Following the tough 2-1 defeat away in New England last week, the Fire begin the final stretch of MLS games at home against Toronto FC on Saturday night (7:00pm CT on My50/TWCSC). TFC are in free fall at the moment, coming off two losses to the Union in the space of three days. Here are a few tactical observations to keep an eye on.
Beating TFC with pace: Continuing with the partnership of Amarikwa and Nyassi up top
In last week's defeat, Fire coach Frank Yallop decided to push newcomer Sanna Nyassi further up the field to partner Qunicy Amarikwa in the absence of Mike Magee and Robert Earnshaw. Rekindling some of their time together with the Colorado Rapids, Amarikwa and Nyassi combined well and with some better finishing, the Fire could have taken a healthy lead into the break.
For most of the season we have seen Amarikwa getting on the end of crosses or through balls from other players but against New England he turned provider to great effect. He drifted to the left and put in a brilliant cross for Nyassi who missed a free header early in the first half before repeating the same move later in the half which resulted in Nyassi giving the Men in Red the 1-0 lead.
Nyassi also showed us something that we have seen from Amarikwa all season - pressuring a Revs player (Jermaine Jones in this case) into giving the ball up resulting in a 1v1 situation between the Gambian and Bobby Shuttleworth. Nyassi was the width of the post away from giving the Fire a 2-0 lead mere seconds after this first goal.
With Magee done for the season and Earnshaw doubtful for Saturday, I expect to see more of the same from this pairing against TFC. If both players can continue to pressure the Toronto back line and also look to get more players involved in the attack, it will only help the Fire in the quest for three massive points.
Watching out for the TFC wingers cutting inside - tracking Oduro and De Ro
In last weekend's match against the Union, new TFC coach Greg Vanney started with former Fire player Dominic Oduro and Canadian legend Dwayne De Rosario on the wings in a 4-4-2 formation.
Both players are not out and out wingers and showed this against Philly by looking to come inside as much as possible and the duo will pose different threats for the Fire on Saturday night, assuming both start again.
Oduro's pace has caused the Fire defenders problems in the past and his much-improved set up play means the Men in Red much not allow him to put crosses into the box. When Oduro does bring the ball inside from his wide positions, the Fire defenders must also not neglect to pick him up after he plays the ball to players like Michael Bradley.
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Oduro is very good at finding space in the box and there aren't many better players than Bradley at finding the runs of strikers. De Rosario has lost more than a step of pace but he still remains a threat, especially if given space to take a shot from outside the box. The Canadian veteran moves into the middle to open up space for the TFC outside back on his side to get forward whether it be Mark Bloom or Ashtone Morgan.
De Ro will not be taking on Fire players 1v1 on the wings very often, but his link play with players like Bradley around the Fire box is what needs to be limited.
The Men in Red must also be prepared for the transition between De Ro and a player like Jackson who came on in place of the Canadian last weekend. Jackson is a player with a lot more pace and the Fire must be prepared to adjust to this tactical shift accordingly.
Taking advantage of the wounded animal - starting well and putting the game to bed early
If Sanna Nyassi had taken one of his other chances in the first half against New England, the Fire could've had a two goal lead going into the half. In a must-win home match, I expect to see more of a killer instinct on Saturday evening, especially in the first half against TFC.
Plainly speaking, the Canadian team is in all sorts of turmoil both on and off the field. The players were booed off the pitch following the 2-0 defeat against the Union last Saturday afternoon and I fully expect their heads to drop if the Fire can get in front early at Toyota Park this weekend.
The stadium was as boisterous as ever in the team’s 1-0 win vs. FC Dallas on August 30 and if the Men in Red can start strongly and get the crowd riled up, I can see the opponent buckling under the pressure.
The longer the game remains at 0-0, the more it will suit the away team. The Fire have started well in the last two matches against New England and Dallas and a repeat of that with players not allowing TFC time on the ball and putting pressure high up the field could result in the Fire heading into halftime with a lead.
Prediction: The Fire score early and often - 3-1 final with goals from Amarikwa, Shipp and Nyarko.
Stephen Piggott is a contributor to Chicago-Fire.com
