A recent stretch of impressive offense from the Chicago Fire has some people wondering: What changed?
The first eight games of the MLS season saw the Men in Red score seven goals. Since then, it's taken just three more games to match that total. It’s not about tactics, as head coach Frank Yallop pointed out via teleconference Monday. Nothing has changed there. It’s about his players taking the chances they’ve created all season and finishing them. That confidence came to a head Saturday in a 3-0 win over the Montreal Impact.
“The clean sheet was important,” Yallop said. “That helps you with your finishing, gives you confidence that you know your guys back there are going to hold down the fort. Even if you miss a chance, you’re going to get another chance, and then you’re confident you’re going to score on that one.”
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Yallop also spoke about how the team has meshed as the season has gone on. Of the 27 Fire players, only 11 were on the roster at the end of the 2014 season. And two of them, Patrick Nyarko and Mike Magee, have yet to play this year due to injury. It’s a process that requires time before the benefits are reaped.
“The guys that have been around a little bit with me, I’ve kept saying it takes a while sometimes for everybody to click,” Yallop said. “It’s not just the guys that are coming in as new players. It’s guys like [midfielder] Harry Shipp getting used to those guys also.”
The ability of different players on the team to learn how to play well together has never been more important than during the current stretch of play. After defeating Montreal, the Fire head to D.C. United on Wednesday, then host Orlando City Saturday. A week after that, they’ll face the New England Revolution on the road. D.C. and New England are first and second in the Eastern Conference, respectively, while Orlando sits on equal footing with the Fire with 14 points (in two additional games).
With several difficult matches in a short period of time, Yallop is being very careful about whom he plays and how much he plays them. With midfielder David Accam nursing ankle and hamstring issues, Yallop opted to take him out in the 66th minute against Montreal, as the game was already in hand. Accam trained well Monday, however, and is on track to be available Wednesday night.
“What a partnership down the left side,” Yallop said of Accam and left back Joevin Jones. “They’re both unstoppable at times. When they’re on, they’re very good.”
Yallop said he’s “got a good idea what I’m going to do to keep it fresh,” which largely involves figuring out his midfield. Shaun Maloney will miss the next three games while on international duty for Scotland, and it’s still unclear when Nyarko will be fit to return. Yallop said Saturday was probably Razvan Cocis’ best game for Chicago, but he’s “not afraid” to put in Michael Stephens, Matt Watson or Chris Ritter.
On the right side, Yallop is sensing more and more confidence from Matt Polster every day. The rookie has played in all 11 matches, with 10 starts, and is showing why he’s the one guy Yallop really wanted with Chicago’s first-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
“He’s just doing that job very well,” Yallop said. “He’s settled in. His confidence is growing. I think he’s got a chance to go a long way, and he’s a really good kid. I want him to do well.”
The combinations are still subject to change based on how training goes, but Yallop’s main goal is get everyone on the same page before several big games. The team had a good video session Monday morning that left everyone feeling good about the performance.
Now, it’s on to D.C. United. With an undefeated 5-0-3 record at home, it poses a daunting test for a Chicago side searching for its first road win since July 12, 2014. Yallop never wants to lose, but that’s especially important against teams above Chicago in the standings. He doesn’t want to see the gap widened, and he knows it isn’t going to be easy.
“They’re one of those gritty teams that, even if they’re not playing well, they get results,” he said. “That’s always a sign of a good team. It’s going to be tough. We’ve done OK this year against everybody, so we’re not afraid to go in there and play our game, and hopefully it’s enough to get something out of the match. It’ll be tough.”
MORE MONDAY NOTES
– With Shaun Maloney slated to miss the Fire's next three matches while away on international duty, the question arose Monday as to whether David Accam would be called in by Ghana for the upcoming FIFA window. As of Monday morning, however, Yallop reports hearing no word of Accam being summoned for Ghana's friendly with Togo on Saturday or 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier vs. Mauritius on Saturday, June 13.
– Yallop spoke about the play of Magee, who went 60 minutes for Saint Louis FC in a 1-1 draw with Louisville City. The star forward played in the midfield for the USL side, but Yallop said it was just to find “a comfortable position so he can move the ball.” Magee felt good after his first game back, apart from the expected fatigue.
“He’s fine,” Yallop said. “No issues. Nothing really, just a little tired and sore.”
– With two quality goalkeepers at his disposal, Yallop is in no rush to make an announcement regarding a starter for Wednesday night in DC. Veteran Jon Busch has started the last two games, but not for anything Sean Johnson has or hasn’t done. The Fire have two quality goalkeepers, and Yallop feels both are worthy of opportunities.
“It’s a secret,” Yallop said of his choice. “I’ve had a good chat with both guys, and it’s entirely up to me what I’m going to do. You’ll know probably 60 minutes before kickoff what I’m going to do. I’ve got two good goalkeepers. I keep saying that, and I have no worries playing either guy.”
– Reading defender Anton Ferdinand, the brother of former England captain Rio Ferdinand, trained with the Fire on Monday. He is good friends with Marc Bircham, the Chicago assistant who coached him during his stint at Queens Park Rangers. Yallop emphasized that it is not a trial, as Ferdinand is still under contact with the Championship club for another year.
