As Frank Yallop’s side prepares to take on second-place New England Saturday night in Foxborough (6:30 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago), they do so knowing they’ll need to account for the absence of three regulars in the Fire starting XI.
Midfielder Shaun Maloney is due to miss his third consecutive match as a result of his involvement in Scotland’s efforts to qualify for next summer’s UEFA European Championship. Joining him on international duty this week, however, are midfielder David Accam (Ghana) and defender Joevin Jones (Trinidad & Tobago), who have partnered to create a dynamic attacking threat from the left flank in their debut MLS seasons.
As usual, the onus will fall on those penciled into the lineup Saturday night to maintain the offensive cohesion and pace the Fire have displayed in recent weeks.
“We’ve got Shaun, JJ and David gone this weekend, and they’ve done very well for us, but it’s an opportunity for other players to get a chance,” Yallop said following training Wednesday. “Kennedy (Igboananike)’s done well, he’s scored, he’s looked sharp and consistent, so we’re happy with him. There will be some guys who get a chance to play against New England; we just want them to go out and express themselves and obviously try to get our first away win this season.”
“For me it doesn’t matter, [Maloney, Jones and Accam] are very important players to the team but still everybody is important too,” said Igboananike, the Nigerian striker and Designated Player whose two goals and an assist over the last three matches have energized the Fire up top. “I think we can play without them. Everybody is good in the team.”
The 23-year-old Jones, who trained with the Fire Wednesday ahead of his departure, has appeared in all 13 matches for the Fire this season, playing 1,119 of a possible 1,170 minutes at left back and left midfield. But his travels this week will carry him more than 6,000 miles from Toyota Park, with Trinidad & Tobago meeting Jordan Tuesday (June 16) in an international friendly.
Jones, who has 37 career caps for his national side, also was named Wednesday to Soca Warriors manager Stephen Hart’s provisional roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup. Trinidad & Tobago opens Gold Cup play vs. Guatemala on Thursday, July 7 in Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Maloney featured for the full 90 minutes earlier this week as Scotland defeated Qatar, 1-0, in a friendly that served as a final tune-up for Saturday’s pivotal Euro 2016 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland (11 a.m. CT, FOX Sports 2). Accam, meanwhile, will suit up for the Black Stars when they face Mauritius in a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier Sunday in Ghana.
