Chicago Fire to shock reigning MLS Cup champions
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After nine weeks of the Major League Soccer season, Toronto FC have unexpectedly secured a mere three points from 15. The Reds are the reigning MLS Cup champions and the team's star-studded starting XI makes it difficult to fathom just why the side has been so poor.
Due to the calendar schedule in North America and the overlapping of competitions, Toronto have just concluded their CONCACAF Champions League campaign. The team finished as runners-up in the competition to Chivas de Guadalajara after losing on penalties Wednesday night.
The Reds must now dust themselves off and reverse an early trend of underperforming in league play. With the Champions League finished, the club can at least focus on the remainder of the gruelling MLS season.
The Reds take on the Chicago Fire on Saturday at home. BMO Field hasn't been kind to Toronto this term as the team has secured just three of six points from the venue. It was the scene of Toronto's only victory, but that came three matches ago. The Reds have lost two straight while Chicago won away at the New York Red Bulls in their last fixture, 2-1.
Toronto's players will be coming off of a 120-minute performance in midweek and manager Greg Vanney could hold back his top players. Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore could all see limited action, if they make the bench at all. Meanwhile, influential midfielder Victor Vazquez and defender Nick Hagglund will be match time decision after suffering recent injuries.
Chicago has won once and lost once away from home in the early part of the season. The club has tallied three goals while allowing three on the road. Overall, the Fire have posted seven points from 18 possible after starting the season slowly. The team is now getting into gear and Chicago is unbeaten in three of its last four games.
The Fire concede possession to opponents as Veljko Paunovic's team has tallied just a 48.6% possession rate. The team manages a mere 8.8 shots per game, and so far, goals haven't been plentiful. Toronto meanwhile bases its play around possession football. The club is fourth in MLS in possession at 54.2%; but that is where things we go wrong for Toronto on Saturday.
Fatigued from their Champions League final match, the Reds will get caught on the counter-attack against Chicago. The Fire will eke out a victory at BMO Field and their goal may come from leading scorer Nemanja Nikolic. The striker is tied for second in league goals this term with five.
Toronto's early season woes will continue against Chicago. The combination of the Champions League disappointment and poor form in MLS will haunt the Reds at home.
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