yallop said after the game that he was pleased for Reynish and also admitted that he should have gotten a start earlier in the season but for the form of Sean Johnson ahead of him.
Reynish did look a bit rusty, especially on the first D.C. goal where he was unable to get down quick enough to prevent Chris Pontius from heading United into the lead from close range. Lovel Palmer did leave Pontius free on the back post and if he was challenged, Reynish may have had a much easier save to make.
He did come off his line quickly at times, notably making a fine leg save after Nick DeLeon got behind the Fire defense to get 1v1 with the keeper in the second half. If Reynish does indeed get the start again against the Dynamo on Friday, I look for him to also improve his distribution.
Though he did look to distribute the ball quickly, at times the execution was not what the Fire attackers would be hoping for. There is an argument for Reynish to start again on Friday and he will certainly be looking to help the team finish the season on a high note.
Experimenting with rookie Chris Ritter at center back – trying out the holding mid in a new position
Chris Ritter has had a fine rookie season for the Fire, playing in nine matches total, with eight being starts. Ritter looked at home sitting in front of the Fire back four during the majority of his minutes this season, distributing the ball well from midfield and looking dominant in the air.
It is those qualities that leads me to believe he could certainly fill in for the Fire as a center back, something we have seen Jeff Laretowicz do on countless occasions this season. If coach Yallop does try Ritter out in the central defensive role, I would expect the rookie to line up alongside either Patrick Ianni or Bakary Soumare – players with a lot of experience.
Ritter looked comfortable with the ball at his feet when pressured this season and with players like Omar Cummings and Giles Barnes in the opposition lineup, he would surely be required to display these skills again.
A potential matchup against Omar Cummings, one of the best strikers in the league at using his body, would be a great learning experience the rookie in a new position.
Starting Matt Fondy in the target striker role – giving the former Chivas player his first start of the year
Since coming over from Chivas USA in the middle of the season, striker Matt Fondy has yet to register a start for the Men in Red. He has appeared in eight MLS regular season matches, all as a substitute. During those eight matches, Fondy has failed to tally a goal or an assist.
The Houston match could be a good opportunity for the Fire coaching staff to get a look at Fondy from the start instead of his usual late sub role. Fondy is a big presence but when he has come off the bench, he often attempts to drop deep to try and pick up the ball.
Starting him in the target striker role with a player like Quincy Amarikwa playing just off him would be an interesting experiment. He is currently the only big striker the Fire have on their books and will be looking to get a contract extension for next season.
There have been numerous times this season where players like Lovel Palmer and Grant Ward have put excellent crosses into the box but the Men in Red did not have players enough bodies in there to challenge. With a player like Fondy in from the start on Friday night, the Fire wide players will have a big body to pick out.
Prediction: The Fire end the season and Logan Pause’s career with a win. 1-0 a goal from Logan from the penalty spot.
WATCH: Fire players, coaches past and present pay tribute to Logan Pause
