MLS Preview '09: Chicago Fire

Time to officially start previewing 2009, and I'm starting by going through each individual MLS club. First up is the Chicago Fire.

Many of us Toronto FC supporters will forever remember the Chicago Fire as the team we scored our first goal against, and the team we first won against. That day was May 12, 2007, when Danny Dichio, Kevin Goldthwaite, and Maurice Edu scored in a 3-1 win at BMO Field. The Fire joined MLS in 1998, and won the MLS Cup in their first year. Since then, they have won the Supporters Shield once as the league's best team during the regular season, and the US Open cup four times.

Coach: Denis Hamlett
Stadium: Toyota Park (capacity 20,000)
Average Attendance in 2008: 17,034
2008 Record: 13-10-7, second in the Eastern Conference, third in MLS
v. Toronto FC in 2008: 2-1 win @ Chicago, 3-2 loss @ Toronto

2008 Season Summary

The Chicago Fire started the 2008 season as the league's hottest team before stretches of inconsistent results ultimately placed them second in the East heading into the playoffs. The first player everyone thinks of when "Chicago Fire" comes to mind is midfield maestro Cuauhtémoc Blanco. The Mexican showed some signs of his age last season, but finished the year with 7 goals and 11 assists. The Fire's biggest acquisition in 2008 was American striker Brian McBride. We ended up sending the rights to McBride to Chicago for Chad Barrett, allocation money, and a first round draft pick in July. In 11 appearances last season, he scored 5 goals and 2 assists. Once all was said and done, the Fire ended up losing 2-1 to the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Final.

Player Movement (as of February 20, 2009)

In: Baggio Husidic
Out: Tomasz Frankowski, Diego Gutierrez, Andy Herron, Stephen King, Lidier Marmol

Outlook for 2009

As you can see above, there have been no significant additions to the Fire. This is probably because they are, in general, one of the league's deepest sides. In losing Frankowski and Herron, their strike force has gotten a little bit thinner, but in Chris Rolfe and Brian McBride, they at least have two of the league's best strikers. They also have young Patrick Nyarko, who is considered to be quite the prospect.

I think that the Fire's strongest area on the field, though, is in defense. Jon Busch was the 2008 Goalkeeper of the Year, meanwhile each of Wilman Conde, Bakary Soumare, and Gonzalo Segares, are considered to be among the league's top defenders. In 2008, only Houston conceded less goals than Chicago.

Overall, the team is pretty well set in every position. They do have a lot of veteran players, but also have a good mix of youth in their side. If everyone remains healthy, the playoffs should be a lock for Chicago, with the MLS Cup definitely not out of the question.

Star Player: Cuauhtémoc Blanco (MF/FW)
One to Watch: Patrick Nyarko (FW)

Possible Best XI

GK: Jon Busch
DF: Justin Prideaux (RB) / Wilman Conde (CB) / Bakary Soumare (CB) / Gonzalo Segares (LB)
MF: John Thorrington (RM) / Logan Pause (CDM) / Cuauhtémoc Blanco (CAM) / Justin Mapp (LM)
FW: Chris Rolfe / Brian McBride

Disclaimer: This preview is not an official preview, but my own view. Some things might be a little off, but I'm a poor college kid, not a paid reporter. If you support the team being previewed and something is wrong, or you have something to add, please leave a comment.